When I initially arrived back in Seattle in mid-December I was unimpressed by the changes I saw. There is a new ferris wheel on Alaskan Way, but the city seems otherwise to have been like an athlete with enormous potential who is simply running in place. The lives of my friends have been far more dynamic. Since I left the States in April, my friend Kaley has moved his family from Seattle to his home town, acquired a restaurant, begun the remodeling of some adjacent motel rooms, and is working as the bar manager full time. There has been one other change to his family.
At 2 o’clock yesterday it occurred to me that I was going to be free until the following evening at 7:30. I had been told that Raymond was a two-hour drive from Seattle, so I found a map with my phone on Google and started to drive. Sometimes I am thankful to be single and without children simply for the latitude it grants me to thrive. I have been looking for a window of time to go and seek out my friend in his entirely new context.
Highway 101 leads right to Raymond. The town is small, and I was able to identify the Top Notch Tavern because the truck I sold Kaley before I went overseas was parked out front. I was good to see Sarah again, that was my pet name for the 1990 Ford F-150. As I walked through the front door, Kaley pointed at me from behind the bar and said “I know that guy. I know that guy!” It has been Kaley’s dream to move his family back to Raymond in time for his children to attend grade school there. It was so very refreshing to see a friend of mine on the road to fulfilling his life vision.
Kaley offered me his guest room, as I knew he would, and his wife Sammy was delighted to have me in their home. Kaley is the hardest working man I have ever known. I remember one of our earliest conversations this way. Me: “So what is the most you’ve ever worked in a day?” Kaley: “Like, as, within a 24 hour time period?” Me: “Yes.” Kaley: “24 hours.” He is a man who has now undertaken the role of a community leader. Raymond, Washington is fortunate to have him back.
albaniacalling 