Friendship

UTAH

We were going to save this blog about friends for another time, but we have seen so many friends and have many more to see, that we thought we would split them up.

When we started this trip we made lists of places we wanted to see. The sights that we have seen so far have been beautiful and I wouldn’t trade them in for anything, but something changed when we visited our friends in WA. Now that we have seen many different families that we know, it has actually become the highlight of our journey. We are still seeing the beautiful sights of N. America, but the people we see mean so much more to us. The times we have spent with them, even though short, have been the best part of our trip.

Our first stop, as my husband alluded to in one of his blogs, was to see our friends Jim and Pam and their son Josh (they have a daughter Mele in the Army whom we will visit early next year). They welcomed us into their home, fed us, let us do laundry, and were just great friends all around. We were neighbors when we lived in WA 10 years ago and it felt like we never left. Pam is an unbelievable cook and I always enjoy watching her in the kitchen and eating ANYTHING she is cooking! Not to mention the great chats. Jim even worked out a way for Dad and Z to tour the Seattle Seahawks practice field and training center. That was the best thing ever, according to Z!

Next we went to see Dad’s old roommate from West Point -- Paul and his wife Kristie, along with Jackson and Hannah -- their sweet kids. They, too, welcomed us into their home and survived the loud noises of 4 additional kids in their house and a large dog taking over their backyard. We had a great time with them: talking, hiking and having an adult night out to dinner! What a treat. I even got to cook in their BIG kitchen, which is a great thing for me!!! Their hospitality was awesome and as we drove south to Portland we realized how much we would miss them as well as Jim and Pam.

In amongst the WA visit, one of my closest friends Debbie and her husband Bill flew out to Seattle for a wedding. It was so funny to see her there in the middle of our visit. We are both from NJ and grew up together and to see each other outside of our hometown was a bit strange. We only had a few short hours together, but it was great to see her and Bill. We talked like old times, but every time she leaves or I leave -- which is usually the case-- I find myself wishing that we lived closer. We couldn’t be more different in many ways, but we have a history and an understanding that you don’t often find. Great to see you, Deb!! Not to mention the fact that they are baby-sitting our cat! He loves it there and it will be hard for everyone to drag him away! But I am sure the mice, birds and rabbits will be happy to see him go. Not to mention the neighbors :)

Next on the list was a trip to Oregon to visit Dad’s cousin Stephanie and her family. She has teenagers, so you know how busy they can be. We spent most of the time chatting with Steph. She was a great hostess and cooked us all a yummy dinner and dessert. Steph is an author and she and her husband, Tim, have lived in almost as many different places that we have -although the places they have been are cooler! It was great to chat with her about her writing, her travels and her family. The last time we all saw each other was right after we got married! Time sure does fly.

This picture I took of the cousins isn't great, but that is what
you get when you use a cell phone!

Last, but not least we drove to Utah to visit friends that we had met in Germany. Dave and Judy were more than friendly and our time there was both a learning time and a fun time. All three of the big kids hung out with their kids. Best of all was our own private tour of Salt Lake City with Dave as our tour guide. My husband really enjoyed working with Dave and had described him as tremendously knowledgeable in many areas, level headed and quite humorous. His wit and the fact that he is a lawyer who analyzes things with a lawyers mind was what Dad found interesting and enjoyable. Dave and Judy and family are Mormons. Although I have read and heard a lot about their religion, it was fascinating for me to hear about their tumultuous history and why they believe what they believe. Salt Lake City is the most amazing place to hear and see the Mormon history. Although we might disagree on some levels in our faith, it was a good time to gain some knowledge and understanding of the Mormon religion. The way they honor the family is a lesson that all of us could learn from. The kids fell right back into chatting and hanging out with each other and I know that they wished to stay longer. The food and fellowship were great and we so appreciate all their hospitality.

Crazy dress up time! YIKES

Jim, whom I mentioned at the top of this blog, is actually Pastor Jim and I remember a sermon he preached 11 years ago on how much we love and enjoy looking at beautiful Mount Rainier and scenery in general. We ooh and aahh at the landscape. We anticipate those clouds moving each day in order to get a glimpse of the awesome mountain. But he reminded us that there are beautiful people all around us, sitting right next to us that should be looked at with love, admired and oohed and aahhhed at as well. He is so right. It is the people that you meet along the way that make life so much better.

Thank you friends. You all went out of your way to make our stay with you a special memory that will stay in our hearts forever.

Blessings, Mom