Chance meeting at the library to zoo date!

So I was racing home from Jake's school when I suddenly remembered the library e-mail saying Jake's book was in. We hung a quick left and hurried in to get the book about 10 minutes before closing. As I walked in, I glanced up at a family just leaving. "As I live and breathe it's Annika Criddle!" She looked up, "Nesha? My goodness is that Jake?!" We had attended church together several years (4?) ago when her husband was doing a law clerkship for the Federal DA in San Diego. They stayed about a year, and then moved to NYC. She was back in town for a few days accompanying her husband at a law conference.

I didn't know her that well while she was here, we only really started chatting right before she moved away, but our conversations had a profound effect on me. I don't know if I've ever met a woman more powerful in her motherhood, and I don't say that lightly. I aspire to that.

Anyway, I invited myself and Porter along on her zoo trip, and we happily met up the next day. We have a membership there, but I really don't get there often enough, so it was a nice opportunity to renew our friendship, and see a place I love.

This is Isaac Criddle, he and Jake were in nursery and Sunbeams together. I didn't bring Jake because we was in school. I really should have just taken him out early that day, because we had a great day at the zoo.

My ham child Porter posed for some great pictures. He loves being able to freely climb on things and not get in trouble, like he does at home. Annika commented that she's been to a lot of amazing zoos, but San Diego is truly the best zoo in the US. The animals and their enclosures are amazing, but I think people don't really appreciate the horticulture of the place.

I'm kicking myself because I didn't bring my telephoto lens with me. While we were walking down (Tiger Trail?) Porter had run up ahead. The golden leaf tree visible at the top left corner of the picture was raining down golden leaves, and Porter was dancing in them. It was so beautiful it was almost surreal.

This whole experience made me wish I had more time to keep in touch with old friends. I wish I was a better friend to the ones I have locally. Shoot, I feel a resolution coming on!!!!