It is surprising just how tired Kay and I were after the Buffalo family came to town. I think this is a great representation of just how much fun we had together. First a little back ground information, this is a fun story!
I was adopted at birth. My biological mother was young and her parents encouraged her to give me up for adoption. Turns out that my mom (the one who adopted me) was the nurse helping Louise (my biological mother) in a maternity ward. My mom got wind that Louise was leaning towards putting me up for adoption so she approach Louise with information about a nice couple who was looking to adopt a baby boy. Unbeknownist to Louise, the nurse turned out to be one of the young couple interested. My mom was in the delivery room and was one of the very first people to hold me.
Both of my parents were always very open with me about me being adopted. While I was curious about my biological family, I spent most of my life content that I had two loving parents who did the best they knew how to raise me. While I didn’t always agree with them, they were my parents and I didn’t feel the urge to seek out new parents.
Both of my parents passed away several years ago when I was in my 30’s and I was reaching the age where my doctors were asking more about my family history. So I felt it was time to seek out my parents and find out was, if any, medical conditions I should be on guard for. I’ll save the part about how we found one another for another story and instead jump ahead to our most recent family vacation.
This trip was postponed from last year when I took ill and suffered from one of those medical problems it turns out is in my geans. There were only two requested hot spots Louise and family wanted to see, Mt. Saint Helen’s and the Pacific Ocean.
As most of you know, Oregon in October is hit or miss: so Kay and I were not too sure we’d be able to see much of the Volcano nor have a very pleasant time at the coast. Never-the-less, we planned the trips anyways. It turns out that both Kay and I are in the good graces of god because he blessed us with amazing weather on the perfect days!
The family flew in on Tuesday. We rented a mini van so we didn’t have to split up into two vehicles. Considering everyone had been traveling for six plus hours, we knew lunch immediately upon arrival was a must. We originally planned on Chinese but our favorite restaurant has taken a turn for the worse so we went with plan B, Red Robin’s. Turns out the family all LOVES Red Robbin.
I had arranged to play in the worship team band at church because my family had NEVER heard me play. Louise had written in the adoption agreement a request that should I should any predisposition towards music that I be allowed to pursue it. I did, and they did. After my stint in the US Army Band, I hung up my music career for when I was older and better off financially. This last year was my time for reentry into the world of instrumental music.
After lunch we went back ot he house so everyone could un pack and get settled. I had a rehearsal later that evening, so we were limited on what we could on this first day.
As it turned out, my brother, Tom, celebrated his 37’s birthday on the day they arrived. Kay and I wanted to take everyone out for a special dinner so we went for steak at Syler’s in Portland. Since 1948 Syler’s has been offering the 72oz meal challenge. When Tom saw the opportunity to eat a 72oz steak for free he said, “I wish I hadn’t eatin’ lunch.”
Louise is a lobster lover, so she got the twin lobster tail dinner. Kay and Tammy had the prime rib, Tommy and I had the Ribeye and Katelyn had Mac and Cheese. After the great feast we headed back from home where I left everyone at attended the final rehearsal at church.
to be continued…
