Amy, Jill, Eric and I were driving back toward San Jose when Eric pulled the car into a parking lot facing the ocean.

Eric knew that we would love to watch the sun set over the ocean.

While we we admiring the setting, Eric got up without a word and walked over to a pile of sticks. At least that’s what I saw. Jill saw a wood pile that had been gathered and positioned for the evening fire. Eric saw something else.

My wife and I traveled to California recently to see our friends Jill & Eric Lacher.

They drove the forty-five minutes from San Jose to Oakland to sit in rush hour traffic to pick us from the airport. Rather than be frustrated and relieved to see us, their smiles beamed from inside their car.

Hugs abounded and smiles continued as we entered the car heading to San Jose.

We exchanged small talk and stories.
We listened and laughed.