Simply Norma

It’s over. He’s graduated — this young man I know. In a little while we’ll be eating and having cake and reminiscing.

Tomorrow I head back to Minnesota. Back to the patient husband whose been waiting for me. Away from my son, friends and the Seattle world. I never made it back for my last hot chocolate at Peet’s. But, one day I’ll return. Too many special people this side of the world for me not to return. Too many people though who wish I wouldn’t have had to share their time with everyone else. I don’t know how to manage that unless I schedule them in years. So funny!

The graduation today was different. All of the 22 young people looked happy and normal. At my graduation, girls were pregnant under their gowns, many had no aspirations to do anything after high school. This group looked like they are ready to conquer the world. And my special young man is one of the top 10% students in the state of Washington.

Time to look for cheesecake, balloons and head to the party. Then I have a nice relaxing evening and tomorrow morning, before the sun rises, the rental goes back and I board a plane to the best husband in the world. Life just doesn’t get better than this!

He’s a man now.

I remember the first and only time we babysat for him. He cried and cried and cried. When his parents came to pick him up his mother told me that she would never leave him alone with anyone anymore. I felt like a failure but the feeling soon passed.

When he came to visit, he would jump from sofa to sofa – always on the go.

One of his favorite pastimes was to flush the toilet on the 2nd floor and then run down to the first to “hear” it or see where it went.

And what a talented musician he’s become. I was so proud last night when he played the organ in unison with a piano player. The music was astounding and he received a well deserved standing ovation. I hope he can stay as humble as I know him to be.

He’s all grown up. His graduation is tomorrow and I feel so privileged to be in Seattle to see him experience that moment.

Transitioning from childhood to manhood. My boy — remember, enjoy your moments as you can never go back.

I woke up early today and prepared myself for the graduation church service at 10:00 this morning. Staying with friends who are 35 minutes away, I found myself ready early and decided to leave. At 8:40 am I found myself on the road. Arrival time – 9:20. I had moseyed along and looked forward to my pick of parking spaces. Pulling into the parking lot of the church I noticed few cars were already there. Hmmm … the gymnasium doesn’t look like I remember. Could I have been gone from Seattle THAT long?

I sat and watched as other cars pulled up, parked and entered the church. The people walking into the “gymnasium” carried food items. That’s strange, I thought. I didn’t think there was a potluck today. I continued waiting … and waiting.

Soon I decided that I better ask someone about what these strange turn of events meant. A woman with a friendly smile greeted people so I walked up and asked “Can you tell me where the PSAA gym is?” Much to my chagrin she said “You’re about a mile out of the way.”

Uh — what? Sure enough, the school is not on church grounds. How could I have forgotten that? Back in the car, I headed to my destination feeling good that I had come early enough to still find empty parking spaces. I saw what looked like the gym but fences sealed off the area so I figured that I must be in the wrong place. I continued driving. No — this is not right I told myself.

I headed back and saw the sign – Puget Sound Adventist Academy. With glee, I pulled into the same place that had the fences sealing off the parking lot. I was so pleased with myself. I was still early enough to get a good parking spot. One other car sat in the parking lot but no one was in it. That made two of us – early birds.

Wondering why no one was here, especially since the family I came to visit normally arrives early, I looked at the program to see what the service would be like. Looks nice, I thought. Then I looked up at the top to see that the service started at 11 a.m.

I knew when I woke up this morning that I was a little groggy yet anxious to get the day going. A little too anxious.

Isn’t that how life is sometimes? We’re so quick to move and fail to check our plans and destinations. In this case, no harm was done. If the situation were different and I would have been late instead of early …

So — I sit at a Starbucks biding my time. I surely hope the day does not get any stranger than this.

What in the world possessed someone to have a “spaceship” on the side of a building? Welcome to the Fremont neighborhood in Seattle, Washington. Here one finds people of varied backgrounds with varied thoughts, clothes, actions – it’s a “come as you are” sort of place.

I’ve spent many days/years in this neighborhood, walking to and from home on an almost daily basis. Yesterday it was a memory but this week it has been real. Soon though it becomes a memory again. A good memory.

There’s always a place for new memories to be made. I’ll always cherish the old but my mind will also relish the new.

Cop out … that’s what some might say about Christian decisions. They aren’t popular with the majority – perhaps because Christians tend to be in the minority.

Along life’s road, we are given so many choices. Some seem like no-brainers – “Do I have cyanide for breakfast or not?” Others are more challenging – “Should I move or stay where I am?” I’ve been told that I should follow my gut in decision-making. But my gut doesn’t always tell me to do what’s right. Actually, in most cases, when I am struggling with a decision it’s because my gut really knows the right one but I feel a pull to make the wrong one. The “gut” though likes to feel good and so many people, including Christians, choose to follow their gut and deal with the consequences later.

