blackbelt oma: 01.13

1.03.2013

Youth

I don't like to think of myself as nostalgic. I think of the New Year as having only slightly more significance than its being 1 minute after midnight of any given December 31st. A human created, artificial constructe. Why not Summer Solstice or Winter Solstice as the New Year?

But here it is. This construct. We're all wishing each other a good new year. Recalling the past year. And I can't help but think back, not just to the previous year, but way back. I receive New Year's wishes from not just new, but old, way old. Friends from my youth...

So this song isn't great poetry, but maybe because it isn't, because of its simplicity...its naivete, it reminds me of my youth. Every time I hear it, a soft enveloping pain gathers in my chest, like a misty cloud of regrets.

ABBA or Colin Firth, take your pick.

I can still recall
Our last summer
I still see it all
Walks along the Seine
Laughing in the rain

Our last summer
Memories that remain

We made our way along the river
And we sat down in the grass by the Eiffel tower
I was so happy we had met
It was the age of no regret
Oh, yes

Those crazy years
That was the time of the flower-power

But underneath
We had a fear of flying
Of growing old
A fear of slowly dying
We took our chance
Like we were dancing our last dance

I can still recall
Our last summer
I still see it all
In the tourist jam
Round the Notre Dame
Our last summer
Walking hand in hand

Paris restaurants
Our last summer
Morning croissants
Living for the day
Worries far away
Our last summer

We could laugh and play

And now you're working in a bank
A family man, a football fan
And your name is Harry
How dull it seems
Are the hero of my dreams ?

Walks along the Seine
Laughing in the rain
Our last summer
Memories that remain

I can still recall
Our last summer
I still see it all
Walks along the Seine
Laughing in the rain
Our last summer
Memories that remain

We made our way along the river
And we sat down in the grass by the Eiffel tower
I was so happy we had met
It was the age of no regret
Oh, yes

Those crazy years
That was the time of the flower-power
But underneath
We had a fear of flying
Of growing old
A fear of slowly dying

We took our chance
Like we were dancing our last dance

I can still recall
Our last summer
I still see it all
In the tourist jam
Round the Notre Dame
Our last summer
Walking hand in hand

Paris restaurants
Our last summer

Morning croissants
Living for the day
Worries far away
Our last summer
We could laugh and play

And now you're working in a bank
A family man, a football fan
And your name is Harry
How dull it seems
Are the hero of my dreams ?

Walks along the Seine
Laughing in the rain
Our last summer
Memories that remain

Happy New Year. Artificial construct and all.

1.01.2013

2012 Photo Review

Even photos can't adequately describe how full and blessed our life has been...is. And it would take more space than I have, and more patience than you have, to tell you all that we've lived this year. It has had it's struggles, of course. I'm not one for reviewing things by the year, per se, but I can look back and see how God has made hard things, even bad things, Good for us. On this earth, we should not be asking "why is there suffering?" but rather, "why is there so much beauty, joy, hope, love?" I can only say that it is my faith in a God that causes Ultimate Good for His kingdom, which allows me to believe that only a loving God can overcome all the selfishness, violence & hatred that reeks all of our hearts.

I have had many thoughts swirling in my head, but almost too much to put into readable bits on this blog. I don't make New Years' resolutions, nor resolutions at all. But I do hope that I can keep working on my writing and share again, some of my thoughts with you.

So, here's our 2012 in photos. It's a small way to share my life with you.

JANUARY

The boy is showing a musical inclination and starts teaching himself on his 3/4 size Yamaha, not just "air guitar" on a toy, like when he was little.

The boy loves snow. At the first forecast, he's ready and waiting. Even if it's 7 in the morning

FEBRUARY

Not sure how this happened, but it was my birthday, but he got a new bike!

More treasured time with our host student from Korea, who counts oboe as one of her many talents. Here, at District Orchestra. In the 4 years, she's become our daughter and Boo's big sister.

MARCH

... the returning hope of Spring

Chess club continues into Spring, and he ranks 2nd.

APRIL

Grandma comes to visit!

April flowers...

MAY

Science Fair project on Penguins! Can you guess which is the real penguin?

...and an epic milestone college reunion!

And we even went on a date!

JUNE

Showing his Hopper-ish work (top.) And the end (for now) of his 5-years at this Christian school.

...and the boy turns 10:

JULY

A month of camps!

Bible Camp with friends:

Hideaway Day Camp - the awesomest outdoor day camp around!

Environment Camp!

And a great story about his counselors, C&M:

C&M's grandparents were good friends with J's grandparents while at Penn State and were in the same field. Then C&M's dad, and J's dad meet at a conference in their common field, and go on to become great friends. C&M have known J since he was a baby, just arrived from Korea. So in 2012, C&M were J's counselors! They don't seem destined to enter the same field - C&M being interested in politics and J interested in architecture. But maybe J could design them a house?

In between, an unusual but welcomed visit from Uncle Paul & fam from Lanna, Jo-jah!

Our beautiful gardens courtesy of HH, and Boo!

AUGUST

Many hours at the pool! This year, with the encouragement of a friend, he tested to be allowed in the deep end, which meant hours and hours jumping off the diving board!