Memorial Day. A holiday in the United States to honor those who died while serving in the armed services. Before I launch into the main topic of this blog let me say thank you to all those and their families who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of our country. I hope it was a justified and last resort decision by our government to put you in harms way.
Memorial Weekend. The unofficial start of Summer. Warm weather, BBQ’s, and frosty adult beverages. A time to strip off layers and lather up in sunscreen. A time when Rock and Roll gives way to Country music and Jazz moves aside for Bluegrass. At least on my play lists…
There is certainly room for both perspectives on a long three-day weekend. We can simultaneously pay tribute to those who have passed during dark times while enjoying the brightness and warmth of the sun in the present.
Around the Golden K there’s other reasons for gratitude and remembrance. Events that have greatly shaped this latest phase of mine and Holly’s life.
It was three years ago this Memorial weekend that Golden Kali’s foster care givers drove her and 22 other rescued Golden Retrievers to the airport in Taiwan. The care givers stayed with the Goldens cooing and petting while waiting in the terminal until the last possible moment before placing them in a travel crates for the 12 hour flight to SFO. Meanwhile, Holly and I and our daughter were driving from Livermore to SFO in great anticipation of meeting Kali and welcoming her into our family. The plane landed and eventually the 23 Golden Beauties were wheeled in their travel crates into the terminal and united with their new families for a second and well deserved chance at forever happiness.
It was just one year ago this Memorial weekend that Holly and I closed the door behind us in Livermore and drove away to our new home in the mountains. After 23 years of raising three kids in Livermore we sold our home, packed up our belongings and drove away. But not before taking one last walk around the empty house, mostly in silence, remembering both the good and challenging times with a melancholy fitting for a major life changing event. As we walked out we paused and hugged, choked back a few tears, closed the door, and drove away.
When we drove away Kali – our Golden Treasure – was there by our side as she had been for the past two years. But now there was also Kloe. Kloe – the ten week old precious puppy we adopted just a week before the big move. Some would call it crazy to adopt a puppy before making a major life change. But thats how we roll and we considered ourselves blessed to have this little girl at Kali’s side as we drove into the future.
Our home in the mountains is called The Golden K. A year ago we were mesmerized to be living in the middle of the Stanislaus forest under pines, oaks, and cedars. A year later the magic remains. Except this year the boxes are unpacked and we sit and relax on the patio looking up at the pines, cedars, and oaks reflecting on a year of great change and good fortune. I look down at my feet and see my rock, my girl, my Golden Kali who’s been by my side every day all day for the past three years. Next to Kali is Kloe who a year ago was 15 pounds and now weighs in at 80. Still very much a puppy and so very much a part of the fabric of our lives.
So it’s It’s Memorial Weekend 2017 and we are so blessed here. Here at The Golden K with our two girls and a romantic perspective of life at 3100 feet.
Warm sunny greetings to all from Kali and Kloe @ The Golden K
Golden Kali 