Living in the present. Visiting the past.
Our La Jolla memorial service/birthday weekend, celebrating the lives of our Aunt Bobbie and Uncle Dave.
Visiting the past through multiple memorial remembrances, capped by a slide show reminding of the various people we’ve been throughout our lives.
The present lived through renewing old relationships and creating new ones.
It made me reconsider my ‘reunion averse’ stance, and I’m now planning to attend my high school debate team’s annual bowling tournament.
But for many of us, the present was put on hold during Covid, when we were denied the pleasure of seeing family and friends.
And apparently, COVID is back.
Not quite like the first – or second – time, which is frustrating the ‘hysterions’, eager to terrify us again.
My Captor and I came through both waves on the lucky side: Neither got it, and since Georgia was the first to return to ‘normal’ conditions – the hysterions labeled it “conducting experiments in human sacrifice” – we were able to ‘move freely about the cabin’.
And it’s how My Captor became My Captor – post below.
We were lucky because our extended family visited, the lone benefit of virtual school: Isolated at home, they felt comfortable visiting the ‘medically fragile’, arriving for major holidays and random visits.
While I was initially offended by that ‘medically fragile’ thing, it comes in handy:
Stopped for speeding – “Sorry Officer, I’m medically fragile”; Asked if I’d like to leave a tip – “Sorry, medically fragile”, I even have the Medically Fragile siren for our car.
Though it didn’t work with the IRS, who rejected my ‘Medically Fragile credit.’
And while I have an Old Man Rant lurking about “Following the Science”, and ‘Experts’ (Shakes fist quite angrily), perhaps covid’s worst part was further blurring the line between social media and human contact.
A face-time call and email are great, but no substitute for in-person.
We realize how lucky we are to have substantially escaped covid -with just one major regret:
Our son and wife in Oakland had a baby girl in October ‘19, and while lucky enough to meet Ella when she was just a month old, due to covid – and life -we hadn’t seen her in 4 years.
Which made seeing her – and her parents, of course – again, the true highlight of our La Jolla visit.
Made sweeter by ‘Cousin Magic’: James and Nora made the trek, immediately – and excitedly – rebonding, and welcoming Ella into ‘Three Cousins Amigo’.
Checking out the sea lions at the beach, visiting the pool, holding hands while touring Legoland…
A vivid reminder of ‘Live for the present!’
And while we missed seeing Ella grow up, we also missed Ella’s parents parenting – a true joy of family: Watching your children become parents.
Amazing how different our children’s parenting styles are – each as unique as them.
But all three styles with commonality: Selflessly focused on their children, providing a loving environment, acting as if their lives were just a lead up to their role as parents.
And reminding the basics of parenting don’t change: Forgive their mistakes, teach them to do better and be good citizens, to be nice to others – and themselves, and love them unconditionally.
Looking back, covid took a lot from us.
But it also taught us a lot.
It taught us to avoid AP Chemistry, never stick our tongue on a light pole in winter, and take nothing for granted.
But above all, the importance of family.
But if we needed another reminder of the importance of family, shame on us.
Why is My Captor My Captor? Originally posted 4/14/20
For 186 more posts like this –each with a ticket to Legoland – go to beersatthenifty.com. Your phone will display every post, and you can waste an hour or two.
Or send me an email to the site, and I’ll add you to my Sunday distribution.
TO ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS POST, PAIR IT WITH THE FOLLOWING SONGS:
World Party was a fine 80s/90s band, that endures today. Led by Karl Wallinger, who left the Waterboys to form what was essentially a one man band. A multi-instrumentalist lefty, he plays a right handed guitar upside down and backwards – which is illegal in Utah.
‘Goodbye Jumbo’ is a fine Sunday morning listen. Thank You World a nice gratitude song.
Thank You World World Party
Colors scents and symphonies
Fall on me like tears
And time around me stretches back
And forth across the years
Was I sent to see your beauty
Just to please my aching heart
Well I want to say good morning
But I don’t know where to start
Thank you world
Ah thank you world
Well I’m lying in the dew
And I’m staring at the stars
Yeah He laid me down this blanket
Now I call this blanket grass
And the sun is my alarm
And the moon she makes me dream
And my food is wild honey pie
And water from the stream, thank you world
Ah thank you world
for giving me my children
Ah thank you world
For keeping me alive
Ah thank you world
Yeahyeah yeah
Are you getting the vibe?
Yeah Yeah Yeah
Are you really alive?
She is everything I need
She is living guaranteed
She’s what I mean when I say
Everything’s alright
She got diamonds she got pearls
She got wisdom
And this girl is all you need
To know that everything’s alright
And I need to know that everything’s alright
Nice!