It was a little over two years ago when I visited here the last time. The biggest change is in the grand children. The two youngest were then 15 now they are 17 and 18 and driving their own cars. Cars have new license plates. But with the economic slowdown of the previous years the neighborhood has not changed much. The last time when I had been away for a similar period, between my 2005 departure from the West Coast and my 2007 arrival in Virginia, the changes were more pronounced. Much bigger homes, trash cans, more obesity and the culture shock coming from spending two years in the South Pacific, S.E. Asia, Indian Ocean and South America.
Last Sunday I attended the 8.30 mass at my parish in Gig Harbor and met a number of my old friends there. Saturday is the big party for Lisa’s 50th birthday. She has rented a hall in Tacoma for the evening. All her siblings will be there except her youngest sister Jeannine, who lives in Virginia. But she will complete my family on May 3rd for the wedding of my oldest son, John.
I booked my flight for the wedding, arriving in Long Beach on May 2nd and returning to Seattle on May 13. And in that period I intend to visit with friends in Palm Springs, the San Diego area, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.
Mt.Rainier from Lisa’s home.
My new work area at my Daughter #2 in Federal Way.
