Tacoma & Havelock

Dear friends,

Not much travel news from Swansboro this time; just family stuff. Kevin gave us tickets to fly out to Tacoma for Morgan Ann’s graduation from Bellarmine Prep. It was a wonderful few days; big party, big graduation ceremony, big milestone, big gift for us. Morgan has grown into a beautiful blonde, reed-slim young woman, with beautiful big eyes and Lord knows how many thousands in her gorgeous mouth (teeth). She has turned out well. Wants to be a vet and will head to Washington State in late August. She and best friend Lindsey are currently on a graduation trip to Maui; Mom and Dad only mildly stressed. Not worried about Morgan getting into trouble, but you can’t help but be concerned about trouble wandering down the beach.

When we were in Tacoma seems like all we talked about was North Carolina and smart kids, beautiful kids, warm weather, etc., etc. Now all we are talking about is Tacoma and how special Morgan is and the yard was gorgeous and Kevin and Shelly took such good care of us. Why do we do that?

Last job was in Greensboro, North Carolina. We really liked the area, halfway between Raleigh and Winston-Salem. There are ten colleges in the immediate area, and an important history of civil rights. They have taken the old Woolworth’s Dime Store where the first sit-in occurred and made it into a civil rights museum; really interesting. We have been in other cities that were predominately black (Montgomery, Alabama) but Greensboro was very comfortable.

We are parked in Jason and Jamie’s driveway, sweltering. Found a really good dentist and are getting our teeth stuff done. When we were in middle Georgia I saw a Chiropractor for a low back strain and he did such a good job, I said, “My bite is off a little, bit, is there anything you can do for a jaw problem?” One of my bigger mistakes of the year. By the time we got here, 6 weeks later, I was in constant pain, and it was big pain, right up there with brain surgery pain! Wuh! I couldn’t tell whether it was my jaw, a broken tooth, or some kind of abscess. Awful. Anyway, getting my teeth worked on made it worse, of course, but the doc put me on a muscle relaxer and now, two weeks later, I’m nearly cured. Feels like a miracle.

Jason has been tapped as Bishop of the Havelock, NC ward of their LDS Church. We always knew he would serve as a Bishop somewhere, and even though this may not be the best time for him to have to invest the time and effort, they need his leadership and he will do well. The Mormon Church operates as kind of a WINGS personal growth program: They get together and evaluate and pray, and pick someone for each job that needs to be done. No one is a professional at the task assigned, but somehow everyone ends up doing what he is supposed to be doing, and doing it pretty well. They help one another and humility is embraced, vulnerability is acknowledged and success is celebrated. The ritual of ordaining a new bishop was very touching and we were very proud to see how Jason is respected and loved. We were also impressed by the Church’s tradition of approaching Jamie first, asking if she could sustain Jason in his role of Bishop. This is a huge thing, as he, of course, still works full time and is taking courses for his PhD, and as Bishop will have a flock to attend to. Jamie doesn’t get much of his time now, let alone with this new role. So they are in it as a unit, for the next five years or so. I’m sure there will be rewards (Dave was hoping for a car, but I think the rewards will be more in the area of spiritual strength). (Maybe a lawn mowing from time to time.)

Today is a typical Saturday for the Swan family: Jason started digging out the ditch in the front yard, to shore up the driveway, but he has gone to officiate his first funeral. Dave is taking an apprenticeship on brick cutting (for the ditch project) from neighbor Charlie, hoping to help Jason later. It is Jamie’s birthday, and she has already made two trips, before noon, to deliver/pick up kids for parties, shopping. We are taking J and J out to dinner tonight for her B’Day while Susie stays with the kids. That’s if Susie and Becca get finished with the makeover they are giving Jamie for her birthday. Xander and Katie had a sleepover with us in the bus last night and are still reeling around in pajamas, cartooned out. I’m watching the World Cup and making a quilt for my brother’s newest grandson, due in August. Life is good. (As good as it can get living in a metal tube at 94 degrees in North Carolina. We’re trying to work the air conditioners to keep it cooler, but we have limited amps available.)

We are going to Nashville early July to meet Carole, Dave’s sister, when she is inducted into some big, secret role in the Moose. This recognition is long overdue for her and we are very excited for her. I was especially excited, because I have discovered where the large black ladies shop and made some happy purchases. Actually, Indians and Blacks have similar tasted: Indians prefer things that flutter and sparkle, whereas Black seem to like sparkle and drape, but we both like bold color and the bosom reigns! Wouldn’t you know I can’t go to Carole’s coronation (because it’s SECRET), and I just know my new Tops would be admired, with a corsage of course. Poop. I’m going to wear them in Nashville anyway.

Love you all,

Sam