Classic Imagery

Thursday we accompanied John, Anna and their children to tour the new Phoenix LDS Temple. It was not a new experience because we have toured many of the latest newly constructed buildings in recent years.

I had both a film and a digital camera that I could use to capture the memory.

As we progressed, Joshua and Adam posed for the above pictures. When I saw the outcome, they closely resembled classic images that parents have made of their children in locations like this since the invention of the camera. In fact they closely mirror photos my mother made each year at the beginning or end of school. To a large extent they define family photography. I toned them to reinforce those similarities even though they were shot digitally.

58 Years Ago.

This film photo of Anna, Ella and Janie was less traditional.

This squinty-eyed shot is more traditional and captures this family in the sunny hot splendor of an Arizona October day. All of these images are history for the next generation.

Photographs allow children in a family to have images they can reconnect with later in life.

MISTER SOBERSIDES

As I age days seem to fly by. It took such a long time to turn 20, then 30 and 40. That is no longer true. Time is moving with rapidity.

My advanced age has me reflecting. If I live only as long as my father, only 12 years left. Our 50th wedding anniversary will be in 13 years from now. To pass at the same age as Mother, 17 years remain. In essence, the infinity of my life has become finite.

It is unlikely, but should I have inherited the age stamina of the aunts on my father's side, I can last another 25 to 30 years. That possibility seems unsettling in its significance, requirements and impact.

To all the people who wish me to quickly move on and get out of their lives, start making the tick marks leading up to your supposed celebration.

To close friends and family for whom some value arises from my continued presence, I can only suggest that we celebrate one another as long as possible, recognizing the quickly shortening time frame.

At this point, I harbor no fears. Death does not frighten me. Other things associated with being alive really do.

I have markers for heart attack and Parkinson's. None is yet apparent. Dementia has not been a factor in my family. Hopefully, I will not end that trend. I would like to have the clarity and ability to remember possessed by my aunt who turns 99 on her birthday this year. However, some of the memories, had they survived, might break my heart and shorten the time span.

All of us will face these conundrums. None of us wants to. Friends certainly are hesitant to reflect upon this awareness. So, the best thing to do is to sing the words from the Brigham Young fight song, "Carry On! Carry On!"

Adam's End of the Year Recital

Adam presented a recital at his Montessori school on Thursday, May 22. Everything was played without sheet music. I did not keep count of the many pieces he performed, but I was proud of him and amazed at his skills.