Ever since I've been "post retirement" working, I'm finding it impossible to get together with many of the people I'd like to be with. Last year, it was the pandemic. This year, it's been work exhaustion. What will it be next year?
What I find strange is that the older I get, the harder it is to meet with people. Some of the people I know are dying off. Some are moving away to retirement residences (in low tax states). Then, some are taking care of others, and not able to get out to do things for themselves. In short, everyone has a life, and we're all trying to make as productive use of our time as possible.
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Recently, I got together with FH after several weeks of looking for a time we could get together. We had a nice day talking about life and catching up on things. Of course, I wasn't going to screw up a day with MWL to spend a Saturday with her. Vicki #2 is impossible to meet up with these days, as she has important family problems of her own that she's dealing with. And I haven't seen my brother in what seems like ages. We all have responsibilities that we have to manage, and I respect my family, friends, and acquaintances for doing just this.
The other day, I found out that a cruise I was thinking of taking was sold out. As a result, I realize that I now have an opportunity to see some people I haven't seen in years. The first is a transwoman I know who has cancer. I know her through a woman who once was a close friend. If I see this transwoman, it will have to be soon, as I know what cancer can do to a person. In better times, I'd offer a seat to this former friend on my trip. It's doubtful that the two of us could be civil long enough to visit my acquaintance - so I will not even suggest it. (Neither of us were pleased by our last communication, and I don't want a repeat of this incident.) Since it doesn't make sense to gamble on being in this city just for the sake of visiting this acquaintance, I'll make sure that I'll visit the usual tourist spots and get together with someone I met on one of my cruises. The second person I'd meet is a train buff who reads this blog. It'd be nice to catch up with her in Baltimore when I finally get to visit the B&O Railroad museum. If I was lucky on this part of the trip, I'd also get to meet a transwoman (and her wife) who I haven't seen since my only trip to Fantasia Fair.
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Several people I know have moved to Florida over the years. I am not in a rush to go there. But when I do, I will try to visit them. Yet, assuming I do, I will need to make sure that my trans identity doesn't get in the way of doing things. It'd be nice to see YGM again....
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Years ago, my wife and I went to the wedding of the daughter of my late uncle once removed. (That is, my grandmother's brother's daughter, my cousin once removed.) I don't remember much about that day, save that we didn't get to the church on time. Since then, her dad, then her mom passed away. My brother and I talked about going to visit her, but never did. Hopefully, I will get the chance to see her soon.
