Day 1-6:
After 20 months of virtual visits we were able to hug and hold our precious brother, oldest sibling and my mentor, Iraj, and shower him with love that he has so admirably earned.
The icing on the cake was our stay at the cozy home of Richard’s middle brother and his amazing wife (my 3rd brother and 4th sister) and visit with Richard’s older brother and wife (my 4th brother and 5th sister.)
The cherry on top was our many visits with my ALL HEART & HUMILITY, nephew (Iraj’s son and primary care taker), and visit with his LOVELY&CARING wife, eating a great Persian dinner and watching an uplifting live interview with President Obama.

Day 7:
Driving Iraj from Santa Monica to Carmel, taking the scenic route, stopping in Santa Maria for the BBQ and to buy Pinquito beans (rare to find in other places.)

Day 8:
A joy filled belated 83rd birthday celebration for Iraj with our sister, her husband (our 5th brother), our precious niece and 2 of her 3 girls. Iraj was the happiest that I had seen him, this trip. He was beaming with palpable joy when sweet Sol decided to sit on his lap and share the chocolate chocolate birthday cake with him.

Day 9:

Richard had some business to take care off so we got two cars, he headed out to Salina and I stayed in Santa Cruz. We had lived and raised our children in this area from 1981-1999 and again, after our return from the Baha’i World Center in Haifa, Israel, from 2006-2011 so I had a tremendous desire to visit my old stumping grounds.

My first stop was to one of our favorite restaurants, the Walnut Ave Cafe, for breakfast. I window shopped while walking down the Pacific Ave and found a very special gift for our granddaughter. I took a long meditative walk from Natural Bridges to the lighthouse along West Cliff, taking photos, watching surfers, marveling at the resilience of the Monterey Pines and the majestic waves.The day ended with an unexpected but much welcomed visit with our neighbors, FRIENDS, and Primary Care Physician (that we came back to see from wherever we were from 1981-2015) at Crow’s Nest restaurant (another family favorite.)

Day 10 – Part 1

Richard headed out to the Foothills of Sierra to see his nephew and I headed down to Mountain View, where Richard was born, where I met his precious parents (my American Mom & DAD) and to the house where they lived for about 50 years.

I walked the neighborhood, went to the little Varsity park a few steps from the Martin’s home where the 3 boys and our kids played, took photos, went to the Persian Store, got many boxes of See’s candy for gifts and headed out to Prunedale.

Day 10- Part 2:
Our first home in Corralitos, Santa Cruz county was a “true fixer upper” built by owner . This was in 1981. Richard had gotten a good job in Watsonville, Calif and I was a stay home mom. The house was $75,000 which was at the top end of what we could afford. We stayed there for five years and then build our own home in Prunedade, just a few homes away from my sister and her 3 girls.

Neither place has changed much except for the prices. Our 1500 sq feet, 60 year old home in Corralitos is now $770,000 and our 35 year old – what I think is a beautiful home with the in-laws quarter – is over a million.

My next stop – tomorrow – is Bosch Baha’i school- where our children called their second home and where I served and lived for several years, and the drive on highway 1 to half-moon bay.

Day 11:
So happy that I was able to make it up to Bosch Baha’i School and to see my dearest friend – AKA sister – and her younger daughter. Bosch had survived many fires but the last one destroyed all of the cabins.
I drove down highway 1 thinking about the many fond memories of our times at Bosch. As the sun set over the pacific I stoped for prayers of gratitude for the many gifts our 11 days in California had given us.
Until next time, California! You welcomed me as an 18 year old and continue to bring me joy every time I visit you!!