Reading adult books on paper or on a kindle is very demanding to Nadine – she still isn’t doing that at all. But children books with less text and bigger letters work for her. Thank god we had a little visitor yesterday to whom she could read out “the king and the ocean” in slow pace!

By the way: When we will be in Southern France in April, British band The Slow Readers Club are going to play at the Manchester Music Club Festival in Montpellier. I don’t know wether visiting a concert is a good idea, but we will think about making that trip back into 80’s style on the day given.

It’s such a relief that Nadine is allowed to leave the house on her own now. Yesterday, while I was visiting my chess club, she went to a reading by the Writers in Stuttgart. They are a group of people, mostly native speakers, who were reading poems, short stories and excerpts from their books in English language at the Dreigroschentheater.

Nadine’s American colleague Mary-Ann picked her up and and our Canadian friend Valerie was the first person to enter stage. It is still a task for Nadine to stay awake after 9 p.m., so she had to leave during the break. But: She made her way home from the Marienplatz all alone. See that as her personal contribution to the evenings theme called “Awakenings”.

It’s Wednesday afternoon. Nadine has treated me to lunch and we’ve moved on to the Green Stream juice bar for a smoothie dessert. We’ve ordered Immune Boosters and are trying to figure out what Daniela (the friendly owner) has blended to make this bright orange potion so delicious. There’s a hint of lemongrass. Some carrots. And definitely industrial quantities of fresh ginger. Our mouths are on fire, but we’re enjoying every last sip. We’re convinced this drink is working its magic on our bodies, outwitting cold season germs with its spicy punch. And even if it isn’t: who cares? This place is amazing.

I come here almost every morning on my way to work, and I was confident that Nadine would love it too. It’s a tiny little hole in the wall that you might not even notice if you walked past, but where you feel at home the moment you step inside. Always perched on her vintage velvet ottoman, Lucy the dog greets patrons with an enthusiastic bark. Daniela has decorated the place with warm colors and beautiful wall art. And if that weren’t enough to thrill you: she listens to all the right music. Honestly, I have never been disappointed. Her soundtrack makes you want to linger for hours. Today’s selection: The Smiths. Bigmouth Strikes Again is playing when we come in. It’s followed by How Soon is Now, and There is a Light that Never Goes Out. This couldn’t possibly get any better. Smiths fan that he is, we agree that Jens should really check this place out, and order some almond milk cappuccinos so we can stay for a while.

Daniela spent seven years working as a fashion designer at Hugo Boss. What looked like a dream job to many made her completely miserable: it was all strict processes and interminable working hours. It had little to do with the creative lifestyle she had always hoped for. So in 2014, she decided to quit and do her own thing. The Green Stream was born. It’s now a thriving local business, and you can tell she’s found her place in the world. She’s doing exactly what she wants, and she loves it. So this juice bar is more than just a great place to hang out. It’s a symbol of a life well lived.

While we’re sitting there, we talk about the importance of enjoying the little things in life. Sometimes I’m in the very worst of moods when I wake up in the morning, but the clouds always lift the moment I walk in here and drink my smoothie. I often meet neighborhood regulars and we shoot the breeze for a few minutes before we head to work. And in the warmer seasons, I often sit on the bench outside for few minutes and eavesdrop on the conversations of little children at the playground opposite the shop. All these things are tiny details, but they are the stuff of a happy life, too.

I think Nadine is doing an excellent job of appreciating such details right now: in spite of navigating a very difficult and unpredictable situation, she still savors and genuinely enjoys the moments of light. She appreciates the sun shining in through her patio window after a long, grey winter. She gets down on her hands and knees to play in the mud with her nephew. She takes walks in the woods. And she’s now started to venture out for lunch with friends, where we engage in inane banter and laugh at the absurdity of life. In short: she hasn’t lost herself to her illness. And all these baby steps are beginning to add up. Keep it up, girl. Eventually these moments may well outweigh the hard parts again. You have all my admiration. Xo