'Memory Lane'.....

A friend of mine is a new grandmother. Both her oldest daughter and second child, a son, have baby boys now. The mother of her son's baby sends photos and updates to family and friends regarding her son. I am happy to be included on the list and felt a touch of melancholy while composing an e-mail of gratutide to her today. I decided to create a post of our recent exchanges, because I feel they carry feelings that many can relate to. (The pics are of my own kids...I'll remove the names of my friends to protect their privacy to that degree.)

Enjoy your own 'trip'.....


"Hey-new pics-pages 1-3...he's pretty much doing the same thing! gotta run-bath time love to all-J___ T___ & S______"

Lovely pics....thanks for sharing...S___ looks like one really happy baby...he's a lucky lil guy!! And it looks like he's crawling out of that carrier...won't be long before we see pics of S___ walking!!! I can't believe it!! I appreciate being on your list--it's great watching him grow!!

I hope all is well with you three...it appears that things are great...stay happy!

'Auntie_Di'

"Hey Diane-thanks! He's so funny-he's doing this growling thing now! You would think that it would hurt his throat but he still does it all the time! He was trying to crawl out of the car seat when we were watching the football game-first time he's tried to do it that way! Hope everything is going well! We're doing great! See you at Christmas-J___"

N____ told me about the growl...she loves sharing stories about the grandkids. When my nephew, Sam, was a baby/little boy, 'The Lion King' was popular. He used to carry a rubber lion in his hand at all times. It was hollow on the inside and had it's mouth open. Sam found a way to blow air into the lion's mouth and make it sound like a growl. It's funny how universal some things are....I never wanted to put a toy gun into Will's hand when he was little, and his dad's mom thought I was being overly protective...she pointed out that he would pick up a stick in the yard and pretend it was a sword, and yes, even a gun. She was right, and it's true...lots of little boys do that.

While many things in life change, some remain the same. I appreciate that you share your pics and stories with us. It gives me not only the opportunity to keep up with you all, but also an excuse to reflect and remember the moments in the lives of my kids when they were babies/toddlers, etc. I'm happy to hear your stories relating to your time with S______ and to have a reason to revisit, through your experiences, similar times I shared with my kids.

Happy parenting!!! Thanks, again, for sharing with me!!

Diane

A Mighty Heart

Last night I sleepily attempted to watch (meaning I began watching it at a late hour and, naturally, did not stay awake through the entire viewing) the movie 'A Mighty Heart'--the story of the life and death of journalist, Danny Pearl. Today I am proud of the title of my blog--it's a word used by Mariane Pearl throughout the story: dialogue--she states the word often, making it clear that she does not want to lose sight of the significance of dialogue between peoples. Even in the aftermath of the tragedy of losing her husband in a most horrific way, she remains steadfast in her belief that truthful exchanges and reporting can mend the wounds and hearts and souls of mankind and bring us all together as one human race.

That is what this story is about--truth, integrity, family, honor, respect for all people regardless of their faith, heritage, beliefs (perhaps peaceful coexistence)--at the heart of every human being is the strong belief in something that shapes who they become (whether this belief is based on religion, dysfunction, anything that influences a human). Having a certain level of 'respect' for this fact is key. To comprehend this is to begin to understand ourselves and one another on some basic, intrinsic level. The point is to find a way to truly connect with others, regardless of who they are and what has influenced them, rather than to dismiss or alienate one another.

Journalists (well, effective journalists) are 'rare animals' whose work requires them to stay mentally, emotionally, and spiritually open, not only to the discovery/finding of, but also the receiving and examining of, a myriad of information in order to provide truthful reporting. I believe a key component here is trust--one must determine whom they can trust. (This was beautifully portrayed in the movie through the bonding of characters who collectively embraced one central cause: finding and rescuing Daniel.) This often involves risk, and journalists take such risks every day. The significance of finding someone to trust, regardless of race/ethnicity, religious belief, or political bias, was an important element woven throughout the story. I feel the union/marriage of Mariane and Daniel Pearl was a perfect example of this ability to see beyond appearances and into the heart of a person, thus the title of her book: 'A Mighty Heart'. Not only did Daniel Pearl remain 'a mighty heart' in the face of his captors, he had previously embraced true love with a woman so different in every way from himself, which was in itself a mighty feat. Together they created the kind of bond/unity our world needs to witness as an example of how to lovingly and acceptingly coexist in the highest way. Truly, he carried that message with him to all people wherever he went, under all circumstances, even unto his death.

