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May we all pull together in prayer and condolences for all the thousands of people effected by the events on Tuesday, September 11th, in New York and Washington D.C. God keep all the souls lost, and remember them in His heart.
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Day Three
Friday marked the day when, at last, we could finally take Michael home with us for his 10-day leave. As we did on Thursday, we got up early to have breakfast, and also pack up and check out of the hotel. We parked along the long side of the Parade Deck and walked around the perimeter to the bleachers (obeying the tradition of not walking across the deck - a tradition not observed by everyone there, unfortunately). We got there early so we could get good seats, so Calvin's mom, sister, nephew, Marie and Marie's friend went of to the PX (the Depot's supply store) to get some more souvenirs.
While we were waiting, the Marine band played some traditional ballads and marches, and several officers addressed the audience. The Marine mascot, a bulldog, was brought around to meet everyone. Everyone reassembled back at the bleachers just in time to see the platoons being marched out. They marched around the perimeter of the deck and were presented to the commanding officers, then assumed their individual formations in front of the bleachers. Once again, we had excellent seats and could see Michael clearly. We observed as the platoon's flags were ceremoniously turned in, and while merit awards were presented to outstanding recruits from each platoon. The commanding officer of the Depot gave a heartfelt and stirring speech, addressing the new Marines respectfully and gratefully. Then the drill instructors formally released the platoons for their much-earned leave. With another "Aye, sir! Hoo-ah!" they again dispersed to find their families. It was a beautiful ceremony and wonderful sight, although the real meaning for Michael lied in the Eagle, Globe and Anchor ceremony of the day before.
Michael, Calvin, Michael's friend, and cousin, and I (whew!) walked the length of the Parade Deck to the barracks to retrieve Michael's belongings. We tried hard to keep up, but after a while Michael left Calvin and I in the dust. Fortunately, we knew where he was headed, but the rest of the family didn't. We all became separated, and in the press and confusion nobody agreed to where we would meet if we lost sight of one another. We grabbed Michael's bags and headed back the way we came, looking for the rest of our group. We got back to the trucks and found the grandparents waiting there for us. A few moments later Calvin's mom and sister showed up, then X(f). Marie and her friend were nowhere to be found - Calvin's sister said she thought they were with X(f), X(f) said she thought they were with Calvin's sister. After about two minutes of anxiety, we saw the girls walking along the edge of the parade deck.
We all piled in our respective vehicles and made our way closer to the shopping area so Calvin's sister could purchase a shirt she'd seen the day before. She was accompanied by Calvin's mom, and after they disappeared, X(f) decided she wanted to make some purchases, too. So we hung out and listened to some music, and Michael had a chance to have a conversation with his senior drill instructor, who happened by. Finally, the ladies returned. X(f) stayed behind with Michael's friend - they had plans for the day in San Diego. The rest of us got on the road immediately.
Getting out of San Diego was a lesson in patience. First we couldn't find the highway we were supposed to take, and had to turn around several times before we got situated. Then we couldn't find a Taco Bell (Michael's specific request), and when we did we didn't get off the highway in time and had to take the next exit. Then we wandered through neighborhoods trying to find our way back to where we saw the restaurant. We finally found it, and had lunch, but then when trying to get back on the freeway I mistakenly directed Calvin the wrong way, and we got back on the freeway going West instead of East. So we had to go back the way we came until the next exit, get off the freeway, get back *on* the freeway going in the right direction, and try to catch up with Calvin's sister (who radioed us to say she got on going in the right direction, and we'd have to catch up). Calvin went about 90 and we found his sister again within 10 minutes. From there it was smooth driving all the way back to Arizona.
Once we got back in town, we stopped at the Cold Stone where Michael used to work so he could say hello to his friends, and we went to the video store to rent a PlayStation II (so much for thinking Michael was now too grown up for video games). A couple of Michael's friends showed up at the house that evening, as did X(f). Things got heated with her (I'm not going into it, but suffice to say that interacting with her, for the few days we were in San Diego, was the soap operatic experience it usually is) and Calvin and Michael both ended up conversing (read: lecturing) her for a couple of hours.
After she left, Marie and I hung out on the patio for a good hour. We had the best conversation I've ever had with her - I wish I could have recorded it. To sum it all up, we really appreciate the family life we have, and how well we all get along, and how we're all *friends* as well as parents/offspring/step kids to one another. I'm so incredibly blessed to have Marie, and Michael, and Calvin in my life.So! This summation isn't as detailed as I could have been in describing the trip, but I'm sure you don't want War and Peace. The week has been full of family dinners, and movies, and hanging out, and great conversation. Saturday morning we had breakfast at Calvin's mom's restaurant. Sunday morning we made Calvin's famous skillet. Tuesday night we had dinner at Calvin's sister's, and tonight (Wednesday) we're having our family pictures taken. Tomorrow night the kids have dinner with their mom, and Saturday we're having a family get-together at our house for Marie's 13th birthday and Michael's homecoming. Sunday X(f) is having a get together at her house for her family, and Monday Michael flies out again. It's been a whirlwind of visiting and activity, and we're having a great time.
We have a bunch of 35mm pictures that we've developed, as well as Michael's formal graduation pictures. I'll scan them and post them when I have two seconds to rub together.