We were members of Arcadia Friends Church at the time (Arcadia was a neighboring city to Pasadena). I did an internship there, preparing for pastoral ministry. So that was the church where we had Jennifer’s baby dedication. I don’t remember the date, but it wasn’t too long after she was born.
My parents and grandparents traveled from Whittier to Arcadia to be present at the dedication. Jennifer was my parents’ first grandchild and my grandparents’ first great-grandchild. After the service, we all went to a big park on Santa Anita Blvd. in Arcadia for a picnic lunch.
I took this photo at the picnic – I was pleased to be able to catch my dad’s pleasure in his granddaughter.
I just want to add the disclaimer here that I was not informed how cool it would have been to have a bicentennial birthday. Given proper notice I’m certain I would have been on time!
I am sure I’ve seen both these pictures a hundred times growing up. Seeing them now through the eyes of an adult with some.life experience they are especially touching. Seeing Grandaddy’s face filled with joy pulls at the heart strings. I well remember always feeling so loved and cherished by him, by all my grandparents and great grandparents too. I feel very blessed to have had the relationship with all of them that I did. Thanks Dad.