Dining Alone-Reflections from the Kitchen Sink
Dining Alone
I used to regularly take notice of people dining alone. I’m a bit of a people watcher, and I often run scenarios in my mind wondering what people’s stories are. I have dined alone often, but for some reason, today’s repast had a different feel to it. As I sat looking out the window of The Bistro, I had one of those life defining moments: I was the one dining alone, and I was holding the pen to my story. My widowhood is obviously part of my plot line, but it doesn’t have control the rest of the script.
I was seated next to a charming fireplace in a nook that gave me a half-moon line of sight. I got caught up a bit in the mellow tunes that were playing. There weren’t many other diners when I was there. Conversations at the other tables were only mumbles, so I was trapped in my own mind with few distractions. It didn’t take me long to drift off in a daydream of sorts. I caught myself in the realization that I was now one of those people to analyze. Ironically, I started running scenarios for my own life even though I’m acutely aware of my status. It made me uncomfortable until it dawned on me that maybe I can start something new, something that can ride for this phase two of life.
It’s not like I can become one of those global travelers though I’ve often joked about getting a small RV and becoming a domestic gypsy. I love big ol’ earrings, and Walmart let’s you park overnight for free, I’ve heard. There are several hiccups to that plot line, but, hey, a girl wearing ginormous earrings can dream, right?
I will be the first to admit waking up from the widow fog is scary. Aside from the obvious realities, it’s kind of like being thrown back to age 17. You know, when you realize you’re about to step out on your own. You’re a little hesitant about what’s around the corner, but just like a cheap horror flick, you feel the need to look.
No one necessarily likes getting older, but—SURPRISE!—it happens to everyone, and “everyone” includes your kiddos. I hope this won’t shock you: kids grow up and do their own things whether we want them to or not. That means, widowed or not, we need plans for this second phase of life without the kids always in tow.
Even a few decades removed from 17, I carry a certain naïveté about some elements of life. That inexperience, I think, might add a little spark to this metamorphosis. Guess we will find out, huh?
Gee whiz, all that from a quick stop for a salad. Glad the folks at The Bistro didn’t add that to my bill! If you go, I highly recommend the Matilda salad with salmon added. Yummo! Now I think I will go shopping for some new big earrings and daydream a bit more from here at the sink. Some good stuff comes out of my time here.
…until next time…
Bio: All Reflections from the Kitchen Sink posts are written by Melinda Campbell. Melinda is a retired educator who currently focuses her efforts on raising her two teenaged boys, advocating for individuals with special needs and against drunk driving, and serving in her local community. Melinda has been gaining recognition for her writings labeled “Reflections from my Kitchen Sink” since the tragic death of her husband Michael in 2015. In her stories, she shares observations from her daily life including moments she has as a solo parent, a widow, and a woman who battles significant health issues including fibromyalgia and depression. BIG ANNOUNCEMENT- New Kitchen Sink Merchandise-Click Here?
