This trip started with an innocent invitation to a ride home from the registration activities at the University of California in Berkeley, California, in August of 1945. When we saw a familiar face among the 2,000 would be freshman—we were in the same large class, but different streams at Oakland High School—we struck up conversation and found we were signing up for the same classes in the College of Chemistry. Bill had just finished rebuilding, repainting (royal blue with yellow wheels and a yellow racing stripe), and reupholstering a 1928 Model A Ford and was eager to show off his “new” car, affectionally named, Lord Peter.
Three years later Jean’s father took her aside one evening and asked her, “Is Bill serious?” We decided I was serious, so having no money, I sold my only asset, Lord Peter. On Valentines Day 1948 I proposed marriage at Joaquin Miller overlook in the Oakland hills, Jean accepted, and then I presented her with “Lady Peter” (a metamorphosis from Lord Peter).
We married later that year at St. Jarlath Catholic Church, Jean’s home parish. Our honeymoon was a two week camping trip (we could now zip our two down sleeping bags together to make one!) We returned to live in a small “bed-sitter” apartment in Berkeley at $35/month—I had a 10-speed bicycle to get to my playground job in Oakland and Jean walked to her classes and job. We completed our college work two years later: Bill in Physics and Jean in Botany plus secondary school teachers credentials.
September 5, 1948Uncle Sam changed his mind and decided that I was no longer 4F, but suitable fodder for the Korean War, I was sent to Dugway Proving Grounds in the middle of Utah’s salt desert as Scientific Personnel. After reevaluating our life, we sold our land in the Oakland Hills where we had planned to build a house and decided we wanted to get out of teaching.
As it turned out, God tricked us into spending another 20 years of teaching in Africa.
One evening after dinner the Fathers at our mission offered us gifts and congratulations on our wedding anniversary. “But,” we replied, “it’s only March 5th, our anniversary is still 6 months away.” “That’s just it, in Holland we celebrate eighths of century,” said the Dutch Priest, “You have been married exactly twelve and one half years—one eighth of a century!”.
Eight Priests and Bishop John Jobidonhelp us celebrate our 25 Wedding Anniversary
on September 5, 1972 at Marymount Girls Secondary,
our mission school in Mzuzu, Malawi
When we returned home from Africa in 1978, we settled in Mountain View and joined St. Joseph Parish
At our 50th Wedding Anniversary, we were blessed by having three of our parents present. Relatives and friends helped us celebrate Mass with the renewal of our marriage vows, followed by a hugh gala reception at our mobile home park hall.
Con-celebrating the Mass were Bishop Mark Hurley,who was God’s instrument to get us to the Missions,
Pastor Fr. Oscar Tabujara,
Fr. Art Harrison, and Fr. Bob Moran
On Thursday, September 4, 2008, there were a lot of rustling sounds out in our back yard, which was attributed to wind in the trees. But when we woke on a bright, clear September 5th, we were amazed to find 60 Chrysanthemums arranged artfully in the shape of a heart in our back yard. Bill claims we have very frisky raccoons…
Midnight visitors?
60 Mums for Jean!
It’s Party Time at Liz’
The three brothers: Bob, 5 years youngerand John, 7 years younger
The remaining partyers as the sun sank in the Western Sea.
(Some escaped before we could get them in the picture.)
You will notice no unsmiling faces in this group shot, thanks to Adobe Photoshop’s “Group Merge” tool. You take several shots of the group and replace any unsmiling faces from one of the other shots.
We did not expect any gifts, but one that will be remembered for years (for all the effort and appropriateness): Liz & Brian and John & Sandy put together a book with all of our 2007 blogs!
We did not expect any gifts, but one that will be remembered for years (for all the effort and appropriateness): Liz & Brian and John & Sandy put together a book with all of our 2007 blogs!
We entered the Church to Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. The first reading was from Tobit, Allow us to live together to a happy old age. The responsorial psalm, no. 33, The Earth is full of beauty, the goodness of a loving God, followed by the second reading from St. Paul, I Corinthians, If I do not have love, I gain nothing. Father’s Gospel reading was from Mark, They are no longer two, but one flesh.
In our renewal of our marriage vows, we repeated the promises we made 60 years ago and added an additional prayer: “In our old age may we love one another as deeply and cherish each other as much as we do now…”
To the accompaniment of our 100 year old pipe organ played by organist Pat Eldred, our angels of song, Rosario Javier and Angelyn Regala, sang a heavenly duet of Panis Angelicus. Rosario’s singing of Schubert’s Ave Maria brought tears to our eyes. And finally Rosario sang a special version of The Blessing of St. Francis. We recessed to the hymn Let Heaven Rejoice.
The Mass program
showing one of the stain glass windows
from our church
We renew our promises
Bill “steals” a kiss
We are abundantly blessed
Rosario and Angelyntreated us to some beautiful singing
Joyful Jean and Bill
Pope Benedict XVI bestows his Apostolic Blessing
Mayor Nick and Becky Galliotooffer their congratulations
After Mass several friends put together light refreshments for everybody.
We’re getting pretty goodat this cake cutting ceremony
Food frenzy!John’s wife, Sandy,
is wearing the flowered, black top
The crew: George Escober, ushering,Rudy Joves, photography,
Severa Escober with help from Liz Joves, hospitality
Bill
JeanOnly a few of these photographs have been taken by Jean or me. A total of six different photographers contributed. Special thanks go to Rudy Joves and Richard Rains (a friend from Los Angeles) for their photos.
After the parties were over, we prepared for our last European fling. We hope these overseas blogs will not be long in coming.
After the parties were over, we prepared for our last European fling. We hope these overseas blogs will not be long in coming.
