(Lydia and Luc)

My dear friend Lydia and her partner Luc invited me to join them, her children Lore and Baziel, their beloveds Florian and Margot, and Lydia’s mom Marie-paule.

On New Year’s Day in Maarkedal.  Lovely.  I was eager to go.

On Tuesday, December 30 I got a text from Florian, saying that he was looking forward to seeing me on New Year’s Eve.

Huh?

I wrote back, saying that I was invited to come on Thursday, not Wednesday.

And then my mind slowly unravelled, remembering past times when I was excluded … and knowing that this was another one.

On New Year’s Eve I sat at home, imagining the party that everyone but me was enjoying.  The sadness enveloped my body and soul.

Luc picked me up at the Ronse train station early Thursday afternoon.  I was still sad.  Then he mentioned that on Wednesday evening he and Lydia had been at her friend Ann’s place.

Huh?  I thought about the party I wasn’t invited to.

The one that didn’t exist

Florian had simply got the date wrong.  My mind did the rest.  Silly mind.

The eight of us had a marvelous time on New Year’s Day … exquisite food and drink, lovely conversations, and Lydia gave me a bright red tie – my favourite colour.

(Sigh)

I am humbled once again

And included