Less than 6 degrees of Separation or It's a Small World!

Who knew that St. George, Utah area would be such a gathering place! Here's what happened:
Friends from our church in Washington started wintering here a few years ago. We saw them last year and they said, "You need to come to the Hee Haw next year." So they got us tickets and we went. It was crowded to overflowing. We sat next to our friends and two strangers sat near us. During the intermission a lady came to talk to the strangers. Her voice was very familiar and so I asked her if she had lived in Yakima, Washington. She said she had. I asked her if her if her name was Margaret and she said it was. She didn't recognize me, which considering she hadn't seen me in nearly 29 years isn't that unusual. That plus my hair color has gone from blonde to brown to blonde to silver would have also made identification a bit more difficult. Plus I no longer weigh 120 pounds. She looked nearly the same, but of course older. We determined that we'd see each other before I left to head back north.

Margaret's life has been busy the past 29 years. She was able to fill in some missing pieces of people that I knew but hadn't stayed in touch with. It also turns out that she knew my mom, which I hadn't realized. Margaret's husband died in November so she's missing him terribly, but has stayed active and busy with her two children and their families that live in the area.

So time passes...Margaret and I tried to schedule something, but the timing wasn't right. Finally about two weeks ago the stars were in alignment and I made an appointment to go see her. I arrived at her home and she showed me around. We were also killing some time as Margaret's daughter LeeAnn, that I remember as a teenager, was going to stop by. As we talked about what her future plans were she indicated that she felt she needed to go see her aunt as the aunt is very aged and in poor health. She didn't want to make the trip up north by herself necessarily, but felt she could go. She indicated that her niece by marriage, Dorinda was going to caravan with her. The wheels started turning in my head and I said "Dorinda P.?" and Margaret said that was her name before she married and then it hit me...That was the same Dorinda I had worked with 31 years ago at Longview Fibre in Yakima. Margaret indicated that Dorinda was in town visiting her mom and said I'm going to call her and see if she can come over. She did and Dorinda did.

I didn't work at Longview Fibre very long, but remember Dorinda well. I was a hazy memory for her, but after speaking a while she was able to dredge up a remembrance of me. I always remember that she thought my husband was cute. She had made a comment when she saw him in the parking lot not realizing that he was my husband. It was a compliment to his physique and well, a girl/wife doesn't forget those things even after 31 years.

But wait, there's more!
As Dorinda and I were talking it turns out the she's married and living in Vancouver, WA. When she told me her married name I said, "Oh, a friend of mine married a guy from Vancouver with that last name. So now it's time to start singing, "It's a Small World After All" as that man is Dorinda's stepson.

We had a great reunion! They took pictures and I took pictures and we determined to meet again for lunch before they headed up north and Michael and I headed home. Margaret called (or was it Dorinda?) and we arranged to meet at Dorinda's mom's home. Margaret was going to be there and wanted help tying a quilt. I helped her do that (as did Dorinda). I also met Dorinda's daughter (I only remembered her as a little girl) We decided to go to Oliver Garden for lunch. LeeAnn and one of her children met us there as did Dorinda's sister and some assorted nieces, and also another friend of the family. Dorinda rode with me to the restaurant. It was great to reconnect with her. There were about 16 of us in all. We had a great time chatting.
We've exchanged e-mail and other contact information so if I'm ever in the area Dorinda and I can see each other.

So it is a small world after all!

NS