2010 Highlights

Bellessa Siblings at a Seattle Wedding

A happy year with visitis from grandchildren at Easter

Greg and David at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach

 Lots of reasons to dress up

Monkey Stella

Fairy Princess Megan

Ella and Wyatt

Beautiful Bride Anna

NYC Birthday With Scout

Weston David Bellessa

George Stratford Barker

 The birth of two grandsons a week apart:

Calder's Baptism in Grandma's Pond

George's Baby Blessing

Enjoying a Beautiful Autumn

Balboa Island With Friends From High School

Enjoying The Warmth of Mexico

Before Returning to Utah Snow

Santa is Ready For Christmas

The Tree is Trimmed and Waiting

Lots of Love

Lots to Be Thankful For

Old Friends

Life can bring wonderful unexpected surprises. This last week was one of those as I gathered with three friends (as a result of Facebook) to catch up on 48 years. The experience was truly enriching and full of wonder as we told our life stories and shared the ups and downs of our years apart. Each of us could sense a feeling of having been directed and blessed through the journeys we related. We live in different places, have taken different directions, but still have the bond that brought us together so many years ago at Berkeley High School Class of 1962.

We were all members of social units (like sororities). In the context of the 60's in Berkeley there was some skepticism regarding almost everything. We decided there was a certain amount of exclusivity and pompousness in these groups that we were a little stuffy so we started our own "exclusive" tongue and cheek "Cuties" club. We had our own initiation and meetings. Although we continued our involvement with the larger groups we enjoyed our own get-togethers and bonding. After high school we all went separate ways as I eventually moved to Utah and the other girls attended different colleges.

I met Pam in an English class. She was always dressed so cute in her Lanz dresses and Capezio shoes. In high school my father was a graduate student at UC Berkeley while my mother taught school. We were quite poor and lived in the "flats" of Berkeley which was a definite social disadvantage but Pam reached out to me and we were eventually asked to join the Spartan social unit where we became fast friends. She was the first to marry of all of us and spent years living off the land in Montana. She and her family eventually made it back to the Bay Area where she worked and lived until their move six years ago to Washington State. She is still gracious and friendly and gave us some good cooking tips and a wonderful meal one night of our stay. She and her husband have raised a beautiful family and she is now probably one of the best grandmas ever.
I was very short and didn't have the nicest clothes but I started work at 14 at the Berkeley Daily Gazette as a copy/file clerk girl. I remember saving my money to buy one or two special pieces of clothing. My mother taught school next to a Goodwill store in Oakland so the ladies there got to know her and would save any "Lanz" dress that came in or special things in my size. I would buy Capezio shoes to go with the used clothing so I looked more presentable. I remember some really cute corduroy Bermuda shorts that I bought for $2.50 at Hinks. This photo was taken soon after graduation to send to one of my "special" missionaries.
Nancy lived "up on the hill" in a beautiful home. She was so sweet and fun. She was in many of the school plays and was interested in drama. Her mother was also a fun person who entertained us when we would come to visit. Nancy presented us with special cuties rings (pictured below) that her mother made for us. She so generously had us stay in her home on Balboa Island and entertained us graciously just as her mother did. We met her stunning daughter Lindsay who reminded me of "Greta Garbo" with her beautiful complexion and fabulous eyes.

Trudy grew up the street from Nancy.  They attended elementary school together and have continued their friendship through the years.   I knew Trudy from Garfield Jr. High then again at Berkeley High.  I always thought she was such an unpretentious and kind person.  Being with her again only reinforced that feeling.  She has started her own archaeological research company and lives happily with her husband and family in Redding CA.

Our Spartan years and group shots.
I had dark hair in this one because I was performing as one of the many wives in the "King and I" at school.
The three of us.
This is Pam and me with my cousin Karen behind. (note..I have on a Lanz dress from Goodwill)
Cutie Ring 48 years old.

The Earl Cottage on Jade Street.
Pam and Hilma
Balboa Bay

We talked and talked and talked, walked, reminisced, looked through our yearbook,  laughed a lot,  ate great food...and went for a picnic and a movie.


An important Balboa passage is eating at Ruby's on the Pier.


Nancy treated us all to a luxury pedicure which included flavored drinks, foot massages with our choice of aroma therapy.  It was relaxing and fun.  The results are pictured below.

