A Tub Full of Trouble

When our children were little we always had an assortment of pets. We always had cats and sometimes had turtles. We also had a little dog for a number of years. No home is complete without a purring cat or other favorite pet.

When I cleaned the turtle bowl I would often let the turtles swim in the tub for awhile. One day little two year old Laura decided to add some kittens, toilet paper and more water to the tub of turtles. Thankfully I found the kittens before disaster struck. But one of the kittens had a cast on its leg and did not need any more trauma in its life.

Children and pets are quite an interesting combination. You will never be bored with this mixture. When our son Bill was in the second grade we had so many pets that his whole class came to our house to see our zoo.

image credit: abcrumley

Two Precious Daughters

Lovely and full of grace; in my heart there is a place for my dear daughters. My life would not be complete without my two sweet girls. They learned their lessons as they should at my knee reading books and in Sunday School. They heard the story of Jesus and accepted Him into their hearts as soon as they understood the message of His love for them.

Playing school and playing house as well as making mud pies and what was called giant stew were fun to do. The park and the beach in sunny Coronado were activities to make a day complete. Riding on the ferry on San Diego Bay could also make their day. Going to the San Diego Zoo was also a favorite thing to do.

I remember when they each started school and had the same kindergarten teacher as I did. Kathy had one of my classmates as her second grade teacher. Kathy even baby sat for the kitty of one of her sibling's teachers. The girls took their lessons in school to heart and did their very best. They enjoyed the good grades earned upon completing a project. Laura had the same sixth grade teacher as I had in Coronado. They had other teachers that I had too. A favorite was my high school homemaking teacher which Kathy also had the privilege to learn from each year she was in high school.

Kathy was lucky to be able to graduate from Coronado High School in 1973, thus being the third generation to graduate from CHS. That same year Laura graduated from Coronado Junior High making her the third generation to do so. That was an eighth grade graduation. The next school year we had moved so Laura went to Montgomery Junior High for ninth grade. She also had junior high graduation from ninth grade at Montgomery. That year Kathy went to Southwestern Community College where she eventually graduated. In 1977 Laura graduated from Montgomery High School.

Laura still has a dear friend that she met in high school. Bea has been a blessing for us to know. Over the years Laura has had several special friends. It has been sad for her to lose contact with them along the way. She thinks of Maggie quite often. They were childhood friends and neighbors. These are the friends that help shape our lives. We are in contact on facebook with one of her childhood friends who was also a neighbor. That is a blessing. She remembers us taking her to Sunday School and Church. We have made memories with other children this way too.

When Laura was two and a half and Kathy was five they got a baby brother, Paul William Marvin, III. We call him Bill but his friends call him Paul. Then two years later they got another baby brother, Griffith Hughes Marvin. We call him Griff. They are both named after family.

Kathleen Jean has my middle name, Jean. She has always been called Kathy. Laura Elizabeth has my grandma Pearl Elizabeth's middle name. I like family names. And I love my family!!!

Another Sweet Baby Girl

Paul arrived home from Korea after being there for a long sixteen months. It was a time of getting to know each other all over again. He soon started a new civil service job at a nearby Navy base, and I continued my job as a wife and mommy.

We always went to church together on Sundays. I also continued as a Sunday School teacher as I had been doing since I was sixteen years old. I enjoyed working with kindergarten aged children. At times over the years I worked in the nursery too. I had also been baby sitting since I was thirteen years old. My favorite job was at home with my little daughter Kathy and my husband Paul.

It was not long before I was expecting another baby. But I wasn't feeling as good as I should and soon found out that I had a large cyst on my ovary and would need surgery before too long. We did not have insurance yet so I went to what was then the County Hospital to have this surgery. I managed to make all the arrangements without the help of my husband or anyone else as I was pretty independent. Except that I needed the signature of an adult, as twenty year olds were not considered adults in that day and age. It was later that the age of becoming adults was lowered to eighteen.

I was brave as I faced this surgery and did not even choose to tell my pastor or anyone at my church what was going on. I did not yet know to lean on the Lord either. I didn't even tell my good neighbor till after the fact. I'm sure that my pastor and neighbor would have wanted to know what was going on. I now know that we need to share these things so others can walk with us through our trials, as well as pray for us.

