Seattle MEL-L Reunion - July 11, 1998

We all met in Mercer Island Community Center and had a lovely catered lunch. All these was arranged by Katie Murphy-pitching in at the last minute since I was so busy with my parents and Penny was with Terry. I got there early and only Katie was there and I immediately (surprise) was nervous-no one had shown up and I had heard about these Seattle gatherings where no one shows! But eventually we were joined by Mark, Kevin and his son Christopher, Joe, Don, Dan and Paul. We all shared our stories and photos of our families. Martha Jondle came through with some wonderful banners she Fed Ex'd to Mark-that Martha-she always comes through. We had a wonderful catered lunch, then sat around and chatted. I finally had to get going around 3:30 or so-my dad was having a very hard time breathing that day. I think what I got from this was that we all shared and had this common thread and felt no awkwardness sharing our experiences. And we all knew one another and our stories from Mel-L, so no lengthy explanation was necessary. For me, that was the most wonderful part-the explanations are exhausting! I left, very glad that I know these people and that so many have been there for me and that I could be there for them.

Leslie M. Phillips