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                                                                                                                              11/19/2006

   Great story, Saturday morning Betty and I went out with some friends for breakfast (this is going to be a little too long but ya have to understand what happened to put us in the right place at the right time). We took our normal 1 1/2 hours just sitting and talking, Betty took a little longer because she decided to have a desert after breakfast. Just before finishing I asked out friends, Sally and Steve, if they wanted to drive up to NAS Jax to the exchange. Everyone was for it so we discussed what needed to be accomplished before we left town. Steve was to leave his car at our house and I was to do the driving. First we both needed to stop at the post office so I told Steve to come on over and drop his car and we would do that together. He must not have understood and he went straight there. Betty and I waited till they got to the house and then we all made another trip to the PO. From there I asked if anyone would like to take the back roads, it takes about 1 hour longer but when ya have time it is much nicer than driving the freeway. Laughing and talking, I missed a turn before we were out of the county but no biggie cause there was another that only took us about 10 miles out of the way. The gals had been good to us and we made it all the way without a tinkle stop. As soon as we arrived, Betty and Sally were off to fix that little problem. Steve and I were stand out side the exchange looking at some of the goodies that were on sale when I hear this hollering and laughing coming from the ladies bathroom. Knowing those two and they way they were always goofin off I figured one musta fell in or something. ANYWAY, I look up and who do I see???? Dee, one of our dearest friends (like a sister to Betty) from Panama that we had not seen since 97 or 98. Betty said they stood there for a few seconds just looking at each other not believing what they each were seeing then the holler of glee. The next coincidence...It was Dee's first day on the job. A happy and tearful reunion, swapping of numbers and addresses and plans to get together as soon as Betty and I return from our Thanksgiving in NC.   To me it is amazing what all had to happen just go get them two in the exact same place at the same time.

    Next we were doing our shopping. Betty found something that she wanted but the only one left was on display. We got some help from this tiny little Filipina. She told Betty that there was no box with the item on display but she would rap the displayed item for her. While Betty and I were standing there watching rap the item I asked where she was from? Her answer, Zambales Province. I told her that we were married at San Miguel in that province. She then said that she lived in San Antonia which is right out side the gate at San Miguel and that her father taught karate. This is amazing; I took a few lessons along with some other friends from her dad. We have some pictures of her dad and the group and Betty has a picture standing with her mother. We got to get them out and have them ready for our next trip up there.

   All of you know me. I love stuff like this and yesterday was wonnnnnnnderful.. The trip home was blissfully surreal remembering old times and talking with our good friends, Sally and Steve.