I had high tea today at the Millenium Biltmore in LA. Very pretty. All the bready-things were not particularly good, but the tea was delicious, the service was excellent, and the table setting (including the individual yellow rose) was beautiful.

As I sat there I thought that Mom would enjoy it tremendously, just for the ceremony. That was one thing mother was particularly good at, not creating ritual, but indulging in ritual.

I also thought that I should consider seriously what I hope to accomplish this year. Not as I did on Facebook, just a quick riff of “to do” in answer to a question on resolutions (which I did not make), but thoughtfully.

God has been very good to me this year, despite the loss of my mom (and maybe even, though I am sorry to say this, because of it). I have a full-time job, which my brother is convinced Mom arranged with God. I wouldn’t doubt it. If there was ever an advocate for her children, it was my mother. I want to be anywhere near as good as she is at that.