Blessings

Although I perhaps have never spoken of it, but I am an enthusiastic supporter of Judiasm and Israel and fascinated with it's people and culture. Today, during my return from lunch in downtown Seattle, I had hopped a bus back to the office. As I boarded, I noticed a man who adorned in the longish jewish black coat, black hat, white shit, and sporting a full beard, he was clearly an orthodox jew, and I did not hestitate to start a conversation. "Do you know of a synagoge in downtown Seattle?", I asked. He responded, clearly seeing a friendly face, "I don't, I've only been to Seattle twice." I moved over to a seat closer and carried on a conversation. He had just arrived in Seattle from Jerusalem, Israel. He was only going to be here one day before heading out to Los Angeles, California, but before leaving Seattle, he wanted to see Seattle's Space Needle. Perhaps the entire ride was seven to eight minutes, but they were precious moments. I felt blessed. I had to depart the bus, and forgot to even ask his name, but smile thinking of one of his last sentences to me, "Seattle has to be the friendliest large cities in the U.S." I had helped create a positive image of my new home, Seattle. I had shaken the hand of a man of the holy city Jerusalem. I had seen him smile, and I had felt illuminated myself. This is the first time I had met and spoken with orthodox jewish man, and let alone, a person who resides in Jerusalem, the city I yearn to one day visit myself. I send him all my blessings.

Seattle 2005

Last April I relocated to Seattle, Washington from the beautiful city of Portland, Oregon. It was a much dreaded move, but to my surprise, it's been a wonderful experience and positive change. The land of Mt. Rainer, MicroSoft, and the San Juan Islands, is now my home. I actually live in a small suburb, the City of Kent, approximately 20 miles from Seattle City proper. I commute daily to work at Grange Insurance where I was rehired as a Casualty Claims Adjuster. Grange has eliminate all the pilot offices into the Home Office Seattle location. It's been a great move for me thus far. I've been able to earn sufficient income to be able to help my daughters, and to afford to bring them to Seattle to visit. Today, July 14th, 2006, my daughter is meeting me near the Westlake Mall in downtown Seattle to head out to the University District for shopping. She's been here since July 9th, and plans on staying with me through August 11th. I love being able to spend time with Nia, my 16 y.o. It's one thing to pay child support, and a whole 'nother thing to have the blessing of their physical presence. She lives in Rochester, NY with her mother most of the year. I also recently got a new apartment in Kent, WA. A one bedroom, but it has a wonderful view of Mt. Rainier and the full moon. The view is a million dollar view if I were in downtown Seattle. If there is any negative association with being here in Seattle, it's not have the closeness of friends. Oh well, life goes on.