I was not promised that the baby I was expecting would be saved, yet I was still brave. During the surgery the doctor removed a large cyst and a smaller cyst as well as one and a half ovaries. My baby survived the surgery. My husband was there for me as I recovered in the hospital. I was going through morning sickness as I did with each pregnancy, but it was more difficult when I had stitches to contend with too.

While I was in the hospital I remember a sad time for everyone in the large ward we were in. One real sweet lady had heart failure while recovering from her surgery and she died. I remember all the nurses and doctors surrounding her. I believe this lovely lady was a Christian.

I did not have to worry about who would care for little Kathy while I was in the hospital as there were willing grandparents nearby. Since both of my parents worked we had Paul's parents care for Kathy. She had her second birthday while she was with them that August of 1957. She got all the proper attention from her loving grandparents. Their home was always a stable place to be for each child that came along in the following years.

The months rolled by and on March 18, 1958 I again entered the hospital to deliver our sweet little Laura Elizabeth Marvin. She was exactly seven lbs. This time I was at Mercy Hospital in San Diego. I think it was my Aunt Clara that took me to the hospital. Paul had been at work, but he soon arrived at Mercy Hospital to be with me. I got to the hospital in the morning and had our baby girl in the early evening.  My mother and father came to take me home a couple of days later. On the way home from the hospital  we stopped by my father's cousin Ethel's house to show off our baby. She and her husband  lived on Fifth Avenue just south of Mercy Hospital. This was the beginning of a tradition with our babies.

I got what I wanted when I had both of our baby girls. I enjoyed them and always read to them as they got older. Laura especially loved a certain book in our Childcraft set of children's books. She called it her "Nanny Book" as there was a poem about a nanny that she loved. I wish I had the book now to quote from, but it was given to the next generation to use. Hope they still have it. Holding little Laura close and rocking her with book in hand is a sweet memory. If only I had done this even more with all my little ones. We can't do this too much. Housework can wait, but babies grow up too fast.

I consider Laura to be my miracle baby as it is amazing that she survived my surgery when I was so early in my pregnancy with her. I did not really think I would have any more babies either. After she got older I got rid of the beautiful old fashioned baby buggy that I had for her. If I had only kept it I would have put it to good use. God had more blessings for us in years to follow.

We had one special item that was used for all of our babies. The bassinet that Paul and his brother slept in was also the one we used for our babies. It was used for three generations plus other babies. It is an old fashioned wicker basket with stand. I still have it and was hoping for it to be used again by the next generation. The cats can use it for now.

The following is one of the poems Laura enjoyed from her favorite book. A few words could be different than I remember, but it is the same poem.


The Cupboard
by Walter de la Mare

I know a little cupboard,
With a teeny tiny key,
And there's a jar of Lollypops
For me, me, me.

It has a little shelf, my dear,
As dark, as dark can be,
And there's a dish of Banbury Cakes
For me, me, me.

I have a small fat grandmamma,
With a very slippery knee,
And she's Keeper of the Cupboard,
With the key, key, key.

And when I'm very good, my dear,
As good as good can be,
There's Banbury Cakes, and Lollypops
For me, me, me.

The Trip

The summer of 1956 just before our daughter Kathy was one year old, and Paul was in Korea, I had a wonderful opportunity to go on a trip to see my grandmother. I was nineteen years old and had not seen my maternal grandma since I was barely thirteen years old. In that time I had gone from childhood, and through the difficult teen years, to being a young wife and mother.

In those days we didn't get to go on vacations, even to see much loved grandparents. We didn't make long distance phone calls either. The last time I saw Grandma she was standing beside my grandfather on the porch of their old farmhouse waving goodbye to our family right after Christmas of 1949. We had just spent much of the last year with them on the farm near Bellingham, Washington. We were heading back to California where I spent most of my childhood years. I didn't know that this would be the last time we would see our grandfather.

