Memorized Moments

    I have stated previously that I am not an observant person.  I don't notice what vehicles my acquaintances drive, what they are wearing (with the occasional exception of earrings) or a weight loss/gain of less that 40 lbs.  I pay more attention to how people seem to feel than how they look or even what they say.  This is a blessing as well as a curse.  I may not notice your 10 lb. weight loss, but neither do I notice your stained clothes or bad hair day.  I am unobservant but also untroubled.  But there are moments I try to memorize.  Mostly these occur when we are traveling but not usually in the picture postcard places you would expect.  This is especially important to me when I need a sustaining vision to get me through the dreary days of winter.  I store these impressions in my memory, paying careful attention to the sights, sounds and feel.  One of these stored memories is of being in Phoenix in January many years ago, sitting with Reed by the pool of the Residence Inn with my legs in the water, warm and content, looking up at the stars and deep blue twilight  I can't edit out the sound of airplanes because the hotel was near the airport, but I can call that moment into my mind, complete with soundtrack.
     Another memorized, magical moment was in the Bavarian themed town of Leavenworth, WA at Christmas time.  Christmas music was playing, the shops were decorated and the lights on the large plaza trees were reflected by the snow on the ground and softened against the twilight blue sky.  It was all the magic of Christmas in a mental snaphot.  I believe I will have it forever.
     Today I am in Port Orchard, WA.  We left behind subzero, January weather.  After the morning fog burned off, it was sunny and in the mid 50's.  Our hotel is on the bay and I walked from here to the waterfront park and marina.  I filled my eyes with boats, water and the green plants that I won't see in Montana for months.  I listened to the sound of the water lapping on the shore, the call of gulls, barks of seals and mournful boat whistles.  I wore the expensive red wool jacket that Dad bought as a love gift for Mom and she rejected.  I had chili and chai tea in a diner, aptly named "The Hideaway".  I was the only customer and there was a television in the corner tuned to soaps. I stood by the water and memorized the mildness of the moment so I can keep it with me in years to come, and I am journaling it here for myself, if no one else.
     Port Orchard was discovered by Captain Vancouver and originally named Sidney, after the father of the man who platted it.  In the early 1800's canoes were the most convenient way to travel and trade from here, sails and rudders made the trips faster and allowed more passengers, this led to fleets of steamships whose comparative speed got them the nickname "Mosquitoes".  Roads made the little boats obsolete, but there is still a foot ferry to Bremerton from here. 
     The town appears old.  There are multistoried houses of all ages and conditions perched on steep hillsides with roads that would be impassable in the winter in icy weather.  Except for being on a bay, it reminds me of old mining towns in Montana.  This was what I call "a day like a cup of tea", warm, satisfying, perfect.  Why am I so surprised that God knows how to make me happy, that He gives me these comforting, memorized moments?