Vacation Has Begun

Summer means work in gardens. In the past I've been the fully employed volunteer at Kleppers' place in Michigan. Now with a change in venue, Michigan to Colorado, I've found things to do in Erwins' yard. This trimming of rose bushes and clean out flower beds may look like work, but it really is an enjoyable activity.

Having friends like Jim and Judy is a real blessing. In good times they are great fun, and in times less than good, they are a consistent, valued comfort.

Trimming and cleaning gardens? The least I can do to repay friendship.

mh

Fathers Day - A Quality Substitute

Having a Fathers Day without my own father was a downer, but I still had a really, really pleasant Day. I went to Farmington, New Mexico with my great friend Jim Erwin to visit his dad. Jim's mom and dad are really cool people, models for what I would like to become. We had a perfect day, going to Si Senors restaurant for great Mexican food, then home to watch the US Open golf tournament.

It's hard to know what was better, the food or the golf. In the end, though, the memory that's left is spending good time with great people.

mh

First Father-less Fathers Day

Today is my first Fathers Day with no living father. But because Dad is not with me any more does not mean I'm not thinking of him. I was surprised how conditioned I am to contact him.

I noticed when the plane landed in Seattle, my first reaction was to call and tell him we're on the continent. Today, the same. I wasn't out of bed yet and I was thinking of calling Dad, wishing him well, and expressing how much he's meant to me over a lifetime.

The accompanying photo of me, Dad, and Pat is one of the last ones I have of him. It was taken at Christmas at one of the usual happy family gatherings. Fortunately, I was aware of his gradually declining health, and was aware each time we met it could be for the last. I so valued that time together.

What I've found is that Dad is still with me, even though he has passed away. The memories of all his qualities, the good and maybe less good will stay with me a lifetime, I'm sure. I just hope I am be the same kind of father he was to me.

I've a very lucky life.

Honeyville in Durango

Yesterday we went to Honeyville, a business establishment 6 miles north of Durango, that does bees and everything having to do with bees. I was actually looking for some hand lotion, but of course ended up buying much more. How do you resist Cinnamon flavored honey butter? :-) The most interesting thing I learned was how the company treats their bees in the winter. Of course it snows and gets cold in Colorado, so the bee hives, complete with inhabitants, are loaded onto a truck and transported to sunny, warm California to spend the winter.

How many of us wouldn't like the same treatment as the bees? But then again, how many of us work as hard as they do?

Deaf School In India

What an experience. Very close to the apartment we were staying in was a deaf school for very disadvantaged students. We walked over to take a look, and we were very well received by the administration and students. Signing was the way of communication, and I found I remembered some of my skills learned from Ben this year. :-) More practice, more remembering.

To start, it was about me remembering my American Sign Language, but quickly it became about friendship, acceptance, and trying to bridge differences from one person to another. I feel this is going to be a long term relationship...when we visit India again in August and then again in December, we will again visit the school, this time really looking at ways we can help out.

Language is such a barrier, but in this instance, signing will become a bond.

mjh

Will It All Fit?

India bound to meet new family members and establish new and exciting relationships...and that's not counting the richness of India as a country. This is going to be one of the most significant trips of my recent life, and I'm ready for it. Photo ops? There should be many. :-)

For you students who have begun blogging your summer, I'm anxious to follow your adventures and how you are reacting to them. This time away from the traditional classroom is a great opportunity for other kinds of learning. Make sure you take full advantage, eh?

mh

From One Door To Another

5 June 2010, a day unlike no other. I closed the door to Q2 for the last time, closing off 22 years to the JIS experience. Though the picture is of a smiling former faculty member, certainly the heart has mixed, jumbled emotions. So, so many wonderful students have come in one door, then out the other. So many positive parents have visited to view their children's work and discuss successes and how to achieve even more.

I am a very, very lucky person to have experienced this for so long.