At 50ish, I’ve learned to slow down and think before making decisions. Does that mean I’ve lost my spontaneity? No. Eventually the spontaneity comes from the training one has done in their life in making the right decisions.

I always liked the poem called “The Road Less Traveled” by Robert Frost.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Indeed, looking back on my life, I have made so many decisions that today make it easier for me to choose the path not taken – not taken because people say it’s too hard. But through the brush, the thorns, and the darkness, light appears at the end and a rejoicing heart emerges for having traveled the road less taken.

Finally! Real hot chocolate! I have missed my Peet’s so much. The hot chocolate in Minnesota (St Paul area) is okay but sitting here drinking my cup of cocoa feels so wonderful.

My days in Seattle are quickly passing by. I’ve been able to see so many people already and tomorrow will be a “slow” day for me. Right now, I am between “friends.” Walking into my old Fremont neighborhood brings back a lot of old memories.

I will have to return before I leave —

The area has changed somewhat. The Aurora Bridge (Highway 99), which can be seen from this area, has been fitted with suicide barriers. Too many people jumping to their deaths from the bridge led them to set up the barriers as the houseboat owners who live underneath the bridge complained.

Today is cloudy, cool and a typical Seattle day although I would have expected it to be a wee bit warmer while I was here visiting.

Yesterday, I took an elderly lady out to lunch and it poured and poured so we were not able to get inside the Alderwood Mall for walking. Instead we settled for a KFC. Coming to Seattle and eating KFC is like … well, let’s just say it’s not on my list of top 10 things to do. But we have to accomodate the weather here. I was surprised she still remembers me since she has onset dementia. The minute I walked into her room though she lit up and yelled “Norma!” It was heartwarming.

I feel so blessed here in Seattle with so many true friends. I just shake my head and thank God for allowing us to live here and getting to know these wonderful people.

My trip to Seattle finally came to fruition as I flew in yesterday afternoon. (Unfortunately, a tornado hit the Minneapolis area shortly after I left causing damage.) The clouds greeted me warmly. I got rather nostalgic as I drove into the city. The rental car company had me take the wrong car out of the parking lot and I was stopped as I left to exit. Fortunately, they allowed me to drive away with the newer Nissan Sentra instead of the subcompact I had rented — and for the same price.

I started visiting a couple who have been near and dear to me for awhile. He’s the quiet type and recently had an accident with his foot for which he does not want to get medical attention. So I’m pressing for the doctor visit to happen as the foot does not look good. The accident happened over 2 weeks ago and the foot is still quite swollen and does not look like it’s healed quickly enough.

My evening destination led me to another couple. I can’t say enough about them — I probably shouldn’t because they may read my blog too.  haha  They have opened the doors to their home for my family time and time again. I had fresh salmon for dinner which I haven’t had since I left Seattle. Then we stayed up talking and talking. It was great to see them again and I’ll see them later this week. I slept soundly in the bed that was made for me — just like I did the last time I was there.

This morning, two more couple friends. I feel so blessed that I know such wonderful people. How did so many wonderful people cross my path? Breakfast at Portage Bay – lively conversation and a tad bit of sadness as I left them, although I hope to see them again later this week.

Now I’m waiting for my son to arrive so we can have lunch. I haven’t seen him since November so I’m really looking forward to this visit. We were supposed to do some shopping together but I don’t know if he’ll have time as he needs to head to work sometime. But again — a “later this week visit” will occur.

Seattle seems so much more vibrant with colors than Minnesota. I think Minnesota had a late start for spring this year.

While driving around, I can say don’t miss the crowded city streets. One lane driving with cars parked on both sides – makes me nervous. And having to pay for parking everywhere you go …

I did drive by our old house here. It looks so dreary. The blinds are drawn in every room. I didn’t think they had a day sleeper but maybe someone’s sick. Driving through the back, it doesn’t seem anything has been done, i.e. no lawn mowed, no deck furniture yet. The neighbor finally put a fence up in the back. I remember asking him if he’d go in half with us on the side fence and he didn’t respond. Oh well …

The rest of the week will be busy and I may have limited internet access except on my phone. One more visit to an elderly friend and then I’m off to another couple’s house which is my home for the week, although I won’t be there much except for sleeping.

Coming back brings many memories and unfortunately there are many people who don’t know I’m in town and who won’t get a visit because time just won’t allow for it. Perhaps next time …