Looking For BURMA Rhodes

So where was I? Oh. Yes. Waiting. Hoping to hear from Trish or Burma Gates. The next morning was Saturday and I had a boat load of errands to run. My kids were driving down to LA to visit Disneyland and I needed to get ready. But I was being lazy and just laying in bed with this fantasy running through my head. I pictured myself in the car driving to the grocery store and my mythical phone rang. Fortunately I was wearing an ear bud so I answered the phone. It was Trish. I asked if she could wait while I pulled over so I could talk to her. Remember. All made up. Not real. Just wishful thinking. And that is when my real actual phone rang. I saw a number I didn't recognize. I answered and it was Trish. Talk about manifestation!!!!!! All thoughts of errands were pushed aside and we talked for two hours. Trish was so excited to be contacted and it opened a flood gate of wonderful memories of her years of friendship with Burma. I'll share some of those memories in my next post.

When I came home from my coffee date with Toby I immediately got on my computer and started looking for Patricia Gates in Aspen Colorado. Pretty common name so there were tons of them but none that seemed to be my Patricia Gates. Fortunately Toby remembered that Trish had 5 children and remembered their names so I could dig a little deeper. I was able to find a daughter who had been the recipient of a Go Fund Me in the past and I was able to email the person who set it up. But I am soooooo not patient and had no idea if I had hit pay dirt or not. The second name I seached was Burma. Yes, Trish had named a daughter after her good friend so I searched for Burma Gates. Not a lot of those, I guarantee. And I found one living in New Mexico. Of course, every phone number Burma ever had was listed so I got ready to make a lot of calls. Fortunately the first number I called went to voice mail and I was able to leave a message. I really didn't want to go into great detail but DID want to be intriguing enough to get a return call. So I left a pithy open ended message about looking for Trish, having a interesting story to tell and that I hoped to hear back from someone. Then I waited. That is the part I am the absolute worst at.

Seems like it has been a while since I have posted and there has been a fun event. I am no closer to Baby #1 but a new person has been added to the family circle. A few weeks ago Toby and I got together for a coffee. I hadn't seen her for a while so there was lots to catch up on. Midway through the visit Toby stops....Wait.......did I tell you about Patricia Gates???? Nope she hadn't. It seems that Patricia (Trish) and Burma were great friends who hitch hiked around the country together. Toby said that she had told Mary about Trish and Mary (Baby #2) would love to talk to Trish. Trish would surely have some great stories to share. I am thinking that if Trish and Burma were that close Trish may even have details about Baby #1. Maybe. And there is definitely more to the story. Back SOON!!!

Such a cutie.

The Rhodes family. Dad looking square into the camera. Mom and Toby doing the traditional pose and Burma with a smile that borders on laughter. She is tickled about something for sure.

The picture of Burma on a pony is such a classic from this era. Men would lead a pony around the neighborhood and take these pictures for a fee. Dollars to donuts a majority of kids from Burma's generation have similar pictures. I love them. It is such a throw back.

Look what I got!! Is Burma not absolutely precious???? More to come. Stay tuned.

So I finally got to spend time with Mary and Toby together at last. It was quite a treat. Their relationship has seemingly been as effortless as I thought it would be. They are both warm and friendly and open. Just lovely women.

Tonight is going to be a very special night. I have been invited to have dinner with Mary, Toby and Mary's extended adopted family that includes a sister, Liz, as well as Liz's children. Families are built in so many different ways that are outside the norm. It is going to be so special to get to be a part of the celebration of this particular family that has come together in such random ways. But nothing can diminish the bonds of family no matter how they ar connected whether by blood or happenstance. I am so looking forward to it. ❤️