Celebrations and More! Gloucester, Part II

Sieglinde knows how to celebrate;
she learned this from her mother.
And a thirtieth birthday--just how often do they come along??
Thus, an important holy day of obligation.
The festivities began at a local Gloucester restaurant with family,
closest of East Coast friends, and of course, Dan King.

Look at these b e a u t i f u l young women.
Siegy (Sieglinde) and Samantha (Sam).

Dee and John drove up from Connecticut--an aunt and uncle attend the celebration.
But they showed no embarrassment over their preferred brand of beer!
What I learned about Gloucester includes just why all those Bud
television commercials are so successful.

Dad (Steve) tries to outdo me.

Bio Mom and Dad. (Didn't they do a great job!!)
Steve got the prize for traveling the farthest--
he currently is living and working in Copenhagen.

More beauty.
Fantastic solidarity.
Friends who can count upon one another.
Sam, Siegy
Camille and Ann Marie.

Kim put together a book of Siegy's earlier, childhood life.
Here she cries as Mom and Dan look on.

I too helped with the behind the scenes creation of her book.

Whooo. It was a great night. The next day brought a trip to Rockport, MA.

Totally picturesque on multiple levels.

Fishing is the heart and soul of Gloucester and Rockport.

Dang, they look and are so happy together. What more could parental units ask for??

For anyone who has followed this blog, cemeteries are a big draw.
Can you imagine a better view??? (Well, maybe one along the Cinque Terre in Italy but
in the USA????)

This is the Old First Parish cemetery, established in 1630

This is the grave of a Revolutionary War Veteran (thus the flag and status symbol).
He was a pastor and apparently extremely well regarded and liked. He was described as a great asset to their community and would be very missed....

What a great acknowledgment. Today he is still remembered although time and weather is wearing away the ability to read his tribute. As I read the fading print, I couldn't help but think about those who wrote the words and chiseled their communication to the future.

May we all be remembered with such appreciation.
More celebrating and experiences to follow.

Thank you.