...from the Valentine's bouquet. While some of the flowers are fading away, this blossom is still so very beautiful.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The wonder of Facebook...
... is that it helped me find a long-lost friend whom I had never laid eyes on! In 1989, I began sponsoring a young girl in Jackson, Mississippi, by the name of Nkenge Ransom, through the Christian Childrens Fund. It turned out to be a nearly 15 year relationship, maintained entirely by letters. (Her earliest were, in fact, written by her mother.) Then, suddenly, CCF notified me that she had been dropped from the program - no surprise as she had entered college! But, despite the fact that she was no longer a minor, they refused to assist me in continuing our relationship; they said they could not give out any information that would help me contact her.
That was in 2004. One night about a year ago, I wondered if there was any possibility I could find her through Facebook. I typed in her name, and was over-joyed when there was only one response - Nkenge Ransom-Friday, with a picture. I was sure it was her! I sent off a message, and was thrilled when she responded within the day. Once again we were able to communicate, now through Facebook, and we caught up on each others' lives. When she first contacted me, she and her husband of five years were living in Italy and she was working for the Red Cross. Later last year they returned to the States and she is now working on her doctorate in International Studies at the University of Oklahoma, as well as teaching at a nearby community college.
A few weeks ago she contacted me and said that she and her sister, Joy, would be in Los Angeles for just two days, arriving on the 18th. Could we meet for lunch? That meeting, so many years in the making, took place yesterday, the day after her 27th birthday. I'm thrilled to say that she is everything I expected her to be - sweet and bright, charming and ambitious. We had a lovely hour and a half visit with her and her sister (also a beautiful, delightful young woman). It was a bit hard to let her go, but we promised each other many more visits in the future. And now we can call and write and share pictures any time we want! Ain't technology great?
That was in 2004. One night about a year ago, I wondered if there was any possibility I could find her through Facebook. I typed in her name, and was over-joyed when there was only one response - Nkenge Ransom-Friday, with a picture. I was sure it was her! I sent off a message, and was thrilled when she responded within the day. Once again we were able to communicate, now through Facebook, and we caught up on each others' lives. When she first contacted me, she and her husband of five years were living in Italy and she was working for the Red Cross. Later last year they returned to the States and she is now working on her doctorate in International Studies at the University of Oklahoma, as well as teaching at a nearby community college.
A few weeks ago she contacted me and said that she and her sister, Joy, would be in Los Angeles for just two days, arriving on the 18th. Could we meet for lunch? That meeting, so many years in the making, took place yesterday, the day after her 27th birthday. I'm thrilled to say that she is everything I expected her to be - sweet and bright, charming and ambitious. We had a lovely hour and a half visit with her and her sister (also a beautiful, delightful young woman). It was a bit hard to let her go, but we promised each other many more visits in the future. And now we can call and write and share pictures any time we want! Ain't technology great?
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day...
Snoopy and Woodstock greeted Margaret this morning, wishing her a Happy Valentine's Day, a gift from Larry. Then, later in the morning, while Margaret was out on an errand, the beautiful bouquet of red roses magically appeared! The celebration continues this evening with dinner out at a fabulous Italian restaurant.
The loss of a precious friend...
Last Wednesday Margaret learned that a young friend - an ex-riding student, and the nephew of her trainer friend, John, had died tragically in Chicago the evening before. That afternoon, he had graduated from his Naval Surgical Technician course at Great Lakes. It was the last course he was to take there; in just a few days he was scheduled to return home to visit his mother, fiance, family, and friends, before going on to San Antonio for further training.
That night after graduation, he and some buddies were out in the city. They made a fateful decision to run across a set of railroad tracks, despite the fact that there was a train heading towards the station. It is assumed that they thought the train would be stopping at the station, but it did not. All the young men made it across except 23 year old Chase.
We attended an informal memorial Saturday night hosted by the parents of a couple of our junior riders. With the funeral still a week away, it was thought that it would be good for the barn kids who were closest to him to be able to grieve together in a less rigid environment than at the church later in the week. It was time for the adults who cared about him to grieve as well..
On Sunday, after spending some quality time with dear Belle, we decided the diversion of one of our little day-trips was in order. Yesterday was a glorious, sunny and warm day - perfect for being near the water. We had brunch at a great little local watering hole in Dana Point called Turks, and then headed on to the Ocean Institute - a place we'd first learned about last November - to take a peek around.
That night after graduation, he and some buddies were out in the city. They made a fateful decision to run across a set of railroad tracks, despite the fact that there was a train heading towards the station. It is assumed that they thought the train would be stopping at the station, but it did not. All the young men made it across except 23 year old Chase.
We attended an informal memorial Saturday night hosted by the parents of a couple of our junior riders. With the funeral still a week away, it was thought that it would be good for the barn kids who were closest to him to be able to grieve together in a less rigid environment than at the church later in the week. It was time for the adults who cared about him to grieve as well..
On Sunday, after spending some quality time with dear Belle, we decided the diversion of one of our little day-trips was in order. Yesterday was a glorious, sunny and warm day - perfect for being near the water. We had brunch at a great little local watering hole in Dana Point called Turks, and then headed on to the Ocean Institute - a place we'd first learned about last November - to take a peek around.
The Ocean Institute...
For over thirty years the Ocean Institute in Dana Point has been bringing school children to this facility for lectures and demonstrations on many aspects of the the ocean, its inhabitants, the science of monitoring its activity, and much more. On weekends, the public is welcome to tour the facility and get a taste of what is being taught there.
On board the Brig Pilgrim...
The best part of visiting the Institute was the opportunity to actually board one of the two ships operated by the organization. Though we were told by our tour guide that the Pilgrim was no longer considered a ship - it had been built in Denmark in 1945 with three masts - a necessity to be designated a ship. Many years later one mast was removed to make it a replica of the original Brigantine Pilgrim.
Our on-board guide was delightful, not only while he was reminding us of the rules of safety while visiting, but also as he brought to life the history of the vessel and what it was like for the young men who had served on it. The tour included a trip "below" to see the crew quarters, but there was a disclaimer that there had been repair work done recently - the odor of fresh varnish was in the air, as was the musty smell of some damp mattresses being aired out. We choose to stay top-side and soak in the warm sunshine and the smell of the sea air.
Creative floral display...
Margaret was just fascinated by numerous narrow vases filled with submerged orchids on display in entry hall at the institute!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Happy Chinese New Year at the Bowers Museum...
The first Sunday of each month, Bowers offers free admission to all who wish to visit the museum. On this particular first Sunday, it was also hosting a Chinese New Year party in the courtyard, with entertainment, food stands, craft tables for the kids, and more. We thought this might be a great introduction to the museum for David and Heather's kids. (Apparently, so did a lot of other people!) We did get to see the Dragons enter the courtyard to kick off the celebration, Sophia got to make a Chinese lantern, and Jonathan and Sophia thought the orchids on sale were quite beautiful.
The grand-kids first visit to Bowers...
The courtyard where the New Year's Party took place was so very crowded, it was next to impossible to see and hear the entertainment or get to the vendor booths. So, we decided to show the whole crew around a few of the exhibits inside that we had enjoyed during our first visit a month or so ago. When we decided to take off and let them explore on their own, it appeared that an afternoon at Bowers was a hit - at least with the "older" crowd. (Joshua and Isaac - your time to enjoy it will come.)
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