Family,
Today was Mathias 30th birthday and we had a family dinner and romp on the lawn for him. Here are some pictures from today. Before he blew out his candle, Kirsten and Skye sang happy birthday to him, Metropolitan Opera style. It was funny and just perfect for him. We also had a good time playing frisbee on the lawn and generally romping around, enjoying the spring day.
Earlier, Kaaren and I were the speakers at our ward sacrament meeting. To our great honor, Mathias and Kirsten showed up. Kaaren spoke about service and I spoke about the question by an ancient lawyer - "And who is my neighbor." I'll attach some of my notes, though of course, you won't hear the jokes and tears that went with it. Ask Courtney about my opening remark that got a huge laugh and started things off well for my talk. It is a very humbling thing to speak to this ward. There is so much strength and service and devotion going on all around us - most of which we never see, so as I sat on the podium waiting to speak, my eyes filled with tears as I looked into the faces of our friends and neighbors in this ward, thinking of their devotion to the gospel and their feelings of charity for each other. I felt so honored and humbled to be asked to address them. I wish you could hear Kaaren's talk. Every time she talks I learn new things about her boarding school.
After our meeting block, I went to hear the spring concert of the West Linn Community Chorus. It was wonderful to see old friends, to hear them sing and wave at me and give me lots of hugs. They sang a broadway themed program at a new church in Oregon City that donated the space and sound system. The local TV station filmed it and the West Linn Tidings photographer showed up, so they are doing a good job of community outreach (publicity).
Yesterday I puttered around the house, taking care of so many chores gone undone here, while Kaaren worked her marvelous art through the day with a group of breast cancer "survivors" in downtown Portland. I mowed the lawn, put in new skylights, moved canoes and junk and cleaned up stuff, trimmed drain pipes we just installed and did some shopping with Molly. I trimmed some bushes, swept stuff and cleaned stuff in the house. I'm still sore.
Kaaren and I both spent the evening at our dining room table with scriptures and papers gathering our thoughts.
Kaaren's birthday is this coming Thursday. She will be 63. What happened to us? It seems like yesterday we were both 23 and planning our wedding. Your time here is precious. Enjoy it.
love,
Dad
