Pittsburgh, PA

Okay, this post will be one of three for our Pittsburgh travels. (Yes, still catching up with blogging from summer events.)

Our Pittsburgh host was Kay (Karen) Marryshow -- attorney, post-airlift volunteer for the children evacuated to Pittsburgh from Haiti, world traveler and former model, granddaughter of TA Marryshow, mother of three fabulous children, and one of the most generous spirits I've met in my 39 years. Her daughter, Grace, became best friends with my Anna at Avonworth Elementary when Anna and Jameson lived in Pitt.  The girls have stayed in touch, and when Kay learned that we were considering a visit to Pittsburgh, she insisted we stay with them -- all 6 of my crew! 

 Kay and Gordie provided lodging and gourmet meals and chauffeured us all over the city of bridges. As if that weren't enough, they offered to host a huge cookout so our kids could visit easily with the three boys adopted by Pittsburgh families with whom Anna and Jameson had lived at the orphanage in Haiti as well as in Pitt for the year following the earthquake.

When I finally wore Kay down and convinced her to let me help with a few of the dishes was when I happened to notice the small tattoo on the inside of her wrist -- "want less." She explained it's her constant challenge, inspired by Buddhism. She was comfortable, yet entirely humble in discussing her "imperfect" focus on letting go of expectations. Living alongside her for a few days, I was easily inspired by how effectively she has given herself to being present for others, even to and for a family from Illinois who had been strangers.

The gals.

 

Chad and Gordie

 

 

That's a crew! Kay's oldest son, Welcome, is pictured standing on the right, and Grace's twin, Prosper, stands to the left. While Anna visited with her "old" friend, the rest of us had a relaxing and fun time making new ones.

 

 

Pictured here are five of the twelve orphanage mates of which Anna and Jameson were a part -- the dozen kiddos who continued to live together in Pittsburgh before going home to their families. Stanley (white T-shirt) stands in the back-right behind his younger brother, Kensley, and Fekens holds down the  center spot.  Their familiarity with one another was instantaneous -- like cousins visiting each other on a holiday.

Fekens is the liveliest of the crew, although, they could all hold their own just fine . . . except Anna who wanted no part of the horseplay.

 

 

This picture brings me peace.

 

 

On a different note, want to talk serendipity?   Kay's mom worked in healthcare and knew Dr. Utberg, the obstetrician who delivered years ago at North Hills Passavant Hospital a baby girl named "Sherry."  Yeah, THIS "baby girl."  I took a journey to "Haiti" and ended up where I began.