Spring Time?

Had to drive out to Granite Falls north of Seattle to a funeral service for a co-worker, Keith Desrosier. He was only 46. He'd had a kidney transplant a few years ago and he was mentally disabled a bit, probably not the right term, but he learned how to do a job at Perkins and for almost 20 years he was reliable, easy to get along with, and well-liked by the many people he met. The weather was raining, hailing, snowing, sun shining....something different every few minutes. The service was at a Grange Hall and most of the people were locals who knew Keith's family. Nice things were said, memories shared, and after there was food. I met Keith's Dad and we had a moment as two fathers who have lost sons. But, what's that worth? The loss is still there, the absence a painful empty place all the time. They played some country song about a boy meeting his grandpa in heaven and ..... and it's a sweet thought for a moment that is followed by a bitter anger over the reality that a song doesn't change. He's gone and I'm here, wondering why. I went out into the parking area, which was a pasture, and stood for a minute with partly cloudy sky, light hail coming down, and looked at the countryside with some trees starting to bloom. It is spring, tulips are up in some yards, and I'll never see another without a deep awareness, much more than I have had for most of my life, that it signifies not new life, but the passage of time.

Fortunately, this spring, in just two more weeks will see us off to Germany to visit to our dazzling girl in time for here birthday on May 15. We fly from Seattle to Frankfurt non-stop. Ten hours flight time and we'll be in another world and I'm looking forward to it. Paderborn, to meet Lauren's friends and see her life as FULBRIGHT TEACHING ASSISTANT! Then Paris and Amsterdam, with a chance to cross paths with Ananda and Linda and also with different couple from Seattle, Doug & Susie Bruce.

I was just in Chicago and San Francisco on business. Sun was shining in both places, but not when we got back to Seattle. I found myself in San Francisco walking about in the sun, with cool air, and the busy streets of the Financial District wondering why in the world we don't live there. Just love that city.

So, enough for tonight. Going to be very busy two weeks at work so I can be gone for three weeks.

Sunday Night at the Movies

We just watched "The Comedian Harmonists" a German movie set in the late '20's and 30's in Germany. It's a true story about six men who develop a singing act that is wildly popular. Unfortunately, half of them are Jewish. Political and social reality gradually intrudes on their lives and success. It's quite good and at the end the credits provide details on each person's later life. The lead character migrates to America, serves in the Army, and lives in San Francisco until 1998. Which means, though I never knew him, I lived where he did. That history was somewhere in the City, maybe I hauled him in my cab or rode a Muni with him. You never know the stories and rich histories of the people you pass each day, but it's there...so show some respect, eh?

Odds and Ends

Kathy got home today from visiting Woodlees in Watrous New Mexico.

I managed to get most of the house cleaned a bit for her return. Cats did not starve or runaway, either.

So, our little pink house is doing fine. Hopes yours is, too.

My nephew Sean had his birthday yesterday. 39 years old....Jack Benny time.