Recently I went to a local community theatre by myself. This was the first time I had gone somewhere alone since Janet died. My son had accompanied me to many places, but he has a job and can’t go to everything.
I made a reservation for one and when I arrived I found myself in the middle of a full row except for one seat to my left. Janet usually sat to my left when we went to the theater.
As the play progressed I found myself patting the seat when something happened on stage that Janet would have found funny. Or when someone made a mistake, and that would amuse her too.
It was a sad play so I don’t think she would have liked it very much. The reason I wanted to see it was because I knew several people in the cast, and I like to show up and encourage my friends. So I’m sure Janet would have been a good sport and come along just to make me happy.
She’s still making me happy.
I’m sure there are people who sneer at little coincidences like this, saying it is nothing but a coincidence. Others might not see it as a coincidence but be troubled by it, possibly even leaving the theater because that empty chair made them too sad.
I don’t care if it is all in my head. What’s in my head is all I got anyway, and Janet’s always going to be in my head.
And that’s fine with me.