Mary’s Back
I am so glad to be in touch and miss seeing and visiting with each and every one of you. It has been a very positive experience entering into a new chapter after the sale of the Bistro. My pace has certainly not slowed down; I am busy but am able to do so at a more mindful and contemplative tempo. My transition to “civilian” life has been easy thanks to the foresight and planning to have it do so in a seamless manner.
I reflect on the 40 plus years that I was part of an iconic Detroit family of restauranteur’s as a gift. The good times were many and an integral part of my daily life. Of course there were tough interludes, as many of us have experienced: ups and downs of the economy, world affairs that have been more than challenging and of course, the loss of loved ones and the loves of our lives. The troubled periods were motivational and kept my drive in high gear. I am grateful for the support of everyone who encouraged and supported me in many positive ways. Thank-you! The first few months after the sale of the Bistro were spent tying up loose ends. I am proud of what I have accomplished during a career that has encompassed so much – personally and professionally. I know that some of my future undertakings will still be entwined with the warm-heartedness that defines hospitality. The opportunities that I have are very exciting. It will be a challenge to choose one over. A few are total “stretches,” and thus the most intriguing to me. I look forward to sharing my new adventures soon.
My family is well. Mom celebrated a wonderful 94th birthday in March with family and lots of golf, tennis and work friends. Ponies and pups are great. I have a new horse partner that I “met” on a “horse-search” in the Netherlands late October last year. His name is Don Juan de Luxe, we call him DJ. He is incredibly kind and talented. He’ll be a good school master as he is trained at a much higher level than me. I will tell you more about him next time. Both he and Kos are my horse teachers, but in different ways. I learn from them, and they from me. It is very cool. Courtney continues to come to the barn on a regular basis and, at 95 she’s “moved up” to grooming Kos and DJ, both of whom are really, really big and young and frisky. But, she gets right in with the brushes and combs, gives them a light, reassuring pat and a whisper of “good boy.” They settle in and let her curry away. I put the saddle on, only because it is heavy, but she does the girth. I want to be like Courtney at 95. Maddie and Sophie, my doggie guardian angels are constantly at my side. If I move, they move with me. Some things never change though; if there are deer in the woods Sophie is chasing after them and totally ignores my calls for her to come home. Maddie will give me an “I’m sorry look” and follow after her. Thank heavens my neighbors are well spaced as I am often trudging after them in my PJ’s and boots with a flashlight at 6:30 AM. A sight to be seen…
I sincerely hope that everyone is happy and healthy. You are in my thoughts and heart.
“It Seems They Had Always Been and Would Always Be friends. Time Can Change Much, But Not That.”
Many Wishes for a Million Dollar Day!
XXOO,
Mary, Maddie, Sophie, Kos and DJ
