House Guest - Part 2

Back before I was thought about, my parents and grandparents lived overseas, stationed at military bases during the fifties and sixties. During this time my grandparents met a young man, Tony, who they became fast friends with, a friendship that lasted a lifetime. They were there for his wedding day and the pictures of that day hold a special place in our family photo albums. In time, my grandparents returned home to South Dakota, my parents returned to Florida and Tony moved to New Zealand. A few years later, Tony and his bride welcomed a daughter and named her after my mother, Joanne.

Joanne, Granny, Mom

In 1984, when I was in college, Tony and Joanne made the trek to South Dakota to visit. She was 10 years old and that was the first and last time I had seen both of them. (As far as I recall -that is.) And unfortunately, my mother's address book was misplaced in the shuffle after her death so I no longer had a record of my mother's friends and acquaintances.

My grandparents, mom, Joanne & Tony (this is the picture you mentioned, J.)

Then last August my Aunt forwarded an email to me from Tony. (My Aunt and Uncle had stayed in contact with him all these years.) Joanne, now an adult, was coming to Southern California on holiday and they wondered if I was living there. Needless to say, I was ecstatic to have her stay with us.

We had a wonderful time catching up and getting to know each other at the same time.

At California Adventure - this is what happens when you hand your camera over to some old dude that says "I love taking pictures for people" with a little too much exuberance. I SO need a haircut!

But what really touched me, is that the special friendship of our parents had with each other carries over to our generation. although I only had a few days; I feel, in a way, that Joanne is "family" to us.


Then again, growing up her parents were always considered "part of the family" in my house.


I can honestly say that my mom was very touched to have someone named after her; and I am happy to know that she is a wonderful, funny, beautiful person my mom would be proud of and who I am honored to now call "friend".


New Zealand, here we come!