My sisters and I were blessed to live near our other grandparents when we lived in Coronado. But by the time I was in high school we had lost both grandfathers. Grandma McDonaugh still lived in the same house that I always remember, on the corner of third and F, until the day she died in 1960. My grandparents moved there when my father was a young boy. My husband was also blessed to live near his grandparents in Coronado, but none were still living by the time we met and got married.

Baby Kathy was the first grandchild for Paul's parents and my parents. My two sisters enjoyed the role of being aunts and spent much time with Kathy and me. I'm sure Paul's brother enjoyed being an uncle too. We had a lot of family to nurture us while Paul was in Korea. He was gone for most of Kathy's first year and a half. Paul only got to see Kathy once when she was a week old and another time when she was six weeks old. He was in the U.S.Army, not by choice.

Paul's parents were planning a vacation which would take them into Canada. They decided to take Kathy and me with them and leave us with my relatives in Washington while they went to Canada. This was a wonderful opportunity for me to see my Grandma Davenport. This was a chance for me to see other relatives that I loved too. I also got to meet my younger cousins that were not even born yet when I was there in 1949. One cousin was born when I was on the farm in '49. They are my mother's brother's children. Grandma lived with their family by this time in 1956.

I would get to stay at my great aunt and uncle's near where Grandma lived. In that farm area which is in Laurel, near Bellingham, we had a lot of family. Some great aunts and uncles had lived in that area for years. Others had lived there when my mother was little. This was going to be a real treat for me to see so much family.

On our trip in Paul's parent's car we had quite the arrangement. This was before seat belts, and car seats for babies. Paul's father, who I called Pop as Paul did, was very organized as he arranged everything in the car. We did not have a portable crib so Pop dismantled the crib every morning and put it together every evening wherever we were staying. The mattress fit nicely in the back seat for little Kathy to spend the trip on. She could crawl around and sleep as she needed to. Can you imagine this now days when a infant seat is a must? The crib fit on top of the car and everything had its assigned place in the car. I fit in the front seat with Paul's parents.

We enjoyed this time traveling from Coronado to Bellingham with the four of us getting along nicely. We had other family members to see along the way. I got to see an uncle and aunt in Oakland, as well as two cousins in that area, either on the way north or on the way home. We saw some of the Marvin relatives in Oregon on the way north. We enjoyed a ferry ride in San Francisco heading north. We enjoyed the Redwoods and all the other sights along the way.

Arriving at my Aunt Naomi and Uncle John's brought back many good memories. They had a sweet little house in Laurel, near my Uncle Ray and Aunt Jeanne's old farmhouse that was once my great grandparents' home. That is where my grandma was living as she was not able to be alone on her own farm any more. She got to be with my little cousins too. She helped raise my sisters and me when we were little and she loved children, so I'm sure being with Diedra, Dagna, Steven and Larry was a blessing for her.

Paul's parents got to enjoy their time in Canada while I made new memories with family. It would be many many years before I got back. My other greats came to see Kathy and me. They also met my dear in-laws. None of them ever got to meet my husband in all the years we have been together. Actually Diedra and Dagna eventually met Paul when they grew up and visited us. Paul may have eventually met Uncle Ray when we finally went to Washington in the later years. But my grandma never got to meet Paul. My sisters and I called Ray "Uncle Junior"as some of the family called him Junior. He was Mom's younger brother.

After a week or so I had to say goodbye to Grandma and the rest of the Davenports. It had been a sweet time. I would not get back to Washington for twenty five years. It would be 1981 when some of my children and I made the trip to Laurel. Kathy would be the main driver on that journey. Grandma and most of the greats were with the Lord by then.

On the way home from visiting Grandma we made two stops to visit more Davenports. We visited and stayed over night with another great aunt and uncle near Tacoma. Then we stayed over night at a favorite of my mother's cousins and his dear family at Seaside, Oregon. They used to visit us whenever they were in San Diego. We also stayed the night with them in 1981 when we were heading north, after we visited Great Aunt Naomi in a nursing home in Portland.

The senior Marvins had friends to visit in Oregon after we left my cousins in Seaside. We stayed overnight with these friends too. We found so much hospitality along the way during this memorable trip.

