*and her husband -* ** ** *Thank you for making our family reunion a uniquely singular moment of understanding, joy, giving, and sharing - true spirit of the occasion. If only yours truly had time outside of your common, lively and animated but deep conversations, being awed by the tall redwoods of California, the cool breeze seemingly emanating from the awesome topography of the Pacific shoreline, the delectable nourishment for our body and mind - every moment is worth a poem writing, but definitely to be indelibly retained in memory!*
* * *And even our typically aloof Tita Elsa contributed (by telephone) her humility and sharing (she spent more time listening and asking questions than talking) simply unbelievable!* * * *But he treasured the most not only the camaraderie, let alone the many intellectually stimulating and challenging conversations, but also the motherly attention that his sister Aida gave, especially when he went to San Francisco (SF); she was like a mother hen making sure her flock is around!* * * *Aida is indeed extremely lucky to have a singing husband Ron who, a perfectionist, was self criticizing his Christmas cantor performance at his church whereas to already a discriminating ears of yours truly moved him to sing along with the crowd (e.g., Gloria). Not a good idea – his high blood pressure acted up again!* * * *SF is not just a city by the bay. It is a paradise of historic and architecturally well-designed edifices like around the Civic Center covered hills complete with the glittering and multi-colored Yuletide decorations (e.g., giant shining red tinsels around one of the buildings, so beautiful that many were taking pictures). With the multitude of smiling people simply taking their time promenading with their families and friends on Christmas Day when practically all the shops were closed, yours truly made an inspired walk from the City Hall to the Embarcadero.* * * *The Bart train ride, even if he was lost on the way back going all the way to Dublin (not in Ireland, mind you) was a delight especially watching the lights of the cities (SF, Oakland, etc.) against the eerie beckoning luminescence of the Bay Bridge on a foggy evening (remember London?).* * * *But every good thing has to last to be remembered. So lest he forgets, here is his itinerary for his return home to the Loma Linda/San Bernardino areas:* *Thursday, December 29, 2011 * *4784 Thruway Connecting Service (SJC<javascript:var%20child=window.open('http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Satellite?SnippetName=IBLegacy&pagename=am/AM_Snippet_C/SnippetWrapper&code=SJC','station','directories=0,dependent=1,menubar=0,top=20,left=20,width=680,height=600,scrollbars=1');child.focus();>- SBA<javascript:var%20child=window.open('http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Satellite?SnippetName=IBLegacy&pagename=am/AM_Snippet_C/SnippetWrapper&code=SBA','station','directories=0,dependent=1,menubar=0,top=20,left=20,width=680,height=600,scrollbars=1');child.focus();>) * *Depart: * *7:35 am, Thu, Dec 29, 2011 * *Arrive: * *1:45 pm, Thu, Dec 29, 2011 * *Duration: * *6 hr, 10 min * * * *784 Pacific Surfliner (SBA<javascript:var%20child=window.open('http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Satellite?SnippetName=IBLegacy&pagename=am/AM_Snippet_C/SnippetWrapper&code=SBA','station','directories=0,dependent=1,menubar=0,top=20,left=20,width=680,height=600,scrollbars=1');child.focus();>- LAX<javascript:var%20child=window.open('http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Satellite?SnippetName=IBLegacy&pagename=am/AM_Snippet_C/SnippetWrapper&code=LAX','station','directories=0,dependent=1,menubar=0,top=20,left=20,width=680,height=600,scrollbars=1');child.focus();>) * *Depart: * *2:00 pm, Thu, Dec 29, 2011 * *Arrive: * *4:55 pm, Thu, Dec 29, 2011 * *Duration: * *2 hr, 55 min * * * *And of course, he’ll take the Metroliner again from Los Angeles.* * * *December 27, 2011* *Jess Ragaza <http://www.sameby2016.com/jess_curr_vita.htm> http://www.sameby2016.com/jess_curr_vita.htm*