‘Twixt the optimist and pessimist, the difference is droll.
The optimist sees the donut, the pessimist, the hole.

That was one of my favorite little ditties when I was a kid, although I haven’t thought about it in years. But today it feels like such an apt metaphor for so much of my weight loss journey. It’s been a struggle to identify all the good things I’ve done for myself and the healthy things I’ve eaten, instead of focusing on the sweets I craved or the junk food I passed up.

But, you know, the mind is a powerful thing.

Yesterday at our farewell party, which was at Devin’s tennis club near the Bay, the weather started off kind of marginally, and then got progressively windier and colder. This being San Francisco, I had naturally brought a sweater with me (even though the day before it had been blisteringly hot). August here can be really chilly.

Unfortunately, our guests from outside the city (where it was still hot) arrived in t-shirts and shorts and other attire appropriate to a proper summer. Soon enough, many of them were shivering and wrapping themselves up in towels from the swimming pool. Towards the end of the party, you could actually see people’s breath, it was so cold!

I felt bad that a number of people left because they just couldn’t stand being outside anymore, despite the good food and company. I was thinking that we should have thought to hold it at a different part of the club, not so exposed to the elements. Maybe even inside, where we would have escaped the bitter cold altogether.

Interestingly when we got home after the party, Devin and I ran into our neighbors across the hall. When they inquired about how it went, Devin cheerily stated “Oh it was AWESOME! The sun came out!”

I was actually speechless.

Because Devin was right. The party was really good and fun. I had a nice time and was really, really touched by all of my friends who showed up. Afterwards, we spent a half hour in the (nice and toasty) jacuzzi at the club, where we soaked in the warmth and relaxed from all of the party preparation.

And he was also right about the sun. For at least the first hour, right at the beginning of the party, it did break through the clouds and put in a respectable appearance.