It’s been a rough year in many ways. Since last April, coming to grips with the death of a dear friend, Olivia Cadaval, and adjusting to a “new normal” after major back surgery, makes you appreciate the little things in a weird way. In this case, getting out of the house and meeting an old friend for some botanical therapy.

My friend Cathy and I made a date a couple of months ago to visit the latest Smithsonian orchid show which is at the National Museum of African American History and Culture this year. She has been through her own medical and personal traumas the past couple of years. At the time, winter was still hanging on and, though we talk frequently on the phone, we had not seen each other in person in ages.

Like most things these days, “we penciled the date in.” Would we feel up to it, physically and mentally? Would the weather behave? Some days, even venturing the relatively short distance to downtown DC seems beyond energy and motivation levels.

We made it, though. Over mac and cheese and black-eyed pea salad at the Sweet Home Cafe, we caught up with family news, spent the least time possible talking about our ailments, shared memories of our mutual friend Olivia, and laughed.

Then we wandered through the orchid exhibition, marveling at their beauty and utility, and the interesting connections to African American researchers, collectors, growers, and celebrities who have orchids named after them. (Having worked with her tangentially, I was glad to see one was named after Bernice Reagon Johnson!)

As we walked (slowly) back to the Metro to head home, we congratulated ourselves. We did it! We survived the winter, our various aches and pains, and other possible obstacles, and had an outing that made us feel – well, a bit exhausted, but also happy. We are planning another downtown “date” soon. Meanwhile, enjoy a few snaps of the orchids, and catch the show yourself if you are in DC and haven’t already!