Flying Lessons #27
I remember my first plane flight. I was in high school and I flew from John Wayne Airport to San Jose to visit my friend Gaylynn Terry. We had been friends since we were little and had kept our friendship intact even though she had moved to Fountain Valley and then Walnut Creek while I…
When friends become Family #26
I am not sure when it happens. I am not sure how it happens … or why, but I know that it happens. I grew up in a home in California and we did not live near our blood relatives. My mom’s family lived on the east coast and my dad’s relatives are from the…
The Dating pool
I was asked, again, if I ever considered dating and getting remarried. My answer hasn’t changed. I had a good marriage and I really never considered doing it again. But at the same time I miss companionship every day. Jim’s friendship. And even after 14 years without him the aloneness seems stronger every day instead…
My Brothers #25
I have 2 brothers and they both have birthdays in June. My brother Jonathan turned 60 this week and David turned 58. Growing up they shared a room and they had some of the same comparison and squabbles, jealousies and issues that my sister and I did. I am sometimes startled at how much my…
My Sister #24
What can I say about my sister that I have not already shared?! Today is her anniversary – married to Chris for longer than I was married to Jim. Since the Friday posts are about my family memories, I will share a few about my sweet sister. First of all she is creative, beautiful and…
Father Friday #23
With Father’s day coming on Sunday, I cannot help but think about dads. My dad. Jim’s dad. Jim. I think I will share a memory of each, Jim’s dad was a #7 out of 9 children. He was smart and resourceful. Raised in southern California, Lionel was an eagle scout, served in the Navy during…
Books #22
I grew up in a home that valued learning. One of the ways was this was evidenced was by the vast number of bookshelves filled with books, often double deep and sagging middles due to the weight of all the volumes. Books and magazines were often overwhelming coffee tables, sofa cushions and more. You might…
Happy One year Anniversary C & A!
June 4, 2023. One year! Dear Clayton and Amanda – The farther I get from being married the less I feel I can give advice. It feels irrelevant and yet I remember so much that I learned by being married to your dad. You have one year down and many more to go! Perhaps you…
Church Families #20
My parents are not from California and so when we migrated west we were far away from people who shared our DNA. We did maintain relationships with our southern roots and our family on the east coast as we made regular treks to visit them (the added bonus was learning about the country by traveling…
Family Fridays #19 Aunts
Does anyone else out there have one of “those” aunts?! There are all kinds of aunts, of course, but I am referring to the kind of aunt that pinches your cheeks, squeezes you tight or give little tickles. The kind that buys you books and teaches you things such as how to bake or create…