Kathy got to celebrate her first birthday while we were headed home on our vacation. We also took one picture of her in the same place that her daddy had his picture taken as he was traveling when he was a baby. So many memories to treasure. Remembering them after all these years is a pleasure. It was a blessing for me to have this opportunity to take my mind off the loneliness of my husband being in Korea for so long.

Family Beginnings

We had been married nine months and I was expecting our first child when Paul was drafted into the U.S.Army in May of 1955. We were just 18 and 21 years old. I had not yet graduated from high school, but would in just a month. Some may have considered me to still be a child. As far as I was concerned I was all grown up and wanting to be a good wife and mother. We had recently moved into the house that Paul's grandmother had owned. It now belonged to Paul's Uncle Ivor and he rented it to us.

It was so hard for us to say goodbye to each other, after all we were still newlyweds. Paul would be going to basic training at Fort Ord. He would miss my graduation from Coronado High School. I would miss him so very much. I finished high school and was glad to be able to graduate with my classmates. I hoped that I didn't show my pregnancy too much. I probably did though. The baby was due in August, a year after we got married.

I still enjoyed the friendships I had always enjoyed. I have always been blessed with friends. If I had not repeated first grade I would have graduated the year before so wouldn't have been married and still going to school. But I was in the class I was meant to be in with the friends I loved.

Paul and I were faithful in our letter writing the whole two years he was in the Army. I wrote every day. I'm sure he did too when it was possible. We still have these letters someplace in our many collections.

When Paul was finished with basic training his parents and I traveled together to Fort Ord to bring him back to Coronado. I always enjoyed a good relationship with Paul's parents. They were good to me all through the years.

Paul was fair of skin as he was a redhead, so he was very sunburned after being outside so much during basic training. His lips were the main thing that were burned and blistered. His friends wondered if he would still be able to kiss me. That didn't stop us from enjoying our longed for embrace and kiss.

After his alloted time in Coronado he headed back to Fort Ord for continued training. Another sad goodbye for us. More faithful letter writing too. I know it was not easy for Paul to be away and he had a lot to deal with in the Army. But I can't really tell his story. I can only tell my part of the story.

Sometime that summer, before our baby girl was born, my classmates gave me a baby shower. I received everything I would need for our precious little one. We really needed everything so I was very thankful for all the baby clothes and extras.

On Sunday, August 28th the time had come for me to go to the hospital in Coronado. I think it was Paul's parents who took me to the hospital. It was my mother who spent a lot of that long day beside my bed. It was not an easy delivery as the doctor had to use forceps to deliver our baby. Kathleen Jean Marvin was 8 lbs. 1 1/2 oz. and sported a bruised nose after such a difficult birth. She had a large head which is a family trait on her Daddy's side of the family.

Paul's parents got the news to him that he was a Daddy. I was in the hospital for five days as I needed that much time to heal and get my strength back. When Kathy and I left the hospital we went to my parent's house for a few days. But I really needed Paul to be there. This was the only time I ever got weepy after having a baby.

The happiest time for me was when Paul managed to get home, as he had a weekend leave during that period of time. Kathy was a week old then. It was a precious time for Paul and me. But it was too soon when Paul had to head back to Fort Ord.

The next time I saw Paul our baby was six weeks old. It was another quick weekend trip for Paul. Tears were shed when he left as we didn't have any idea when we would see each other again. He would spend eight weeks at Fort Carson, Colorado in a tent in the snow before heading to Fort Lewis, Washington. Next assignment would be Korea where he spent sixteen months. More snow and a lot of hot weather too.

One good thing that happened to Paul was that he ended up being a Chaplain's assistant while in Korea. That didn't happen right away, but it happened. He also played the organ for Chapel services. We didn't have E mail or phone calls in those days. We had to wait for our letters and they were sometimes delayed. Paul was in Korea after the war there, but he was on the DMZ and it could be dangerous. We didn't see Paul from the time Kathy was six weeks old until she was more than a year and a half old. He got home in time for Easter in 1957.

