Last week’s WOWs were big and small. They also felt like investments in my future.

The ESPN promotion finally aired. I shared this WOW! in a post earlier this week, but I wanted to share how much fun it was to sit in anticipation of something. ESPN filmed the spot in July, and we weren’t supposed to share anything about it on social media until September 2. The release of the song gave me something to look forward to. While you can’t spot me on the video, knowing I was there when it happened was fun.

I made a new friend. I joined a local widow’s group shortly after David died. Most of the women have been widowed for at least a year. A few weeks ago, I met Vicki. Her husband, John, died two months before David. Vicki invited me to spend the afternoon at her beautiful old farmhouse. We had lunch and sat on the porch, talking and watching the hummingbirds battle. Although I wouldn’t wish widowhood on anyone, making a new friend who shares this experience feels good. 

I got to tour an acclaimed artist’s studio. Vicki’s husband was a renowned woodturner. His work is in museums around the world. I visited the workshop where he crafted amazing pieces out of wood. I also got to see pieces in various forms of completion. What makes this an extra special WOW! is that I watched “The Last Thing He Told Me” on Netflix as I sat next to David’s bed at the hospice facility while he slept. The series is about a woodturner. I had never heard of that art form and found it fascinating. Now, it seems like foreshadowing.

I changed the batteries in my smoke detectors … by myself. This doesn’t sound like a big WOW, but you need to know that our house has nine- and 10-foot ceilings. I climbed the ladder myself to change out the batteries. I have a fear of falling, so this was a win. One of the seven smoke detectors had chirped, and I decided to go ahead and change them all. 

What were your WOWs last week?