Old Stomping Grounds

I made my trip to California to visit Dave's mom and sisters. They weren't physically able to be at Dave's service, so I was glad we could be together.  

I stayed with our good friends, Andy and Sandy. Their Craftsman-style home is on a beautiful street at the base of the Whittier foothills. For our first four years of marriage, we lived not too far from them in a cute little bungalow we rented. Dave and I would regularly walk up the hill to hang out with them on Friday nights and eat the plate-sized brownies Sandy served. (Sandy is still a feeder. I came home with a few extra pounds incidentally.) 

Being with Andy and Sandy was therapy. Their guest room has French doors looking out onto the historic homes on their street. I did a painting of bougainvillea that drape over many of the homes' front entrances. 

Except for a few days of rain, the weather was perfect--typical sunny California. As I walked around our old stomping ground in uptown Whittier, I was flooded with memories and tears. I missed Dave so much. One day, no doubt, the memories will bring a sweet ache, not the stabbing pain in my heart I have now. One day.