This was a time of getting to know each other all over again. Kathy had to get acquainted with her Daddy that she did not know at all. This was a difficult time as Paul didn't even know how to be a Daddy. This had not been a good way to begin our family. The struggle would continue. I had seen him being so sweet with his new little baby the two times he had seen her. This would have been the picture if he had stayed home. I thought this would be the picture when he got home. It was not so simple as that. I'm sure other families have discovered this too. It was always a challenge to be the family I had so romantically pictured.

The First Date

When Paul and I were teenagers and had known each other for a short time we had some of the same friends. I had another boy that I liked a lot that year. Paul had his eye on a certain girl for some time, but she may have moved that year and wasn't in the picture any more. We were both interested in the other sex. He may have had his eye on me, but he had his eye on others too.

Paul was going to the beach in Coronado, to a bonfire, with a large group of his friends. This may have been a Church group. He decided to ask me to go with him to this gathering. I knew some of the others in the group and was comfortable in this setting for a first date. I'm sure there must have been food and much fellowship and singing. But the main thing I remember is that we went grunion running.

Grunion are little silvery fish that come up on the beach at specific times during the year to lay their eggs. It is at night by the light of the moon. To catch them you need something to put them in and your bare hands. Anyone over a certain age needs a fishing license to do this. Paul was a surf fisherman and had his license. I never had the need for a license, but I must have been young enough to catch the grunion without a license. Hopefully I was legal. It was not something I would have thought about.

Several of my friends, along with Paul and me, had a great time catching a lot of these slippery little fish by hand that evening. What a fun memory. Afterwards we went to Linda and Judy's house where their mother fried up a batch of grunion for us to enjoy. There was enough of the uncooked fish left over for us to take home for our families. Anyway I took some home.

I doubt my sisters appreciated the fish I took home though. I came from a family that would just as likely as not pull a prank on a sibling. When I got home I woke my sisters up with the fish. It sounds dumb now, but it didn't at the time. I'm sure that Donna and Betty were glad that that was the only time I so nicely shared such cute little fishies with them.

This really was the only time I ever went grunion running. Paul spent much of his younger years surf fishing on the beach in Coronado. We didn't become a couple until some number of months later. We still had eyes for others for a while. I can't recall the month of the first date, but I bet Paul has it written in his journal. It was the fall of 1953 that we became serious about each other. After that there were many hours spent on the beach while Paul was fishing.

Here is a link to Laura's blog post that she wrote three years ago that goes good with this: Swimming and loving in Coronado.

The First Kiss

This morning when I was reading the paper I noticed an article about students writing about their parents for a history project. This is to be a picture of a diverse community in San Diego. One of the questions that the students were to ask their parents was about their first kiss. This gave me an idea for this blog post.

Paul and I were almost 20 and 17 years old when we began our courtship. We had known each other almost a year at that time. That is quite a while in the life of teenagers. We had some of the same friends and were both in the Methodist Youth Fellowship by the time we started dating steadily. Paul can tell you the exact day we started going together.

For several months it was just a time for holding hands and getting to know each other better. He may have been brave and put his arm around me after a month or so. But it was a few months before the first kiss. We both wanted this but were slow to make the first move.

One evening on my front porch, which was right next to my parent's bedroom, the time had come for the kiss. Paul's idea of a kiss must have been right from the movies with all the drama. The guy leans forward with the girl leaning back in his embrace. You have seen this picture in old movies when it goes so smoothly. Paul was so brave and I really wanted this kiss.

We were too close to the wall in the enclosed porch next to my parent's bedroom. The next thing you heard were voices from my parent's room saying, "What's going on out there?" We had leaned back too far and bumped into the wall which was not part of Paul's plan that evening. At least we got that first kiss. After that we became expert kissers.

He went for the drama in our wedding kiss too. The results were a little better that time, except for the chuckles from our friends and family.

Fifty-six years later we have these special moments to remember.  :)

Happy Valentine's Day

As children we enjoyed Valentine's Day parties at school. Sharing cute cards, which are now vintage, was the order of the day. There were times that I received conversation hearts candy from some special little friend. Nice to be noticed by someone of the opposite sex, even as a child. I always liked boys, but did not usually have a boy friend. The main thing about sharing Valentines at school was to be inclusive and give to all classmates. When it is done right no one gets left out.

