July 10, 2012
I knew I had a five plus hour drive north to JBLM ( Joint Base Lewis-McCord) in Tacoma WA. I dreaded going through commute traffic, so a waited until later in the day.
I was so exhusted, that I must of pulled over six times, running around my car twice each time....or at the rest stops throwing cold water on my face. Many vehicles were traveling north, many of them late night travelers with household rental trucks....and they appeared to be leaving California.
I arrived after 2am ( July 11) at Rainer Lodging.
July 11. 2012
I went to my dental appointment for the mold to be made for two dental implants. "Sandy" was the gal working at the clinic. She had remembered meeting me over 7 months before. We had discussed previously that we had both gone to Army basic training in June 1974. I had started in one company, but due to unfortunate circumstances, had finished my training and graduated with a later class. I did not remember the company I had been assigned to.
She had only served 3 years to my now, 38 years. She had worked as a GS civilian ever since.
We had figured we had graduated basic training about the same time. I had then gone to Fort Sam Houston for Corpsman training, and she had gone to Dental Hygene school. It turned out we were both on Fort Sam at the same time.
I had then gone to Korea, and she Germany.
This day, I showed up to have her waiting for me. She pulled out a group color picture, and a copy black and white from the clinic copier. She asked if anyone looked familar? There in the top second row, fourth from the left was myself. She was in the row below me, standing in front of me.
We had been co graduates together in Company A.
Who would have ever figured that she, a 1974 highschool graduate from Longview/Kelso Washington; and I a 1974 graduate from Pleasant Hill, California, would meet 38 years later. We would discover we had been basic training recruits sharing the same barracks bay, dinning facilities and having had graduated basic together?
We celebrated having 'found' each other by going out to Chinese Buffett, when she got off work.
While I was waiting for her to get off work, I heard that my Headquarters command was doing a community project, for Habitat for Humanity. I was given an address for them at on S.Ainsworth in Northern Tacoma. I headed out. I thought I knew where I was going. My great Grandmother on my mothers side was a "Benson." A noticed a Sharon Benson was running for a Pierce county office. I wondered if we were related. I stopped by at the house my Great Great Grandfather had built. They were the third owners ever of this large victorian. They already knew me by now and were most gracious in giving me directions. Their home still has the orginal ( and First in Tacoma) phone that my Great Great Grandfather Gottliab had installed. I never found the building project, as the street ended at the freeway and must of picked up way on the other side of town.... After getting very lost, I got my bearings again, and headed back to have dinner with my new gal friend Sandy.
The next day, I went on a short trip around the back end of the base. Two "Mute" Swans are part of the Madigan hospital grounds. Brought there to 'scare' away the Canadian geese. It doesn't always work.
I decided to be 'naughty,' and bought the largest, gooest ( Carmal and icing, Loaded with pecans) Cinnabon!
July 12, 2012
Heading home the next day, I stopped along the way, stopping at rest stops watching kids play with their parents and traveling dog campanions. More and more Anxious,was I to get home to my own bed and personal space.
Besides, I need to be well rested for my trip to Kentucky in one week.
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