blog nr. 25

Yesterday, for the first time since 1965, Tokuko and I spent Thanksgiving with just the two of us.

In 1965, the year we were married, she and I were in San Diego, California, living in a 2-br duplex close to the 32nd street Naval Station where my ship, the USS Alamo (LSD-33) was berthed. We lived close because I could not afford a car and walked to the ship each day. I don't remember what we did for Thanksgiving: I may have even had duty that day and had to spend the night aboard.

The next year, 1966, we had a new son, I had a new ship (USS John R. Pierce DD-753) homeported out of Brooklyn, NY. We were living in Navy housing out on Long Island. It was our first "real" Thanksgiving as a family.

Since then, with the exceptions when I was out to sea, we have always had the family together for this holiday. It became my favorite holiday. It had everything I love: food, family, football!

Yesterday it was Tokuko and I. We had phone conversations with all the kids but it wasn't the same.

Sadly, this is the way life is. Children grow up, have their own families/friends. As it should be.

But for this old guy, I liked things better when we were all together for this holiday. Tokuko cooked a great turkey and we had good food (and not so good football) but the family was not here.

It would be nice to have the old days return. But I guess Tokuko and I will have to get by with the memories of holidays past.

Damn shame!