I don't know if children exchange Valentines at school anymore. But I notice a lot of Valentines in the store for children to purchase. There are cute cards to buy, but I especially like the old fashioned ones of years past, or replicas. Homemade cards are a favorite of mine to give.

When we have that special someone in our life it is assumed that cards and/or gifts will be shared. I always appreciate cards and do not expect more. But I won't turn down the extras if they are added. I like chocolate the best. Flowers are nice, but never expected. Jewelry is not necessary for me. I do understand how one would enjoy that pretty addition to their attire though. I'm so easy to please. As I said, cards make me happy.

There may have been a time when I really would have liked some extra attention with more than a card. I remember being sad on our anniversary when I really wanted to go out to eat at a restaurant. In those days even fast food would have been a treat as that was not on our list of things to do. This was when we had young children and times were tough for me. But I have seen better days since then so don't dwell on those rough days, usually. And I do want more than fast food once in a while for a treat.

We always remember cards on those special days such as anniversaries, birthdays and Valentine's Day.

Two Good Men

On Sunday February 6, 2011 our country celebrates the 100th birthday of our 40th President, Ronald Reagan. He was our President from 1981-1989. He was a favorite of many. He is remembered as an actor of many years standing. He was also the 33rd governor of California from 1967-1975.

When the Coronado-San Diego Bay Bridge opened in 1969 Governor Reagan was there to dedicate it along with many other dignitaries. My family was also there with some of our neighbor children. Kathy, Laura, Bill, Griff and I walked with the Higgins children from where we lived on Olive Lane in Coronado to the entrance of the bridge where the opening ceremonies took place. We had a distant view of the big event. We could see the dignitaries, including Reagan, but not close enough to get a picture. But we can say we saw Ronald Reagan. (Except for the children who were too short.)

February 6th is also the day of our son-in-law, John Golden's, birthday. He is celebrating a new decade year, his 60th birthday. He is the husband of our daughter Kathy and the father of three. John's son Michael is Kathy's stepson. Michael's mother is Lois who we have known since before we knew John. Kathy and John were married in 1983 and are blessed with two lovely daughters, Becky and Melissa. Becky and her husband presented our family with a new little baby boy in December. Michael is the father of two daughters and a son. The family continues to grow and be blessed. John is a faithful husband and a dear son-in-law.

John had a much closer encounter with President Reagan than we could ever have imagined. Reagan was at John's reenlistment ceremony and shook John's hand. John has the framed picture to share this event. I think this was just before John married our daughter Kathy. John retired from the Navy after 22 years of service to our country in 1992. The Golden family moved to Colorado right after he retired from the military in '92.

John and Kathy have done a great job raising their family and they all continue to work hard. They also faithfully serve the Lord and their church. I love my family and wish I could see this part of my family more often. I loved it when they lived in San Diego and I was able to care for the girls when they were little. Looking forward to seeing our new little great grandson Jacob, and giving him a big hug!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN !!!

This World Is Not My Home

Sometimes I feel like Job with so many trials to contend with. I know that I haven't really faced the tribulations that Job faced, but I do have my struggles. This old house which shelters us, and this not so young body, are feeling the effects of age. There is always something that needs fixing in this house and we can't seem to keep up with it. Paul and I have both experienced slowing down and needing to visit doctors more than we used to. We feel as if we keep the Wal Mart pharmacy in business.

We get something repaired and something takes its place on the to do list. I can get discouraged with always seeming to be behind in doing what needs to be done. But I am reminded that this world is not my home, I"m just passing through. Then I break out in song and enjoy the words of the favorite chorus which contains these words.

We might be disappointed in how some things turn out in our lives. We may try to find our happiness in other people, but the only way to peace and joy is through a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Our hope needs to be in God. Not depending on man to make us happy is a hard lesson to learn, but it is possible.

