7.22.08. Matthew was in China for a year, he greeted Brian and me at the doorway with a handshake. Pa led us in a prayer of gratitude in the den; they said it would never come to be. It did. It was only a few days together and we still managed to fight about dumb things, as is my habit, over wearing shorts to church and camping in a bookstore. You try to recall the lighter warmer moments, dining out at Mario’s by Moffet Field, and having gramma bring out a complimentary plate of pasta “for the boys.” Watching the son toss pizza dough in the air over the fire stove. I didn’t get a photograph of the five of us, left the camera behind, but who needs pictures with a memory like mine?

Ma revealed her health problems and we prayed about that, kinda sorta. There’s the roof and the holes in the ceiling. There are dentists who drill holes in your good teeth and neglect the rotten teeth. There is retirement denial.

We went to Yogurtland, and tried the kahlua and the mochi, the taro root. Made a burger at the compound, fingered a les paul at guitar center. Suppose I could have went with Brian and the parents to pick up the car in Alameda, where Edlyn has a new house... Squid and walnut shrimp at Yan Yans on Judah- we've been eating there for 25 years. God Frisco will make ice cubes of your private parts! Caught me off guard walking down Haight Street how frigid and grey it is near the Kezar Stadium. Pretty rockers in scarves and mittens in Amoeba.... And De Young museum across from the Aquarium in Golden Gate Park; ran into Brian’s friend and husband. Everyone sees wedding bells these days.