I am greatly moved by this story and find Mariane Pearl a role model for grace and dignity and strength of character. She has told a story that needs to be understood/embraced on many levels. It's a love story and a story of both tragedy and triumph of the human spirit. Such a well intended spirit of truth and justice and caring and peace cannot be killed. The real tragedy would be in allowing this spirit to die by neglecting to hear the story. I think the movie is worth watching again and again so that we may all take away from it a little of the mentality/heart of both Mariane and Daniel Pearl. Our world would become a better place if we each began to carry the message evident in this movie. Armed with this knowledge, we could begin to 'dialogue' with one another the significance of this information--in other words we could 'pass it on' (remember that song from the sixties?).

Mariane Pearl did not leave the allies who assisted in her attempts to rescue Daniel feeling as if they had failed her. She warmly and sincerely thanked them over a dinner--she raised a glass to them representing gratitude and appreciation for their support. She acknowledged the need to see Daniel's death as a personal triumph over terrorism by not feeling/accepting the terror intended by his captors. She dedicated her life to keeping that spirit alive and challenged those who were involved in his plight to continue to dialogue and spread his story and it's worth to the world. I was so inspired and I'm ready to do my part. What about you?! Go rent the movie or check out the book and begin there.

Digest by Ben Taylor

Artist: The Ben Taylor Band

Song title: Digest

When it gets me depressed I find
That it's best with my chest high
As I stretch my lungs & express my love,
Hold my breath & forget my pride,
To reflect that the rest of our lives are a measure of time.
We may as well try to express some style.
I exhale my prayer.
(And) follow it with my eyes as it fills the air.
In the back of my mind I imagine that you can hear
As if you could still be near me.

But
Lately I've been breaking my mind,
Trying my best but it's taking its time.
Cause
(And) I've been forced to digest this wasteful emptiness.
And
I'm supposed to laugh as if there's nothing going on.
I know life goes on regardless,
But nothing's been the same
Since you've been gone.

Another run around the sun,
Look at the things we've seen.
(And) What have we both become?
What have we dreamed?
Who have we lost?
And what have we won?

I never could've believed that you wouldn't have finished what we'd begun.
I never dared to image you could've been taken away from us.

Just
Lately I've been breaking my mind,
Trying my best but it's taking its time.
Cause
I've been forced to digest this wasteful emptiness.
And
I'm supposed to laugh as if there's nothing going on.
I know life goes on regardless,
But nothing's been the same
Since you've been gone,
Since you've been gone,
Since you've been gone.

(Now) times change & the game plays on,
And the truth remains but the rules have all gone wrong.
Life rises, now (and) here we are
Still looking for the place where we belong.
Stronger than habit & fantasy,
Deeper than gravity.
(Well) What will be has to be.
God damn (planned) it, I understand it.
I hadn't imagined you'd leave me stranded
On this stage in these lights where I'm standing.
No right to complain
Cause it's already more than I'd ever had asked.
But without you
(Now) The best has yet to pass & now this song is about you.

And I've been forced to digest this wasteful emptiness.
(And) I'm supposed to laugh as if there's nothing going on.
I know life goes on regardless,
But nothing's been the same
Since you've been gone,
Since you've been gone,
Since you've been gone.

(Lyrics from: http://www.lyrics007.com/)

(I filled in the extra (ands) and (buts), etc., that I heard in the video performance (not written into the lyrics) and edited with parentheses around each word. Live performances are great that way!!!)

**See the video--the second down below this post. I've got to say that Ben and David Saw are my favorite musical artists at this time (aside from my daughter and son's zany satirical performances).

Lovely...

For Beautiful Sarah...