Isabelle grows

Following the birth of my granddaughter Isabelle Grace Loewen on February 19, she has grown and developed rapidly - here is a portrait that her mother took on June 19 (perhaps practicing a future soprano high note?), as well as a picture of Isabelle and her Grandpa AB on Memorial Day.

Comerica Park

Yesterday, June 20 (which was Father's Day), I fed the side of me which is a big fan of the Detroit Tigers, going to their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Comerica Park. I went with my friend Tom Brown, in celebration of his birthday (also on June 20), and before the game he took this photo of me in front of the big tiger statue outside the stadium with his iPhone.

Far distant memories

Almost precisely 35 years ago (on Saturday, June 6, 1975), I graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy as Co-Valedictorian (Keith Orr and I tied with GPA's of 4.0). The memories which stand out to me most clearly are: (1) the magnificent musical contributions of Interlochen's ensembles to the graduation ceremony; (2) the splendor of the setting, on a lovely late spring day in Interlochen's partially open Kresge Auditorium, with the waters of Green Lake shimmering, clearly visible through the windows behind the stage; (3) the great pride I felt to be graduating from such a fine and recognized institution; (4) the puzzlement I felt as I approached the lectern to deliver my valedictory address, wondering where my family was, as I still had not located them amidst the vast assemblage ... and then, knowing instantly when I heard the absolutely unmistakable (to me) sound of my Dad clearing his throat.

Mortality

I had a sobering reminder of the fleeting nature of life yesterday, when I attended the funeral of a friend and work colleague, a 37-year-old man who had died this week as a result of injuries sustained in a May 18 car accident. It was a very odd experience to look at Chris in the coffin and recollect the many conversations and laughs we'd shared. With a LOT of older relatives, I am well used to deaths and funerals, but this is the first time I can remember the death of a friend YOUNGER than I am. I guess I'd better get used to it, though ... I'm going to keep getting older, and expect to be around for several more decades yet. Oh, I know that my times are in the Lord's hands - but with a good genetic heritage (grandmothers of 102 and 93, for instance), I think my chances for a long life are pretty good.