Remember

(Yes, three blog posts in one day. I've been neglecting my post, and making up for lost time)

Today is Memorial Day. It's a day to stop and think about these young guys in their 20s who are dying for the cause over in Iraq - whether or not you agree with the war. Their young lives are over. It's a chilling realization.

I also think about my great-uncle Tom, who died as a young officer during World War II. I never got to meet him, obviously, but I got to visit the monument erected in his honor in the French village of Wissous, just outside of Paris.

His aircraft underwent enemy fire and went down over the village, and the pilot steered the plane away from the church and crashed into a wall instead. It was a Sunday morning, and the entire village would have been killed had the plane crashed into the church. The villagers streamed out of the church, I am told, to see what happened. My great-uncle was shot by German artillery as he jumped from the plane. He never had a chance. The villagers thoughtfully buried the men in shallow graves until the bodies could be transported to their final resting places.

One of the villagers, who was just a child at the time, contacted my grandfather and invited him to Paris for the unveiling of the memorial. This was about 17 years ago or so. My grandfather learned French and accepted the honor on his brother's behalf, speaking fluently. (My grandfather is the smartest man I have ever known).

My grandparents made friends with several of the villagers and these are the people I was able to meet and spend the day with on my trip, which was about 13 years ago now. They showed me a model of the aircraft that went down. We visited the crash site, and I saw the church. And I saw the beautiful memorial, and traced along the letters carved in marble with my finger... WILKINS.(I'll try to scan and add some photos soon).

Losing someone you love is a wound that time can numb but can never heal, and I know my grandfather never stopped missing his brother. I often think about the cousins I would have had, and how our family would have been even fuller and happier with him there. All we have are his medals and photos, and a gorgeous oil painting of him that my grandfather painted. And now my son (Nathan Thomas) bears his name, in honor of the brother my grandfather loved so much. The war hero.

Happy Memorial Day.

What I did this summer...

I'm extremely excited about summer this year, like a kid who's antsy to get out of school. There are so many things i want to DO and experience and explore. I've been mulling this list over for weeks, and keep telling myself I need to write it down so I don't forget anything.

So here's my list:

-Angels games
-Catch up on the movies I'm told are terrific but I've never seen... (the list is way too long)
-Conquer my fear of heights... maybe.
-Music gigs with Justin, the amazing guitarist
-Cosmic bowling
-Safari or sleepover at the Wild Animal Park
-Go to the zoo by myself to sit and watch the gorillas
-Lots of walks on the beach
-Lay out on the beach and work on a good tan
-Go swimming
-Teach the boys how to surf or boogie board
-Teach the boys how to skateboard
-Learn to surf
-Learn to skateboard
-Play put-put golf
-Go rollerskating (old fashioned 8-wheels)
-Regular walks to Dana Point Harbor
-Bike on the boardwalk in HB and Newport weekly
-Hike at Crystal Cove and in the back country of Laguna
-Snorkel at Catalina
-Read some really good books
-Symphony at Verizon or Hollywood Bowl
-Lots of indie rock shows
-Go on a sailboat
-See Wicked again
-Dance like a feign on the dance floor
-"Murals Under the Stars" at MOLAA in Long Beach
-Art Walk in Santa Ana
-Trip to the Getty
-Weekend (booze) cruise to Mexico with Rach
-Explore my artistic talents at Color Me Mine (haha)
-Ride roller coasters at California Adventure
-Wine tasting/beer tasting
-Learn more about cheese
-Sushi eating
-Cook my own food at one of those Thai restaurants, is it?
-Learn to cook something in my own kitchen
-Tennis
-Watch the game at a sports bar
-Kayak with Rach
-Camp out by the beach
-Star gaze
-Road trip to Santa Barbara to see Hearst Castle
-Trip to Seattle



Shana and Hdz - you are my two faithful readers ;) If you have any other fun ideas, let me know!

Jimmy Fallon taking over for Conan

I think Jimmy Fallon is so adorable. Now I get to ogle him nightly, as soon as Conan takes over for Jay. Looks like it's time to get a DVR! Read the story here.