To Old Friends and Daughters

Our gathering yesterday was wonderful and emotional. John and Harold were classmates at CalTech (note John's sweatshirt which he dragged out of a bottom drawer in honor of the occasion). Anne and Harold celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary a few weeks ago and we will be celebrating our 62nd in a few days. We have celebrated so many of life's ups and downs with each other that we truly feel that we are all family.  We have been to both their children's weddings and they have been to all three of ours. The last time we saw their daughter, Ingelisa,  (partially hidden behind her mother in the picture) was ten years ago when we all celebrated Anne and Harold's 50th anniversary in Yosemite.

Anne is a person I have always turned to for her sensible and pragmatic take on life in general and its challenges in particular. The fact that she had a stroke several years ago which necessitated leaving their beloved home in Corvallis and moving to Southern California where their children live, is a testament to her determination to live life to the fullest every day. And Harold, who has had his own challenges, has been by her side every step of the way.  

I think the picture in extras that they sent of their participation in their No Kings protest says it all....
 
We are fortunate indeed that we have daughters who are always standing by to assist. We were able to see them thanks to Ingelisa, who drove them up here,  and Dana, who has offered to drive us to Southern California to see them.  I will save my ode to the sons-in-law for another time, for they certainly deserve it also.

We all met at Trail House this morning to continue our reminiscing where we left off last night. We could probably have stayed there all day but they had a long drive home today. Crystal took our picture in front of the beer case (John's request), saying, '3,2,1 beer' as she snapped off several good shots with my camera.  

Their visit was all too short and we will miss them, but we will stay in touch as we always have....