Goodnight, Sweet Friends

 

My granddaughter, Madison, and Terry and me at our wedding in '23

We have made it. Thursday was another full day of driving the final six and a half hours to arrive in Anaheim where we await the big day. 

Driving along the freeway, I realized the strange designs in the hillsides along the way. Terry was at the helm today for a while, giving me a chance to view the landscape. 

The designs were odd to me. After I took the photo, it occurred to me that I captured a plane flying over the area too. 

Driving onward, we passed Magic Mountain, the roller coaster theme park in Valencia, California. 

We soon found ourselves (once again), at the mercy of the 3,000 cars in front of us, moving like snails in the tangled mess we all faced. But this showed us that we were getting closer to the moment we have waited for. 

Finally moving past the first traffic jam, we drove about two miles and ended up in another jam. Ah, big city driving is the bomb, right? This is why I like living in a small town. 

It came to the fact that we needed a bathroom break and lunch. In-N-Out Burger, why not? We stopped in, gave them our order, then sat and waited some more. California was beginning to be all about lines and waiting in lines. 

We ate, then got back in the car to drive some more. I had to get some pictures of these large palm trees. Another California thing that we don't really have in Oregon. 

Finally. We saw the hotel and pulled up to the doors. 

But before we meet the mouse, we have Terry's family to meet first, and another restful night in a hotel room after our long drive. As I said in the first post, Off to See the Big Mick, Terry has his brother and sister-in-law driving in from Arizona to meet us at the park. Actually, they will meet us in the hotel where they are staying too. It turns out they are two floors above us. I could not wait to meet them. 

We checked into the room and took our stuff upstairs to dump it off. Now that the driving is over, we can finally rest and have a great time. And have a great time we did. 

First up, we met with Rick and Brenda in the hotel. They came to our room, knocked on the door, and we all immediately went into hugs like we had all known each other forever. The smile and energy coming from both of the family members was so good. Brenda was an immediate friendly face, with a great smile. Terry was so excited to see his brother again after about eight or nine years. It was a happy reunion. We all chose to go to a restaurant where Rick and Brenda wanted to buy us an anniversary dinner. It was such a sweet gesture. Off we went to a Greek restaurant close to the hotel. 

Aleppo's Kitchen was an amazing place to catch up on old times, learn about each other, and to enjoy good food. It was a good night. As the night unfolded, I knew I would love this couple I had just met. Brenda's smile, sweetness, and warmth really made me love her instantly. Have you ever met someone you meshed with immediately? It felt as though you had known them forever? That's how it was for me in meeting her. 

Rick was the same way, but his energy was a bit goofier and quirkier. He loved to joke around to try and get his brother wound up. It was as though we were watching two teenage boys give each other crap. I could immediately see how life was for their parents. 

In all fairness, they are half-brothers but grew up together as brothers. Terry's stepfather was more of a father than his absent biological dad was. We call his bio dad his father and his stepdad his dad. The two were a lot alike in terms of personalities and a little in the way they look. But just a little. 

Terry is six feet tall and Rick is about five feet, six inches tall. They teased each other about who was the best looking of the two and the height they both were. I could tell they really love each other and miss each other as well. We will definitely have to keep in touch with them a bit more often. 

We ordered our food, chatted about everything, and loved each minute. It was a good time had by all. 

Once the ravioli, rice, gyro, and skewered chicken was eaten, we stayed and talked some more. When we finally called it a night (and the wait staff was wanting to close the doors), we got into our cars and drove back to the hotel. We took the elevator to the floors we were staying on, hugged each other again, and called it a perfect night. Tomorrow was the big day!

Returning to the hotel, we checked into the room for the next couple of days. Wow, were we tired. 

Checking in, I realized just how relaxing and nice the hotel was. 

Goodnight, everyone. 

***

Thank you, once again friends, for reading the blog. Our next post will cover the day at the park. The most exciting day! We do wish you all love, joy, happiness, blessings galore, abundance, and a beautiful life. We appreciate you. 

Our day at Disneyland will be on the next blog post. The entire trip is far too much to put into one. 

Terry & Vicki Macrae

Two old people trying to enjoy life