Late to the party but wanted to say that I always thought my city would be San Francisco too. My dad was in the restaurant business and we took regular exploratory trips to SF. I remember being maybe 10 years old and sitting on the windowsill of the hotel where we were staying and deciding that I would live in San Francisco, or certainly a bigger city than Boise. Like you I ended up in Seattle. And I love it. But I still always wonder what my life would have been in San Francisco.
Molly, it’s Sunday morning here in OKC. My wife is asleep next to me. I picked up my phone to order an air mattress but got distracted taking a quick look at my inbox. There you were! I jumped into your tale and as Shar slept, I felt my face break into a smile (and I might’ve chortled a time or two) especially as I was reading about the laugh/cry ride on the tiny train (been there!) and your delightful adventure with June. You told these stories with ease and without fuss, elevating a simple life experience into the quiet and yet exceptional adventure it was. In some ways, I felt as if I was there too. I can already tell, this is going to be a special day.
Oh, I love the steam trains! I'm a fan of the Little Farm and the carousel in Tilden, too. I started working for the park district a few years ago and it's been so fun to be behind the scenes on the parks I've enjoyed for years.
So special to share a city that means a lot with a daughter. My youngest daughter fell in love with my favourite city that I no longer live in (Edinburgh), from trips just the two of us took from when she was about the same age as June. She has now lived there as long as I ever did and intends to stay longer. It’s a joy to visit her of course. As you say, so much has changed since I lived there, but there are also so many things that are just the same!
A day in a city with one of my kiddos is one of my favorite things, even though they’re all grown up now. I loved getting taken along on your day with June--I felt the sacredness of the day. Also, living here in Oakland, I routinely drive a bend on highway 24 with a view of SF and the bay and Mount Tam in all its glory and I always get that “I can’t believe I live here” feeling. 😌
Molly. My gosh. It’s really something, reading your words, zipping up into your experience. You are so subtle and masterful in the ways you evoke emotion. Thank you for your writing!
What a lovely story & was so glad to re-read about your family. We have similar story, 4 half siblings - but secret first marriage in 1940s (maybe no divorce?!)
Oh how I love San Francisco! I’ve never lived there but I’ve visited often, and I can’t wait to share the city with my daughter some day. We’re planning a small family-of-three trip to NYC this summer; thanks for stirring up some excitement about family travel!
Late to the party but wanted to say that I always thought my city would be San Francisco too. My dad was in the restaurant business and we took regular exploratory trips to SF. I remember being maybe 10 years old and sitting on the windowsill of the hotel where we were staying and deciding that I would live in San Francisco, or certainly a bigger city than Boise. Like you I ended up in Seattle. And I love it. But I still always wonder what my life would have been in San Francisco.
Molly, it’s Sunday morning here in OKC. My wife is asleep next to me. I picked up my phone to order an air mattress but got distracted taking a quick look at my inbox. There you were! I jumped into your tale and as Shar slept, I felt my face break into a smile (and I might’ve chortled a time or two) especially as I was reading about the laugh/cry ride on the tiny train (been there!) and your delightful adventure with June. You told these stories with ease and without fuss, elevating a simple life experience into the quiet and yet exceptional adventure it was. In some ways, I felt as if I was there too. I can already tell, this is going to be a special day.
June still wants to hold your hand when you walk! How precious.
Oh, I love the steam trains! I'm a fan of the Little Farm and the carousel in Tilden, too. I started working for the park district a few years ago and it's been so fun to be behind the scenes on the parks I've enjoyed for years.
So special to share a city that means a lot with a daughter. My youngest daughter fell in love with my favourite city that I no longer live in (Edinburgh), from trips just the two of us took from when she was about the same age as June. She has now lived there as long as I ever did and intends to stay longer. It’s a joy to visit her of course. As you say, so much has changed since I lived there, but there are also so many things that are just the same!
A day in a city with one of my kiddos is one of my favorite things, even though they’re all grown up now. I loved getting taken along on your day with June--I felt the sacredness of the day. Also, living here in Oakland, I routinely drive a bend on highway 24 with a view of SF and the bay and Mount Tam in all its glory and I always get that “I can’t believe I live here” feeling. 😌
Molly. My gosh. It’s really something, reading your words, zipping up into your experience. You are so subtle and masterful in the ways you evoke emotion. Thank you for your writing!
What a lovely story & was so glad to re-read about your family. We have similar story, 4 half siblings - but secret first marriage in 1940s (maybe no divorce?!)
Oh how I love San Francisco! I’ve never lived there but I’ve visited often, and I can’t wait to share the city with my daughter some day. We’re planning a small family-of-three trip to NYC this summer; thanks for stirring up some excitement about family travel!