SWEET FRIENDS

Today some of my friends drove out to spend time at one of the most special places on earth: Salem Willows.  They humored me and tried all the strange popcorn bar flavors from E.W. Hobbs and several of us walked away with snaps after rocking some skee ball and air hockey.  I'm heading off on an long adventure tomorrow, and it was great to spend time with these people at this place.  It was tasting a bit of the summer that might have been while looking forward to the summer that will be.

MOTHER'S DAY: BACK TO 1988

It's been a while since it was just the three of us celebrating mother's day.  It's probably been since May 1988 (I suppose Mike was sort of there, but we couldn't see him, so it was sort of just us).  We've certainly missed The Wedge this week, but having lunch with them to celebrate Mom today, and having dinner together earlier this week for Dad's birthday, I've had a chance to soak up their friendship.  I've got really special parents and I love this picture of them.  I wish I had met them back in the early 80s when they met each other--Studly Tom and Susan the Artist in their late 20s--that would have been great.  But I'm glad I know them now: devoted, silly, hopeful, creative, patient, generous, tried, true.  They walk with God deeply and steadfastly, together and separately.  And they always point me back to what it is all about, encouraging me to have faith and trust God at all times.  It's an honor to be their daughter.