Jessica Walsh

Did you see Timothy today?
Yes.

What did y’all do together?
We went to Easter brunch on the Upper East Side with Tim’s old teacher Sara from The School of Visual Arts. I was impressed by how sharp she is for an 85-year-old lady. We talked about everything from the latest museum shows, the TV show Girls, to politics.

Did anything interesting happen?
Spending time with Sara reminded me of my grandfather who passed away years ago. Easter was one of his favorite holidays, and I couldn’t help but become nostalgic at brunch. I remembered how he’d give me a chocolate bunny every year. I’d only eat the ears.

One Saturday over five years ago, my grandfather was rushed to the hospital with heart problems. I spent the day with him, and when visiting hours were almost over, I couldn’t muster the courage to tell him how much I loved him. The next morning I missed the 8:05 train from Grand Central Station to Harrison, NY by a matter of minutes. When I finally arrived, I knew from the look in my mom’s eyes that he was gone. He passed only ten minutes before I got there. I was devastated that I never got to tell him how much I loved him. My mom suggested that I hand write him a letter. However, Poppy was proud that he learned to email just a few weeks earlier, so I emailed him my letter instead.

Poppy spoiled my grandma with love, attention, and so much food! He did everything for her. My mom always told us that we should never settle unless a guy treated us like this. I looked for this in relationships when I was younger, but I always felt that it’s unattractive when a guy holds me too highly on a pedestal. When Poppy passed, my grandma didn’t know how to take care of herself. I think it’s good to find the right balance of mutual support, with the occasional spoiling on both ends, but I don’t want to ever depend on a guy.

Did you learn anything new about Timothy?
Tim interacted with Sara with patience and kindness, which was nice to see! He told me about his own grandparents, and how close he is to them. It’s nice to hear that family is important to him, too.

Did you learn anything new about yourself?
Poppy imparted so much wisdom to my family over the years. He was full of what my family would call “Poppyisms,” which were sayings that he’d repeat to us over and over and over and over.

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How do you feel about this relationship/project right now?
Like the last couple days, my headaches today were severe. I didn’t feel up for going to brunch, but it sounded important to Tim that I meet Sara, so I dragged myself there. It’s really hard to enjoy anything these days, I am in so much physical pain.

Is there anything that you want to do differently?
Poppy always said that if you have your health, you have everything. I need to take care of this headache situation. Friday I have an appointment to go to a neurologist, maybe they will have better insight than my regular doctor. So it goes.

Additional comments?
Tim was silent when Sara and I were discussing the most recent gallery and museum shows around New York. I’m only now realizing he doesn’t enjoy the art world as much as I do.