And here we are in PDX, in the PDT time zone! Lynne has acclimated to the 16hr plane ride from Jo’burg to NYC quicker and better than my slow burn as she is more accomplished at this point. I run out of things to do and my neck starts to bend in new and different ways thanks to being too tall for the seats to sleep comfortably. Hmmm, “sleep comfortably”....on a plane...... in coach; a true oxymoron if there ever was one.
We arrived in New York early in the morning, left our stuff at the hotel and went to Manhattan via the subway to see Central Park. It was amazing; clean, safe, HUGE, friendly. Something, in my ignorance, I didn’t expect. We were caught by a rain storm and delighted in the familiar odor of “east coast wet”. We walked to Times Square where we were overcome with and by the people/tourists and fatigue, ultimately fleeing back to the hotel to sleep then leave for the NW the next morning.
It was delightful to be met at the airport by Aven, TJ, Belle, Bethany, and Olivia. Hugs and greetings of longing all around, a night’s sleep and then, on the 4th, a trip to Hood River. It’s fair to say that I was floored about how unprepared I was for my reaction as we drove up the Gorge. Call me naïve, but I was overcome with a sense of déjà vu, a sense of “what was I thinking?!!”, as we drove past Multnomah Falls, the Osprey nests, through Cascade Locks and into our old home town of 22 yrs. We parked at my old office and met up with friend after friend as we watched the famous Hood River 4th of July Parade wherein half of the population is in it as the other half watches. Every kid on roller-skates, every jacked up pickup, every swim club, ball team, politico, and anyone who wanted to advertise their business was in it. We finished the day in our old neighborhood with a classic barbecue; too much of everything including nostalgia, food, and laughter. It was great.
We returned to HR later that week to see old friends and haunts. We spent the evenings at MJ and Michael’s home above Mosier where we had an apartment and could try to catch up to ourselves. They are great friends and fellow swimmers from our previous lives, so generous and kind. Monday we “swam” with the team, ate huge breakfasts, and had a chance to see eagles, The Hook, drink too much good coffee, and read "The Oregonian". I had my eyes and teeth examined and get to return to have a ‘drill and fill” on one of my teeth. It would seem that in addition to having an asymmetric head I also have an asymmetric jaw that causes stress on my teeth. Jeez I just can’t get enough mileage from those guys.
The past weeks have been filled with grandchildren as Forrest and Shannon have adopted twin newborns; Asher and Cora and now have three kids less than 21 months of age. It was a difficult week as they struggled to seek out a space where they could anticipate the additions to their family and care for the mother who was placing them; amazingly moving and courageous on all parties’ parts. Judah is a great brother and is getting that role figured out. Belle is four months, long and tall, and filling out. She loves to seek stimulus and enjoys motion. But to her credit is sleeping well and working on her fourth chin.
Eli and Amber, our son and daughter in law, have arrived. Yesterday we had our first Family Council Meeting. We’ll have more but this one gave us each an opportunity to acknowledge and explore. Forrest and Shannon were present by speaker phone as were the g’kids. Our family is changing and sentiment runs the spectrum but several things remain and persist, our love and devotion to our (nearly) spouses, the extended family Pendleton, and working out how we can be in each other’s lives. Tomorrow we “swim” with the team, have some medical appointments and lunch in HR. Thursday I have another, and last, chance to swim with the team, then a radio show, a real homage to simpler times and a true treat, and finally a noon presentation with the medical staff at my old hospital.
Now on to the wedding!
