It’s been years since I’ve had a roommate. Yes, I have the occasional house (flat?) guest – but rarely for more than a week at a time. I’ve not had to share my precious space with any degree of regularity for a very long time. So when I heard myself saying: ‘sure – no problem – stay as long as you like’, I shocked myself.

‘As long as you like’ turns out to be a little over a month. And I was away for most of that – so in all reality, the co-share happened for one week, with a break, and then another week. But all the time I was away, I was house-sharing, too, (except for two days). So, in effect, for the last five weeks or so, I haven’t been living on my own. And surprisingly, I’ve lived to tell the tale. Actually, I’ve quite enjoyed it.

My plants are good company but they’re not ones for talking back or offering an opinion. Spending a few hours in San Francisco pairing socks was quite a treat. Doing load after load of laundry (with a dryer) was better than a day out at Disneyland. Cooking for more than just me is downright pleasurable, especially as I don’t have to do dishes. And having my windows cleaned… now that made my year. Who would ever have thought that glass could be opaque.

I was getting a little worried there for a while that I might have gone beyond redemption, that I might no longer be fit to live with someone else. But as the inimitable GM gets ready to move across the river, I’m grateful that she’s taught me that I’m still livable with. All is not lost. What a relief!

Note: For a reminder of what the Grateful series is about, check out Grateful 52