While we lived in White Salmon we were lucky enough to be adopted by (and to adopt) some honorary grandparents for our kids, Rich and Carla. These two empty-nesters had kids and grandkids living far away, just as our own families were far away. They became dear friends who filled in some gaps in our lives, and we think we did the same for them.
They were always willing to help with our kids, and in fact, were our only local confidantes during Damon's job interviewing. To tell you what kind of people they are, they welcomed our 4 kids into their house for two nights just a couple of hours after arriving back from their own road trip. They are the only people we trusted to take care of the kids while Damon and I flew to California for his interview in Sunnyvale. The kids had a ball going to the movies, playing on the slip 'n' slide, and baking cookies. Carla even had all their clothes laundered and the kids bathed and ready for bed when we picked them up Saturday night. These are some great people.
We loved having dinner at the Potters. They sometimes joined us at our house, especially when "bachelor" Rich got left behind while Carla was off visiting her real grandchildren, but we were often at their place on Sundays for hours enjoying a meal and just visiting and playing. We also spent several Christmas Eves at their home with a few other families eating goodies, exchanging gifts, and having a Nativity program. There were years when we weren't sure the snow would be clear enough for us to make it to their driveway, but we always managed and were so glad we did.
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| Rich is surely sharing some funny story about his days as a forester. |
Carla took care of everyone and never let us do the dishes. And they always seemed to have ice cream in the freezer.
When we moved to Milpitas, Damon left about 10 days before the kids and I did so that he could start his new job and find a home for us. A couple weeks before he left, we realized that Carla and Rich would not be returning from their own vacation before Damon left town, so we knew we needed one more Sunday afternoon with them. We went over shortly after church and didn't go home until it was nearly dark. While we were there, I sent Adah around the house to take photos of the things she wanted to remember about our friends' home. Here's a sampling of the things that are special to Adah, and me, that I thought would be fun to share.
Rich's mint jar: He always had mints in his pockets at church and Adah loved them. When he learned the other kids didn't like mint, he stocked up on Baskin Robbins hard candies, like cookies 'n' cream, for them.
Adah learned just where to find the mints when we were at Rich's house.
Rich's forest signs and antlers: Their upstairs hallway walls were covered with all kinds of signs warning about logging roads being impassable, forest fires, and who knows what else--all ephemera from Rich's career as a forester.
The toys and their bin: Every time we came, this bin of toys got pulled out from the closet under the stairs.
Hanging above Carla's kitchen sink:
Another favorite activity when visiting Carla and Rich was to plunder carrots from the fridge and take them to the neighbor's horses. Usually Damon and Rich would wander through the trees by their house with the kids while Carla and I stayed inside to clean up dinner or just chat with our feet curled up on the couch. Sometimes we'd all go.
We were sure sad to leave behind these wonderful friends. One of Rich's greatest laments was that Holly was just finally warming up to him. We couldn't have made our move without them. Aside from packing and watching kids in the week Damon was gone, Carla took the kids to her house while we loaded the truck and cleaned the house, and then they gave us all a place to sleep that final night in White Salmon when our house was vacant. These are good, kind people.
We know that these are life-long friends, and hope they'll visit us soon!
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