Happy Birthday, Rebecca!

Twenty-four years ago today the world became a better place. On a snowy fall evening, Mary and I drove to the Flagstaff hospital to welcome our new daughter into the world. Since then we have been blessed with two beautiful daughters who have made our lives complete. Rebecca once again resides in her hometown; the only regret about our move to Colorado is that there are now more miles between us. An ideal future (in my mind) would consist of her someday joining us here. In the meantime, Rebecca is the best friend a preschooler ever had, the best sommelier an oenophile ever met, and the best daughter a parent could hope for. Happy birthday, Rebecca, and may you have many, many more.

The Day After

Allegiant's schedule dictated a postponement of one day for our Thanksgiving feast so that Rebecca and Kevin can join us. This is the first Thanksgiving in our new Colorado home and everything is coming together nicely. I'm even getting some real turkey this year (after several attempts the past few years to pretend that tofurkey is even remotely like what it attempts to imitate). The vegetarian case is becoming stronger in my mind, however, and I will not be that surprised when I am eventually assimilated into their kind. I am taking many pictures--as many as the mood allows--and will make an earnest attempt to post them to flickr within seventy-two hours. I hear that there are millions participating in Black Friday today, but I have to confess that I find it preferable to extend the real thanksgiving by at least one more day because I have so very much for which to be thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Several of you have been so kind as to let me know you'd like another post. Well, here it is. With the abundant blessedness that is ours, it would be truly sinful not to express sincere thanksgiving. Only when we turn our focus from ourselves toward all the brothers and sisters we share Earth with can we begin--through comparison and contrast--to fully appreciate our bounty. Compassion fails when it's motivation is not genuine gratitude; we end up on the wrong side of the equation and suffer from gluttonous greed. Just as it makes good sense to remember the reason for Christmas, we do well to remember the multitude of reasons we have to be thankful; not just today, but every day.

Worth Thinking About

Every great advance in natural knowledge has involved the absolute rejection of authority.
- Thomas H. Huxley

Mom Plus Dad Equals Me

Mom plus Dad equals me. Even though our rate of scientific and technological advancement is mind-boggling, this biological fact holds universally true for our species. Until humans are able to create a sperm and egg from scratch, their continuing existence is integrally dependent upon this physiological combination regardless of whatever high-tech procedures are employed to induce it. Every human is the product of male and female conjugation, and what happens after that is humanity. The most intimate human relationship is maternal, for it is from that womb we are born. Until birth there is no independent choice for mother or child; the relationship is unconditional for both. It is the male that is free from the moment of conception to decide what his role will be. Psychoanalysis did not invent--but does articulate--the critical influence of parents upon developing offspring. The two most significant people in my life are Mom and Dad; they always have been, and that's why any examination of the people who have affected my life must begin with them.