Do You Know the Way to San Jose?

California, here I come!

Tomorrow morning, I’ll be boarding a plane to San Jose to speak at a very exciting event. The conference, “Living the Gospel Joyfully!” is actually in Santa Clara, but I’m just tickled to be flying in via San Jose.

When I was nine years old, Dionne Warwick’s hit song, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” written by Burt Bacharach and Hal Davis, was one of my favorites. (My toes still start a-tapping every time it pops into my head!)

I spent several years of my childhood in Monterey and San Diego during the 1960s because my dad was a Navy pilot stationed at the bases there. Southern California was idyllic for us kids: bicycles, beaches, dessert panoramas, earthquakes, and hippies made life colorful and exciting.

In those days, James Bond was a big deal, so we spied on everyone! We could roam the surrounding area unsupervised, living in nature and our imaginations. Most moms stayed home, so the neighborhood watches were organic and effective.

My dad was away in Vietnam for much of it, but my mom never let on how much she suffered in his absence. She just let us be kids, let us enjoy the sun on our faces.

So, with my beautiful parents in my heart, I’ll be flying out of JFK and heading west, first thing tomorrow morning.

Please pray that this conference will be an empowering, encouraging blessing to everyone involved, and that the graces God provides will ripple out into parishes and dioceses all over the country.

And now, for your listening enjoyment, here is Dionne Warwick, singing, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5iWAJV9G2w