Alex picked me up after work yesterday and drove me to his home in Denver for dinner. Upon arrival, and after hugs by Debra, Celeste and Caroline I was introduced to Celeste's guy, Joe Guy.
He appears to be a wonderful engaging and humorous young man. Originally from Boston he arrived in Denver several years before. He is in construction hoping to become a self employed general contractor. I enjoyed his easy going company very much.
Who can forget little Caroline? She and Clara---my little once long ago step daughter were best friends! They were like "peas and carrots" as Forrest Gump once said.
When I see Caroline I see Clara. Even after all these years I can still see the two of them riding their bikes down the Harvard Gulch trail laughing. Then my eyes tear up. Makes me miss Ally too! Memories can be dangerous and wonderful simultaneously like a two edged sword. Joyous and bittersweet.
I remember Celeste's sweet quiet disposition with a ready smile, laughing at anything I say.
Ivan, the oldest, is serving his country at Ft Leonard Wood in Missouri attending OCS. His quiet strong presence is sorely missed here tonight!
Ah, the Kommodores.
We all gathered around the dinner table. I took my regular place at the end opposite my host, Alex. Alex prepared a fish entre (cod) which was breaded and had a crispy crunch. The sides included potato strips with Jalapeño along with slices of red garden fresh tomatoes garnished with cheese and a balsamic sauce drizzled over them. To top things off Alex made a batch of homemade beer with an understated citrus twist to it.
We talked of all our yesterdays of those who no longer grace our days leaving holes in our hearts. We reminisced of the times when Mardell, Clara and Sarah and I would visit and stay for dinner talking well into the night. As much as I enjoy all my visits here I find myself missing my Grider family feeling that something is amiss and cannot be regained hard as I may try.
We spoke of supernatural " God" experiences we have had through the preceding years as well as all of the people, places and things I encountered along the way from Illinois through the places of nowhere to here in Denver, my spiritual home.
After that marvelous dinner we retreated out into the cool night to the back patio where Alex chopped some firewood and coaxed up a warm cozy fire in his fire pit. Some of us draped blankets around our shoulders as we ate vanilla ice cream covered in cubed Colorado peaches.
I fired up my savinelli pipe and smoked a couple of bowls of rivendale tobacco staring at the now soft glow of our dying fire my thoughts drifting in between more story telling.
Then, it was time to go. I said my goodbyes and gave my thanks for a great evening of friendship, great food, warm fires and inspiring fellowship. I slipped away into the night back to my temp home at the Nelsons stepping quietly inside with no one stirring. Kicked off my shoes and fell into bed falling straight way into a deep sleep---dreaming of what---I don't know. Then dawn quickly came and I now find myself at the Fireside Books and Coffee. Last night quickly and with finality faded away into that universe of memory from which someday I will draw off of remembering bittersweet times with dear friends.
The second to last photo is an empty chair representing the unseen guests whose presence we miss greatly especially little Clara who would have loved being here last night. Goodnight Clara---wherever you are.
