Thursday- April 7, 2022

Dear Marion,

  Driving to school on this dreary, foggy morning I pointed to the long line of vibrant yellow forsythia boldly making a statement despite the steady stream of rain. Through sleepy eyes, your granddaughter replied yellow is one of those colors that you can’t help but smile when you see it which then prompted hilarious car karaoke of songs containing the word yellow. Another morning earlier in the week I was drawn into the driveway to take some photos of these carefully planted forsythia bordering a walking path and sport fields. As beautiful as they are, I wish they were allowed to grow a little more freely, less like a coiffed hedge. Dotting this route to school, there are other forsythia growing in residential yards with their branches uneven and dancing in the wind. A ballet of yellow exploring their freedom. I asked Bella which style of Forsythia she liked better. It depends on where they are planted and whether you want them for privacy. Perfect response and one that I wanted to point out works for most design questions. The beauty is there are so many ways you can design to meet the needs you require for yourself or project. This time of year I love that my home can be transformed by some inexpensive options to add a pop of yellow and it will change my mood and perception. We can choose some yellow hand towels for our bathroom or kitchen, maybe a yellow candle(with or without scent), some fresh tulips or whatever yellow we find at the florist or grocery store depending on our budget.

  The forsythia blooms remind me of growing up and how your yard and garden had something blooming at all times so that there was always something to look forward to at every step of the season. Living in this moment and at the end of your granddaughter’s Senior year of High School, I remember how much fun it was to be a senior graduating but also how unsure and destabilizing. This is their time to decide who they want to be and what they want to do, how they want to design their future. Many times your words have filtered through me and one phrase that comes to mind is ‘not making a decision is also making a decision’. Choosing colleges to explore and apply to is one stage and then choosing ‘The One’ is a commitment that some enjoy while others find it painful. It’s exciting for some and overwhelming for others. I knew where I wanted to go and once I received that thick envelope from my first choice, the difficult decision was over. I can remember where I was standing as well as the elation I felt and that I could not stop smiling …and yelling to you that I got accepted! Many questions came later for me, while friends of mine who began this part of the journey undecided have fallen into their path quite naturally. So many roads, different  directions, and styles to consider.

 Recently I enjoyed a zoom talk with Dolly Parton and James Patterson discussing their collaboration on a new book, “Run Rose Run” with an album that Dolly Parton wrote to accompany their book. This is the second book this year I read that was written by two individuals from very different backgrounds(Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny) who unexpectedly worked together. Each author brought their unique history to the mix creating a thoroughly enjoyable read. Elton John and his collaborations with younger musicians and songwriters have kept Elton John even more exciting to younger listeners. We will be enjoying his last tour in the not too distant future primarily because your granddaughter has developed a great joy in hearing Elton John sing no matter what decade he recorded the song. Lady Gaga collaborating with Tony Bennet is another beautiful example of experiencing something fresh and  alive but timeless. I think that is one key to staying young and enjoying each of the stages of our lives. To stay relevant, I need to keep learning and exploring, especially when I feel stubborn about whatever the new idea is that is floating around. Bitcoin? Virtual art and real estate ownership? New ways to exercise, plant based diets, whatever is unfamiliar to my younger years and generation is exactly what I need to strive to understand and then decide how that pertains to the life I want to live.

  A few days ago, Bella announced she would be making dinner for us on Friday night. Pan Seared Salmon was her plan and further inquiry brought the menu rounding out with Garlic Roasted Potatoes and Steamed Haricot Verts. The meal did not disappoint and in fact we all ate as though we hadn’t enjoyed a meal in weeks. It was fantastic and the delight on all of our faces seemed to bring joy to Bella’s. Passion and what makes us feel alive can change and sometimes holds our interest but nothing remains the same and that can be gratifying but also bittersweet. Acknowledging our feelings at these big forks in the road of what we call life is important and hopefully helps in transitioning. The end of this chapter is coming and we can’t stop it but we certainly have the ability to choose how we want to celebrate and commemorate.

Talk soon,

Forever Yours

Quote:

“Be open to new ideas and experiences because you’ll never know when someone else will have an interesting thought or when a new door will open to take you on the journey of your dreams.”

Ketanji Brown Jackson

Associate Justice-designate of the Supreme Court of the United States

The First Black woman to sit on the Supreme Court

Born in Washington, DC on September 14, 1970