“The Prayer”

 Happy Saturday Morning – Busy, busy this week. A graduation and a funeral, plus playing host to our senior daughter who insisted on sleeping in my little office (couch life just won’t do any more). The sleep on a fold out 3”+ pad style affair mandated that a lot of ‘rooting-around’ in the office take place. Best have an extra mug of coffee to absorb all of this.

The funeral required some serious shuffling around my clothes closet to try and assemble an ‘assemble’ of stuff which didn’t have and array of company logos, 5K event sponsors, or some wild Caribbean flower theme. Finally, I found slacks from way before the skinny pants look took hold (Marcia says that what I had looks like a long skirt). My black suit jacket had a ticket stub in the side pocket which made me think I wore it last on February 28, 2004.

So, instead of moping on all this, it made me grateful to be retired and didn’t have to wear the stuff much anymore; once every 22 years is enough. By the way, does anyone have any really wide, really short, tie?

Corner News – Yup, every day is still a quest into the unknown here on the corner of Chaos and Mayhem. Thursday morning Marcia was the first to spot a 30’ tree branch laying on sidewalk and into the street.

I had a vision of me with my little pruning saw – the chain saw being in Canada.

About an hour later a city truck pulling a chipper drove by, backed up and two workers began the branch removal. I went out to thank them for their quick response. Guy smiled and told me that no one had called. They were on their way to an assigned job when they spotted our branch. He said that even though the tree was not on city property, the branch stuck out enough hook it to the chipper. In under 10 minutes they were underway. Kudos to these two workers!

Then, last evening shortly after dinner the ‘team’ rolled in next door; 4 fire wagons, a chief’s car, ambulance on standby as was the ladder wagon. Whatever was going on next door cleared up in less than an hour. And this is how we introduced Kirstin to the corner of Chaos and Mayhem.

 Carolyn – Cathy’s mom passed away recently. This past week was her Celebration of Life, interment ceremony, and social gathering. Even after her passing Carolyn let it be known that she was still in charge. Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum is an extensive complex. Her service and gathering were held in adjoining spaces. Normally Spring Grove, at these events, manages providing the foods, etc.

However, Carolyn ever still in charge, had insisted that foods be catered by her favorite restaurant, the Oriental Wok at The Regency, a high-rise in our Hyde Park neighborhood. Our delightful plates were from, you guessed it, Oriental Wok.

Even her last goodbye made sure that all was in order:

“Did you close the garage door?”

Children’s Book Readings – Early on this week brother Art and I were talking. Don’t know what brought it on, but he said; “do you remember that as a child you were being read to?” I didn’t. Times were different in many ways.

However I do remember reading to our grand kids and every week while in town taking the ‘kiddos’ to the local library for “book hour” where a big part was the reading of a kid’s book.

Now as an adult and with adult eyes it’s fun to see that in the great children’s literature various levels of meaning are beautifully embedded.

During Carolyn’s final hours Cathy spent time with her and what better way than to read a child’s book, one with a wonderful meaning. Her choice to read to her mom? The “Grasshopper on the Road,” by award winning author Arnold Lobel.

The story has the grasshopper on a whimsical journey with a cheerful Grasshopper who discovers a beautiful path and encounters a world of very busy characters. Grasshopper doesn’t pine for their ‘exciting’ lives, he “remains content, enjoying each step of his journey without the need to rush. This charming tale celebrates the joy of simplicity and the beauty of embracing one’s own unique path.” (from Bookey)

Cathy closed the story she was reading to her mom with the piece about the worm living in an apple. In the story the apple fell and broke into pieces. Growing up, whenever something would go amiss the family refrain would be; “too bad worm”, playing on the worm in the story crawling out of the bad apple.

Now, as death neared and her body began to shut down, Cathy chose to review with her mother that old family favorite. Nearing the end Cathy envisioned her mom, remembering that child’s story, just like the worm crawling out of his broken home saying, “Oh never mind. It was old and it had a big bite in it anyway. This is a fine time for me to find a new house.”

For Carolyn, I believe this time with Cathy was a wonderful way for Cathy to acknowledge her mother’s love, the gift of contentment, wonder, satisfaction, and the beauty in pausing for special moments. Moments she had in her own life and had passed on to her children.

Graduation with hints of Polynesian highlights – Vaioleti did it! Graduation from Clark Montessori High School proved to be quite special. The event was held at the University of Cincinnati’s 5/3 Bank-Arena (Bearcats basketball). Aside from the typical Pomp and Circumstance played by the school’s jazz band the Steel Drum band played a number written by a previous graduate.

The graduating drum members left their seats and joined to play one final time. At the end of the ceremony all 90+ graduates formed a circle for a candle lighting ceremony where, at the end, a large candle was lit as that flame moved over the Junior class, next year’s seniors.

Now came the fun. Under her gown Vai wore her Tongan wardrobe. Tevita had brought a Tapa for her to stand on, and people started placing Lays around her neck; strings of candy, live flowers, and money.

Then many were placed around school friends, even a security officer got layed. It really was a major highlight of the event.

This week’s Interlude – Is a piece that was played at Carolyn’s Celebration of Life. The audio is a minute from the piece played. Play and without looking below, try to name the who sang and what played.

The singer’s name and song title are found below. Complete songs can be found on Spotify and others.

Enjoy!

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Travel, especially air travel, is producing more and more headache for passengers. Rules being adjusted, new ‘can’t do’ rules implemented. The latest is Southwest Airlines which announced; “today Southwest updated our internal policy banning ………………………… ”. What was it that Southwest announced?

1. 1. Be at the gate at least 25 minutes prior to boarding
   2. Refusal to purchase adjacent seat for extremely obese
   3. Over age 65 is seated in an emergency row seat
   4. Purchased food in a separate bag – item must be hand carried
   5. Any companion dog weighing in excess of 32 pounds
   6. For safety reasons, no ‘flip-flop’ footwear
   7. No self-powered accompanying robots

 Last week Bonus Points answer – # 4, 5, 9

Answer this week’s Interlude: The Prayer · Andrea Bocelli · Céline Dion, The Best of Andrea Bocelli – ‘Vivere’