This is the Half Dome in Yosemite Park. On the right, you can see the Vernal and Nevada waterfalls. There are some things we do that remain "highlights" of our lives. The first night with your wife, the birth of your child, the events that make us who we are now In past years, I have walked up onto the top of that rock. First in 1965 when I was 15, and twice more over the years. Many folks do it, you actually need a permit now to keep the congestion under control. But by any standard, it's one hell of a eight mile walk just to the cables. Then the last bit, with steel cables for safety, because it's so steep you can barely stand. Scary, I will admit it. That walk takes strength and courage both. Each time, It was a major accomplishment of my life. So now I can go to my rest (not this year, thank you) knowing that at least three times I got to climb Half Dome, AND I survived the "Plague" or Pandemic of 2020. Not everyone can say both of those. Virginia Woolf said someplace (and quoting an old Roman) : I joined a vast fleet Sailing on the Ocean of Time When my ship sank The others sailed on My ship is loaded with these victories. And others, but these two will always be special for me. Thank you for giving us this place to write our stories.
May 31, 2021
The most important thing that happened was the death of a significant member of the extended family and the realization of how spread apart we all are in this most stressful of times. For the first time I find myself questioning whether I've made the right choice to emigrate away from my own immigrant parents, wondering how I will manage to take care of them and be there for them. And now my own daughter is moving on with her life by moving to yet another part of the world to be with her partner--so here we are now, spread out on four continents. I wish I could just gather everyone tight so we could all be together.
December 25, 2020