I am reminded of a quote by Count Leo Tolstoy from his book Resurrection.  "And his mind passed through those phases in which a face which we have not seen for many years first strikes us with the outward changes brought about  during the time of separation, and then gradually becomes more and more like its old self when the changes made by time seem to disappear, and before our spiritual eyes rises only the principal expression of one exceptional, unique individuality."

For myself our time together only reinforced the knowledge that relationships are our most valuable eternal possession that goes with us and give us joy beyond the veil.  The 48 years melted away as soon as we saw each other again.  Thanks to everyone for such a wonderful experience.

Family

For the first time in two years all the Stratford siblings gathered in Midway with their children. They gathered at Amy and Brian's condo where all 17 took care of naps, meals, dirty diapers, tantrums, nights up with babies and general chaos. Grandma and David got to have the grandchildren over to play at their house sometimes one or two at a time and sometimes the whole group gathered there. It was so wonderful to see the growth and development of each family. We loved seeing them play and enjoy each other's company and to strenghten the bonds of family love.

Ella and Vera came and we spent time making beautiful ladies from Hollyhocks and other flowers. As we did so I was able to talk about what it was like when I was a little girl their ages.

The weather was pefect and Ella was so creative and artistic in her designs

Ella and Vera are sweet sisters and play well (most of the time.)
Scout and Calder's favorite activity was playing in the pond. At her suggestion I bought a shark and floating chair to go along with the alligator.
Calder is a kind sweet boy who took time to watch and play with the younger children.
We had a fun evening at a local park. Stella had a good time with her watermelon rind with David looking on.
Crosby and Vera had a good time watching their favorite show, Dora.
The alligator went on a trip to The Homestead pool.
I loved seeing everyone in the pool having a good time.
Doing puzzles with Sara's help.
A glorious morning watching the sunrise when a friend took us fishing in Deer Creek Reservoir.
Our poles weren't out very long before we started catching big Utah trout. (16")
The final count was impressive. Both Calder and Scout provided us with a good Sunday meal.
Breakfast at Wasatch State Park.
I took Ella and Vera on a nature walk but as Ella looked ahead at the darkness she decided it would be safer to not go in there because there might be bears.
We went hiking up Snake Creek Canyon. Crosby had such a good time throwing rocks into the water as we passed.
Handsome Crosby and Calder.
Wyatt and Hank are meeting their little cousin George for the first time. They loved being with the babies.
A special dinner just the adults at the Snake Creek Grill. Starr had arranged for babysitters to come. While we were having a night out the cousins got to stay up..have snacks and have a cousin party. When we got home they were having a wonderful time and the house was orderly and put together..an amazing feat for the babysitters.
David worked hard at the office each day taking care of a lot my duties so I could spend time with the kids. They are always happy when he joins in. He truly is "the baby whisperer."
I walked in one evening to find at least 6 Mac computers on the table. This was part of the "togetherness" as they were on separate sites with occasional comments to each other.
Scout was a good "big cousin" to the younger ones.
This was the first time any of the children had been in Midway for Swiss Days..which is a MAJOR event. For two days the population of our little town swells to about 100,000 people. Some of the locals leave town to miss all the hub bub. Scout decided it was her very most favorite thing and asked her parents to allow her to bring some friends out from NYC for a sweet sixteen party (when she gets to that age.)
We all dressed up in Swiss outfits (Emma was a bride) for the Swiss Days Parade.

Scout was a tireless worker as she peddled Halloween decorations at the booth from a store that I own part of.
The main event was the baptism of Calder and the blessing of baby George. I had worked tirelessly preparing the pond for this event. My pond is fed by warm springs and in one area it is fairly deep. It was a beautiful event..so special as his father performed this sacred ordinance with the whole family present.

Here is Brian the proud father after giving George a name and a blessing.
I love George's name because that was my father's name. Brian's grandfather was also named George. He is a miracle and so welcomed and loved.

Here is how the family has grown in two years. Greg (David's son) came with Emma, Jamie and new baby Weston to support and share this great day. It is so worth any effort it takes to be together..to love and share the happy days . We have such wonderful memories of our time together. As Grandma Stratford would say, "This day will never come again."