The Cúpla Sisters have two female ancestors who bore the name Mary Hollyday. The surname was variously spelled Hollyday, Haliday or Holliday. This unusual name helped me track their ancestral line to Sir Leonard Holliday who was a founder of the East India Company and a Lord Mayor of London. I found Sir Leonard’s life instructive in one regard. Those under his supervision were driven so hard that they called their toils “Holiday Work.” I suppose much was accomplished, but at what cost?
Zin’s
Sometimes our “Holiday Work” is the result of self-imposed perfectionism, but sometimes it is the result of forces beyond our control. During the last month, the Cúpla Sisters have, at times, felt overwhelmed by worry and care for an ill relative. Everyone has faced similar events. At those times, more than any other, it is challenging but necessary to find “A Little Vacation Every Day.”
Zin’s
Beth Ann and I took a lunch break away from the hospital to walk a few blocks on an unseasonable warm day. We happened upon Zin’s restaurant and enjoyed leaf-lettuce salads with strawberries and blueberries. The waitress happened to be one of Beth Ann’s former students. Just that short break, in Zin’s tasteful and quiet surroundings, gave us time to dream about some creative projects and momentarily dismiss difficulties.