[Gathnet] The doings at Pilgrim Rest

[stuart gathman]

Dear Gathnetters,

I just want to let you all know about a wonderful couple of weeks we 
experienced. The fun was generated by the commissioning of the USS 
/Makin Island/ here in San Diego and its first cruise as a Navy ship in 
which family members could go along.

On the 21 of October, Jon arrived from Saint Louis and the Kurt Glennons 
arrived from Florida. We had a full house again (after a long time). It 
was good to see them again. Joni Glennon had some good news that they 
will be having a baby in a few months! They went from here to Rome for a 
European visit before they had a family and couldn't really do that kind 
of things again for a number of years.

Jon, Anita, Anne, Sue, Maddie, Robert, Alex and I attended the 
commissioning of the ship. It was very impressive to watch. Speeches by 
a number of navy officials, the marine band playing etc. But the really 
impressive thing was the “manning” of the ship. They had the whole crew 
and a lot of marines run on board. It was a very sunny day but with hats 
etc. we made it OK.

We discovered after this that Anne had a case of shingles! We were able 
to make it to the doctors office soon enough to get the medicine to help 
the pain etc. (Thank goodness Obamacare was not in effect at this point!!)

We had a wonderful Sunday with Jon playing Rachel's cello for the 
service. Monday morning, Anita droped Beth, Jon and I off at the ship 
for a 3 day cruise. Anne stayed with the McClatchies. We met the parents 
of one of Jim's friends who were Christians and it was a wonderful time. 
The only grip I had was that Jim was called to the Bridge to be in 
charge of ship operations too much. But we did spend some time 
together... Three of my kids being all together was wonderful. I had 
some trouble with my /stenosis/ problem had some problems going down and 
up 9 deck levels on ship ladders. But it was really a lot of fun. My 
overall impression of the men and women serving on the ship is that they 
were first class people. I am very proud of all of them.

We did get rested and I was able to handle my physics class yesterday 
with no more problems than normal.

Anita, Anna and Rachel are heading to Wheaton in a week or so for Anna's 
audition for the music program.


Love to all,

der alt Grossvater