March 10, 2008 6:11 PM
Greetings from California
I am in Redwood City today - will be giving a talk to moms tomorrow at Peninsula Covenant Church.
This is exciting because I'm going to see an old friend, Anne Gaddini, who I've known since before she was married - 20 years ago, I think? - and whom I haven't seen for a very, very long time.
After Tripp and I became Christians, the first church we attended was Marin Covenant Church in San Rafael. We had six children then - Samantha and Jasmine were teens and we had four boys under six. And people thought that was a big family :)
The youth pastor was this really cool guy named Gary Gaddini, who found his true love in Anne and married her in a fairy-tale wedding - at least it seemed that way to the teens in the youth group. Eventually they had three daughters and Gary became pastor of this large church in Redwood City.
Between their move to bigger responsibilities and our move cross country, we had lost touch. But Anne contacted me last year to see if I could tack a couple days onto my annual teaching gig at Mount Hermon's writers conference. Funny how long it was on the calendar, and now here I am in Redwood City preparing for tomorrow.
I feel like a queen. My hubby did so much to help me get ready - and drove me to the airport this morning. I flew Jet Blue to Oakland, which is my favorite way of getting here. I had wrangled a cheap price on a rental car from one of those bidding sites, expecting to drive a little tuna fish can. But lo and behold, the woman behind the counter asked me if I'd like to upgrade for 2.50/day to a Sebring convertible!!!! Is that a miracle or what?
And it is a perfect California day today. As I drove across the San Mateo Bridge the only thing that kept it from being perfect was that I was wishing so much that Tripp was here with me. I lived in San Francisco and Marin for 30 years, but he is a native. We really do have to come back here some time together. It is so beautiful.
But so sophisticated and expensive. The women organizing tomorrow's event made my hotel reservation and I was blown away. It's the second nicest hotel I've ever stayed in - second to the Beverly Hills Ritz Carlton where Dreamworks put me up for a press junket/preview of Prince of Egypt. Sometimes I just can't believe that not only has God given me the challenge and blessing of raising 12 kids, but he splashes my life with these amazing and unexpected perks.
So here I am in my black corduroy jeans and burgundy top feeling so un-California. What was I thinking? I am on my way out to enjoy the sunshine and maybe stop at Marshall's for something a little lighter, brighter and more left coast to wear :)
Oh, but I wanted to share a story about Anne Gaddini, who shortly after the birth of her first baby invited our family for dinner.
Now what you need to know is that people seldom ask a big family like ours over for anything - much less dinner. By that time, we had nine children, but Samantha had married Kip, so it was Jasmine (who was in Gary's youth group) and seven kids under nine going to visit Gary, Anne and baby Hannah, who lived in a teensy two-bedroom apartment.
What a brave young woman! But I couldn't imagine the crowd control. Where would we sit?
To top it off, as I recall, it was raining. But the sun was out in the Gaddini home - literally. Anne and Hannah had cut out a big yellow sun and hung it from the ceiling. On the living room floor was a red-checkered tablecloth where we made a picnic of hotdogs and chips - perfect for the kids - admiring the ants that Anne had also constructed to add more realism to the scene.
This is what I was remembering on the way out today. Now Anne has been married 20 years or so and has four children herself - plus her duties as wife of a pastor. I'm sure her imagination has stood her in good stead.
I can't wait to see her tomorrow! And can't wait to meet all these moms and encourage them as they go about the most important job in the world . . . .
Comments
As the mom to 7--soon to be 8--I am always impressed when families (and even childless couples) invite us to dinner. What a darling idea Anne had, the picnic under the sun with the ants! I wonder if we might get more invites if people knew how grateful we would be to have some adult interaction and fun?
Hope your time in California is wonderful and refreshing!
Posted by: Jill S | March 10, 2008 7:25 PM
What a lovely story!
Posted by: Michelle | March 10, 2008 8:43 PM
I love that area. So fresh. So alive. Ill get my hubby there someday I know. Safe, happy travels.
-Shannon
Posted by: Shannon Best | March 10, 2008 10:12 PM
I remember that story from one of your books! Have a wonderful time.
Posted by: Holly | March 11, 2008 12:10 AM
