First Son's Birthday

Happy Birthday, Brendan! I didn't know that Rob and I could make a human being until you were born. Rob used to say "the pleasure was all mine." The joy you felt holding your newborn son in your arms was ours when we held you. You grew. You tested us. (As Seb will do for you.) When you were a teenager, you said, "I don't appreciate your feeble attempts to make me happy." ( A sign that you were developing your father's sense of humour.) You grew older. You were unique. You were creative. Oh so smart and yet so self-contained. And then you met wild and wonderful Jane. To put it mildly, you both flourished and continue to flourish under each other's care. As you now know, a parent learns from a child as much as the child learns from the parent. Thank you, my beautiful son. You make me proud!

More "Glimpses of Beauty"

I have just reread a script by Jonas Mekas about "brief glimpses of beauty" that has saved me from out and utter despair this past year and a half. I had dinner with friends on a level of grass beyond their house last night. The air was warm, the mood was light, the wine and food more than satisfactory. "To have a glass of wine with friends, old friends and new friends, is beauty... we all look for something more important... But, as life goes on... we realise that one day follows another, and things that we felt were so important yesterday we feel we have forgotten them already today." In my mind, Mekas point is that some of the most beautiful times are those spent with family and friends. (I am posting some of my Facebook entries as some of my friends are not on social media.)

Scattering Susan's Ashes

Susan called cremation "the burning". She wanted the scattering of her ashes to happen after a picnic on an elevated plain near her village. She wanted the occasion to be joyful. Is that asking too much? she asked. No Susan, I think you would have loved the event which took place two nights ago. Your granddaughter performed a flower ballet. Your grand-niece recited poetry. A university friend spoke of feminism and friendship two subjects close to your heart. Another grandson mimiced a wild animal, while anotther did a magic trick. Your eldest grandson played the guitar accompanied by your granddaughter on the oboe. Your new daughter sang. You would have had the biggest smile on your face. I spoke of your love of the body and sex. (You, my darling Susan opened my world and gave me permission to say what I hadn't dared.) After the expressions of love and devotion, David had each member of the family, beginning with himself, followed by the eldest son all the wy down to the youngest grandchild, scatter Susan's ashes. It was beyond beautiful.