When Brannon got involved with that California boy a few years ago we didn't imagine that his parents would become such good friends and we'd get to share each others homes so often.
Of course Sheila and I come out way ahead in the lodging department, but they have twice stayed with us now as well. We almost always stay with John's parents --for many days in a row -- whenwe visit in California. We sleep in their spare room, eat fruit right off their orange and tangerine trees, pet their dogs and cat and tortoise, share many meals, and enjoy good conversation. I certainly had no idea that John's dad would love storytelling as much as I do and even come to Rome to compete in the Big Fibbers Contest twice -- winning second place his first time! Nor did we expect that his mom would share our love for botany and the great outdoors. She has hiked over half of the Pacific Crest Trail and spends weeks at a time hiking alone or with friends through the mountains of California, Oregon, and Washington. And she is the volunteer "Australia" gardener at Vista's beautiful botanical gardens where I love to walk
Our lives have been enriched by getting to know and love Danny and Renata Carlin, their children including our beloved son-in-law, assorted other friends and relatives, and especially Renata's wonderful 97-year-old mother, Irmgard Huzel.
This ornament was a gift from Danny and Renata, who are now not only our daughter's "in-laws" but also our dear friends to whom we are forever bound by our shared love for John and Brannon and our beautiful granddaughters, Clementine and Ruth.
 |
| LR: Terrell (GrandShaw), Lillian (Aunt Lil), Sheila (Granny), Irmgard (Oma), Brannon (Mommy), Ruth, Renata (Gamma), Danny (Papa), John (Dada), Clementine (Big Sister) at Ruthie's baptism, Faith Lutheran Church, Vista, California. |
No comments:
Post a Comment