Such is the nature of a busy life, when you must travel 2,000 miles to northern California to make time to see neighbors and friends that live two blocks from you in your hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas.
Winding Road
You never know how life will wind its way. This past week, Grady and I wound our way to San Francisco and then up to Sonoma County to see a child we’ve known since birth get married to a young lady who, on this wedding weekend, was lovingly dubbed by her besties “The Persian Barbie.”
The first “get acquainted night” was like a reunion. As each guest arrived at the meet and greet we screamed, hugged each other, and promised little but sincere lies “to make time to see each other once we’re back home.”
Wedding Plans
With a wedding in our family’s near future (son Jack, the youngest, is marrying in September), I was taking notes. After the first night of hugs and kisses, we settled into the marriage weekend. The groomsmen golfed in the day and at night we drank the local wine (except husband Grady who, on May 21st, will be celebrating 6 years sober, and is loving it, I might add).
On the last day we met for brunch and goodbyes in the park, a town square directly across the street from the Presidio of Sonoma Barracks with the adjoining Toscano Hotel and Saloon museum. In the park was the Bear Flag Statue commemorating the Bear Flag Revolt against the Mexican Government and marking the first American flag flown over California. Later, in 1850, California officially joined the Union, hoisted the American Flag to its place of prominence, and the Bear Flag later became California’s official state flag.
In reading the history, what Grady and I found most interesting was that in 1836, when Arkansas received statehood, this part of California was still a part of Mexico.
Back Home
The weekend was fun, but as always, it’s rewarding to return home to a busy life. And though we made pacts to visit more with our neighbors, some of which live close enough to chip a golf ball onto their porch, we probably won’t see many of them again until September, when they make time out of their busy schedule to come to Ohio to attend son Jack’s wedding.
