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We went out on Thursday to have dinner and raise some dollars for Action Aides ‘Dining out for Life’ at the Caribou Café on 1126 Walnut Street.

Terry, John, Barbara and I were waited on by Kateri. Kateri was named by her parents after Saint Kateri Tekakwitha a member of the Turtle Clan of the Iroquios tribe. The saint survived a plague that took the rest of her family.

Kateri is a light haired, pleasant looking person, who is a regular waitperson at Caribou. On this night we are out, because we hope to help those inflicted with the modern plague. She is too young to be aware of the signifigance her name brings to the evening.

We talk about our friends upcoming trips to Yellowstone and Paris.

We are excited for them and their grandchildren.

They have to leave early because they are taking ballroom dancing classes.

Barbara and I walk up Walnut street, Hibbards looks to be out of business and closed forever. Another bookstore gone. We go into Borders, hoping to find some books on Yellowstone, Native Americans, but none are to be found. We buy a copy of ‘Rick Steves, Paris’ for our friends’ trip.

Barbara and I discuss wheather we should take a walk over to Barnes and Noble or bag the idea and just go to the Ritz. I said ,’we can find what we want online’, why bother with Barnes and Noble ?

A few minutes later we are sitting in the lobby of the Ritz.

Richard comes over to wish us hello and a pleasant evening. Richard is originally from Java, Indonesia. He is one of the best waiters at the Ritz. Tonight, Mr. Fousseny is our wait person and gives us excellent friendly service. He is from Mali Africa.

On my way back from the facilities I run into Christopher, Stephen, and Thomas. They are staying at the Ritz with their family and visiting Philadelphia. Thomas has a wonderful blue raincoat he shows me and an interesting book about animals. They have been to Independence Hall and the Constitution Center. The boys were impressed with the liberty bell. Christopher and Stephen, as well as mom and dad are from Short Hills N.J., newly here from Californina and they are loving their new East coast life.

Everyone in their family raved about their dinner at Fogo de Chao and said we should go as soon as possible.

Back at the big soft seats, Barbara and I are almost ready to call it a night, but this very friendly couple asked to sit with us. Don and Valentine were also from California but were here more on business than pleasure. The next day they were on their way to New York City.

I learned a long time ago, after twenty minutes no one is a stranger. Both Don and Valentine were such that we were like old friends quickly. There was a comfort and warmth that usually does not exist, after many weeks, months and sometimes years, if ever.

Do not know if you have ever had this kind of experience but throughout my life there have been times, very few times, when I have met people, and have had this deep feeling that we were souls that had met before, perhaps in a past life, perhaps hanging around heaven. I don’t know?

Don and Valentine were here to try and raise money and awareness for the Canary Foundation. The annual Crystal Ball was held in the Crysatal Tea Room of the Wanamaker Building. Attending were Gov. Ed Rendell, Don Listwin, Founder, Canary Foundation and many folks from both the University of Pennsylvania and Fox Chase Cancer Center, along with well known political names and personalities.
The goal was to raise one million dollars for which the Canary foundation will match. The money to be used in research for early detection of ovarian cancer. I encourage you to research this foundation and another which Valentine is involved, Room to read.