Here I am in Rockville, MD. Had a great, terrific, fun time at the party yesterday. David and Polly threw it in their suite, so it was comfortable, but cozy, and they served up a terrific array of goodies, including sandwiches in pita bread, fresh veggies, and various kinds of pound cake. Naturally, we also enjoyed lots of drinks: several kinds of beer (some from Denmark, as that's where the lucky couple will be stationed), red and white wine, and soft drinks. I skipped the latter--after all, why waste swallowing time?
I was happy to meet Bongsu, Geoffrey's wife. She's a lovely young woman, warm and friendly, and speaks English well. Of course, being with all the Wessels was a treat. Polly has lost a lot of weight; unlike yours truly, she looks ten years younger. David also has lost and is fit and trim.
As it always is, it was great to be with darling Joanie and Jim. Their boy, Jeremy--dashing and handsome in a short beard--is just adorable, so friendly and funny, it's a pleasure to talk to him. I was happy to see Mary Ann come in with her daughter, Diane, and little granddaughter, Emerson, whose mommy, Allison, is awaiting the birth of twin boys, due any day now. I had an odd sense of unreality when it suddenly occurred to me that, of course, four-year-old Emerson is Ken's granddaughter. Ken was killed 26 years ago--how long and how short a time that is.
Mark, Mary Ann's son and Allison's twin, was there. He's a young lawyer in NYC and boy, what a dreamboat! Tall, handsome, and very personable, I'm amazed he hasn't been snatched up yet by some model or socialite.
After the party--crowded with friends of Geoffrey fom UNC,too--we went back to our rooms for an hour or so, then reassembled for dinner. The Reed threesome, Tim and girlfriend, Tori, Dave, and I went across to the street to a high-end seafood place (Polly opted out, understandably pooped). We had drinks at the bar (Long Island iced tea for me) first, then dinner; the crab cakes I had were delicious.
After much talk, many laughs, and that warm sense of belonging you can only get with family, we went back to the Hilton to bed. I got up about 7:00, went for a long walk, and will now meet the gang for breakfast.
Jim remarked that Carolyn's Easter gathering last week was the west coast reunion (Ellen and the other Reed son and wife were there) and this was the east coast one. Yes, and what a great party and a great family!