Friday, July 23, 2010

A Reflection...

This is a picture of our son, Stephen.  If you have been following this blog, you know that he and his family came to visit us in March.  Bethany was expecting, and today (the 22nd in the U.S)  they are the proud parents of a healthy baby girl!  I am missing them and so I went back through pictures of their visit.  I came across this one of Stephen in the fish market in Seoul and it reminded me of many moments during his visit when I would look at him and be reminded not of  his  father, but of mine.  My father was well-spoken, with a dry sense of humor and a quick mind.  He was intensely curious about the world, loved to travel, and easily engaged in conversations, especially ones from which he felt he could learn something.  I was both startled and touched to see these traits so apparent in his grandson. 

 My father would have been delighted with the news of the arrival of a new baby in the family.  I know I am!   I also find myself wondering what, if anything, of me will find its way into this little girl.  I hope it will be my better traits.  I hope it will be things that will help her become wise and strong and kind.  I hope that my son will think well of his heritage.  I hope he will recongize that his own children have been born of goodly parents.
Grandpa Abe
1923-2005

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4 comments:

  1. Mama PeckJuly 23, 2010 at 7:50 PM

    Congratulations, Grandma!! What a sweet tribute to your son and your dad.. roots and branches, that's really what its all about isn't it? I'm sorry you're not able to be there to see your new little one. Hope that's in your very near future. I know how hard it is to be away from home at times like these. Interesting that the traits you hope you will pass on to your granddaughter are exactly the adjectives I would use to describe you.. only you left out a wicked sense of humor! :)Miss you, my Friend! ((hugs))

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  2. Heather C.July 26, 2010 at 1:24 AM

    What a great photo of your pop! He looks smart. I know that my own kids are hugely influenced by their grandmothers, even though they have never lived close to them. Congrats to Stephen and Bethany!

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  3. Bethany ThompsonAugust 4, 2010 at 9:21 AM

    Isn't Stephen wonderful! I am so glad that I am married to him and am so thankful he is the father of my children... he is a wonderful role model for them.

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  4. PB'nJAugust 5, 2010 at 12:35 AM

    Bethany - well of course I think Stephen is wonderful - though I must admit I am not impartial in that assessment. However, notice that I said that your children are born of goodly PARENTS - that applies to both of you. I am grateful every day to know that your wonderful children are loved and cared for so well.

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Sunday, July 26 2009

Sunday, July 26 2009
Remember this sign?
We have learned something really interesting about this "welcome sign" which we thought was a big billboard that was pasted onto an old overpass. It turns out that this is a defensive emplacement known as a rock drop. It is a big concrete box full of rubble and rocks. In the event of an invasion by North Korea the panels underneath the drop will be opened and release the rubble across the roadway, hampering movement into South Korea.

SOLAR ECLIPSE!

SOLAR ECLIPSE!
Might look like the moon - but it's the sun!
On Wednesday July 22 Asia experienced a solar eclipse and we got to see it! Miraculously the expected day of monsoon rain did not materialize and the sky was mostly clear for the duration. During the eclipse, which occured around 11:00 a.m., the sun was much too bright to view directly - we had to be satisfied with reflected images. But, as the sun began to re-appear, just enough clouds came in to allow us to look - and take a picture. It was quite something to behold and we feel lucky for the opportunity.

On A Clear Day...

On A Clear Day...
We had 2 days of church meetings in the Seoul area. Today the weather was remarkably clear and I was able to get a great view of the city skyline and the radio tower. Usually the sky is too hazy for a view like this. Pollution, rain, high humidity or dust storms are contributing factors.