What a treat! 11 pm Sunday afternoon and everything inside of me knew that the sunlight would clear away a lot of thick, dusty cobwebs in my brain. I got myself together and headed for Blockbusters. I smiled looking at the sign outside of the pizza restaurant next to the Big B. "I bet you," I thought, "some parents had to ward off some high pitched pleading from their kids today!"
Tops Market was crowded--- lots of cars in the parking lot.I got a tasty chicken bowl and headed for home.
This beauty held my attention for a heart stopping few seconds.
I enjoyed getting out and joining the Sunday afternoon parade:
It was twelve thirty, Sunday afternoon. I was sitting outside in the mild sunlit seventies weather, waiting for my Worldwide Marriage Encounter Friends, Bruce and Jodie, to come and take a look at the room where we would be hosting the WWME regional meeting this fall. Some young folks came out of St. Aloysius Chapel. I did not know what specific reason they had for being there... working on a retreat, planning some works of service... I did not know. But I smiled as I thought it was wonderful to see high school folks taking a big chunk out of their weekend to plan some work where they would help others. I admire their sacrifice. Ruminating in the sun, thinking about the world's future, I felt reassured that always there would be people focused on helping others. I smiled.
Finally only two young women were waiting outside. They were waiting to be picked up by family or friends. I could only hear the tone they were using talking to each other. I thought to myself about the wonderful friendships I had formed doing similar kinds of things when I was in high school and college. Those friendships are so precious and with any kind of luck they last us a lifetime.
Then the teacher who had been there with the students came out, spoke to them for a moment. She decided to wait with them until their rides came. I thought about all the wonderful teachers who, over my lifetime, had waited for me. I did a lot of smiling this Sunday thinking about friends and families and mentors and teachers... gratefully recalling so many people who had been there for me in the hard times and the good times.
I started humming to myself... "What A Wonderful World."
The quick answer: A place for neighbors. It’s a place to get up to date on what’s going on around you, to tell a story, to share an idea or a bit of yourself. South Sounders created all the content on this page. Send questions, comments or feedback to matt.misterek@thenewstribune.com.
Our regulars
Stephanie Frieze …has always liked to write. Her experience includes three years at the University Washington School of Communications studying journalism. She had a stint at the Chinook Observer in Long Beach. Raised in Bellevue, she’s lived in Gig Harbor for nearly 18 years. She and her husband have a home in Ilwaco, where they spend as much time as possible. This mother of four loves books, spending time with family and the color purple. Contact her at dbandstefery@comcast.net.
Lorraine Hart …was born a nomadic mutt. She spent her life observing, writing and making music. She’s an unabashed carrier of the titles “hippie,” “feminist” and “liberal.” She’s resided in the South Sound since 1996 and is currently living above Joe’s Bay in Home. She juggles her time between being a caregiver, a writer, an artist, a musician, a minister, a wife, a mother, an advocate, a friend and a pilgrim – not necessarily in that order. Contact her at matlox@cablespeed.com.
Jaynie Jones …is a Tacoma resident with diverse career tracks in broadcasting, journalism, teaching, health care, desktop publishing, floral design, special event planning and photography. She’s best known as long-time KOMO radio personality Jaynie Dillon and was once a familiar voice on Tacoma stations KTAC, KBRD-FM, KTNT and KNBQ-FM. Formerly a resident of Tacoma’s East Side, she’s volunteered in the Eastside Substation and with Safe Streets. Contact her at jaynie.jones@gmail.com .
Tracy Lebenzon ...is a blog contributor from Greenwater. Greenwater is the last stop before Crystal Mountain, Mount Rainier and the surrounding wilderness areas. When not exploring the next mountain peak or forest trail, Tracy also contributes to the Greenwater Community Council and the Explore-Greenwater.com web site. He writes about topics ranging from favorite foot, bike, and snow trails to community events, local merchants and politics. Contact him at dmountains@explore-greenwater.com.
Joseph McGowan …is a chaplain who supports patients, families, friends, nurses and doctors at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Being 67, he’s learned this about living: Meet people on their own ground and you will discover that this Earth is our special place to meet and support each other. His motto: Live now. Share yourself now. Every living thing you experience is a pure gift. Love all life unconditionally. Contact him at mcg9940@yahoo.com.
Mizu Sugimura …is a third-generation Japanese American living in Federal Way. She’s married and a parent of one adult child. A lifelong resident of the Puget Sound area, she graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Washington School of Communications. and served on Federal Way’s Diversity and Art Commissions. Her interests are politics, art, the history of minorities in Washington and family history. She’s written a self-published family history about her paternal grandfather. Contact her at mizusugi@yahoo.com.
Kim Thompson …is a Grit City native who was born and raised in Tacoma’s Old Town neighborhood by the gulch. She boasts that she’s a former Lowell Leopard, Mason Mustang and Wilson Ram, a short-time PLU Lute and a longtime UW Husky. This former corporate businesswoman is a wife, a mom, a school volunteer, a substitute teaching assistant, a writer and a born-again distance runner. She has convinced friends from Bellevue that Tacoma is worth the drive. Contact her at kimricksy@comcast.net.
ugi@yahoo.com.
I got a tasty chicken bowl and headed for home.