We do need relationships in our lives and we are to love people, not things. Our loved ones are all that we can take to heaven with us when we do finally go. There will be a big reunion in heaven someday and I hope I have a lot of dear ones to share this with. I am blessed with friends and family that I love dearly. My prayer is for each one to know the Lord and to share this joy with me. Not the kind of happiness that the world gives, but the joy of the Lord.

My Dear Friend Madeline

On Monday, January 31st Laura and I were blessed to be able to spend the day with our dear friend Madeline. Bill took us to Madeline's house in Lemon Grove. Paul and Bill visited briefly with Madeline and then they headed out for a day of birding.

Laura, Madeline and I headed to Rosecrans National Cemetery where we put flowers on several graves of loved ones. First we found the columbarium where Paul's Uncle Ivor Jones is interred. This is the first time we had found Uncle Ivor's place of rest to be able to put flowers there.  He was a favorite uncle and we have precious memories of him. Next we headed to Uncle Ellis Jones' resting place to put flowers next to his marker. Paul and I had been with family at Rosecrans when Uncle El had been placed in the new columbarium. Uncle El was loved by many and affectionately called Jonesy by some.

The reason for going with Madeline was in remembrance of her dear husband Stephen, who went to be with the Lord July of 2009. I wanted to go with Madeline at least this one time to visit Steve's final resting place. We were able to place flowers there for him and to sing a hymn. We know our dear friend is really with our Lord in heaven and there will be a great reunion with him one day. Madeline and Steve have always been such a blessing to our family. Their whole family is dear to me.

I have known Madeline since we were in third grade in Coronado. We graduated together from Coronado High School in 1955. Paul's cousin Sally Jones was in our class and I also met her in third grade. We had a number of classmates that went all through Coronado schools together. It is such a blessing to have Madeline as my extra special friend, my sister in the Lord.

After we put flowers at Steve's grave we found the place nearby in the columbarium wall where Madeline and Steve's good friend Jim was laid to rest. Madeline placed flowers there for him too. Next time I go to Rosecrans I will know where to find Stephen and our uncles. I have others that I would like to remember too. Mr. Sinclair, Arthur and Debra's grandfather is one. We were there in 1965 when he was buried at Rosecrans overlooking the ocean. I think that is the year as Arthur and Debra lost both of their grandfathers in less than a year. My Dad died in November of 1964 at the age of 53. So young. Mr. Sinclair was a lot older when he died.

When we were finished at the cemetery we headed to Liberty Station in Point Loma for lunch at The Tin Fish. We have enjoyed meals at The Tin Fish on the Imperial Beach Pier a number of times. Madeline was familiar with The Tin Fish near Pet Co Park in San Diego. The restaurant at Liberty Station is quite a bit fancier than the one on the pier. The food is the same enjoyable fish and chips that I have come to expect. We also got a free dessert for Madeline's birthday. The dessert was a Portuguese style donut with a fancy name that we could not remember. Point Loma is historically known for the Portuguese fishermen that settled there. There is a memorial to the fishermen on nearby Shelter Island.

Madeline and I try to always celebrate each others birthdays every year. One year I neglected her birthday and that was very short sighted on my part as she is ever faithful. Actually Madeline and Steve would do something special for Paul, Laura and me on each of our birthdays. We have enjoyed many  excursions with our dear friends on or near our birthdays. Otherwise we have enjoyed their hospitality in their home to celebrate birthdays. It is so comforting to me to have this special shelter of friends who are family to us.

After we enjoyed our lunch on Monday we headed to Coronado to visit Madeline's mother. She is a dear lady who is doing quite nicely for being in her nineties. I know how Madeline became such a nice person. She has a good example to follow.

I have another sweet friend in her nineties that I want to visit very soon. She also lives in Coronado and was even born in Coronado. I call her my "other mother".

Monday was a good day for Madeline, Laura and me. We finished the afternoon by a quick stop at the 99 cent store on the way home from Coronado. Paul and Bill were already home when Madeline brought us back to Rene Court. Then she had her drive back to Lemon Grove alone. Thankfully she has family next door and has an active lifestyle which is very good. May God Bless my dear friend.