Humble Pride

Humble pride

Sunday, a friend of Parker's described how he perceived I should feel about Parker's labour as a missionary; Humble Pride - a very apt description. Proud of what he did, how he did it, and who he became; and intensely humble and gratefully that he had the opportunity, that he took advantage of it, that he  had presidents, leaders, missionaries, members, and non who loved him, worked with him and watched over him. And mindful of a god in heaven who was in the details.

Each of the boys served well and honorably. Their missions had much in common and all grew spectacularly. All were as unique and differed as Spain, Greece, Chicago and Paraguay do from each other . We have been fortunate to have met there ending Mission Presidents. There are few things as humbling  as learning /observing the power of your son(s). There are few things that make you more grateful than witnessing the love of adults for your child and knowing the energy and effort they willingly sacrificed and put into forming, shaping, and supporting your child's growth. There is  a strong emotion when you observe others looking at your son in adoration and witness that to them what your missionary had done was of vital importance.

I am indeed humbly proud of all my children. I am extremely grateful for the transformational power of a mission. 

A late quartet

Yaron Zilberman’s recent film “A Late Quartet” — about multiple crises among members of an esteemed Manhattan-based string quartet as it embarks on its 25th-anniversary season — makes this rarefied subject central to the drama. At least that’s true until the movie, which boasts a powerhouse cast, takes a melodramatic turn toward simmering resentments and an inappropriate affair.

So goes the nytimes review. The movie was thrust upon me in a flight from panama to Paraguay . I say thrust given sitting in coach with the monitor stuck in my head space .  What was more disturbing the dysfunctional relationships themselves or the way Parkinson's arrival on the scene disrupts and is the starting point of a cascade of problems?

Yes the movie was indeed too close. It did cause me to reflect on the necessity to "play big" as the Parkinson's constrains you to go small - in voice, stature and demeanor. 

The movie was interesting in its dissection of professional musicians and their music and their lives; but a little to soap opera -sequence in its story. The actors skilled and convincing.

Instagram and blogs

I ran out of free space to upload images on my blog , yet I developed the hair of photographing many events as a visual journal. I kept taking pictures but stopped posting. Then instantagram became popular. Many in the family and a few key friends insta - so I succumbed to that abbreviated form of communicating.

I don't find it open to philosophy, and post on books don't quite appeal, and it's not as satisfying as the blog writing. Which is interesting given my propensity to short, haiku like blog posts. Almost as many words in instagram but..

So new resolution, trying to keep up with both by doing both in moderation. We'll give it a whirl

Mr Colonial

Evan's ward in Washington DC does a beauty pageant of sorts - it is the Mr Colonial contest. The contestants sing, dance, demonstrate ant and have a beauty pageant of sorts. Evan entered and  had a tremendous experience. Thanks to those who helped him succeed and show his talents'

opening dance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXW5IgrA_So - Evan shows up at 2:20.

Interview Vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrlN8hedu0k - Evan is at beginning for 15 sec, then my roommate has a good story about him at 1:28, then he is dancing starting at 1:49-1:55

Casual wear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeJEDbKPczY - Evan is at 6:50

 haven't found footage of the kung fu yet but it is theere