epic FAIL! I believe my attempt at the Olympics would be me barfing in the locker room beforehand and chickening out. Although, maybe I should give myself more credit...in track and cross country I did run every race that I was signed up for (I tried to get out of the 800M one time but felt bad and ran anyway). I stunk, but I ran.
I love your uncle's video. I wish I got the inside jokes, but I appreciate the message that he sent to everyone who watched. I will be more conscious of my ripples!!
This is my uncle Len, he made this video for my grandpa's 85th birthday.
Grandpa is a part of making me what I am. I remember many of the inside family jokes my uncle makes in this video and agree that the ripples we make (knowingly or not) truly do touch, impact and form lives.
I love my family, for all the good things and for all the things that make them human.
Their ripples still shape me.
I love you too Grandpa!
(Update):
In case you have a slow connection or don't want to watch the movie (although I HIGHLY recommend that you do), My Uncle Len's website "http://www.wellnesseducation.us/" has the basic text in the "Poem of the day": Aug 8. area.
I repost that text here:
eighty-five
by y. o. ungatheart
eighty-five lit candles
eighty-five new ways
eighty-five short years (that’s over 30,000 days)
eighty-five new jokes (a little sparkle in his eyes)
eighty-five quick quotes, still taking notes, at
eighty-five
________________________________________
• it is difficult to determine the impact of any, one action (and its resulting ripple-effect).
• it is impossible to imagine the amount of laughter, life, learning and Love that result from the millions of ripple-effects that are born during an 85-year play, in process.
• each of us (here, tonight) has played a role during this ongoing, uplifting play.
• albert, thank you for every, single, continuing moment…including:
o early-morning wake-ups, every morning, before you went to work
o family-centered sit-down dinners (every night of the week)
o sunday afternoon joy-rides in the station wagon
o cleaning the shop on saturdays, so that we could have…
o shoes
o turning simple things (like thunderstorms) into family entertainment
o fishing, picnics, family feuds, and family re-Unions
o french fries, at spring lake beach
o the opportunity to sing “blinka, blinka, blinka,” all the way from mineral spring avenue to the dairy-dip
(“look at all those tiger lilies”)
o do’s… and dooooooon’ts ………….and “dittos”
o laughs, and laughs, and laughs, and laughs, and then more laughs
o integrity, honesty, assertiveness… and human-ness
o stability… in a world of chaos
o Love, wrapped-up in an assortment of packages
…and… (drum roll, please)…
o having the wisdom to marry a True, living Angel
• may each one of us have the wisdom to consciously create our own ripple-effects, in our own way, as we chart our own courses during this magical journey called life.
That is so cool! I want to be adopted into the Martineau's! Tell your Uncle Len, thanks for rippling clear out to Oregon. And thanks, Bri, for sharing the video!
Wow, I really do rule! I like thinking about me as Darth Vader/Uncle Sam, but only the James Earl Jones Vader, not the Hayden Christianson excuse for Vader...
Awwa, man, did you have to write that when I was 23 weeks pregnant! Now I'm crying and I just did my makeup! =)
I love you so much, the person you were when we were 3-5 and you were jumping up and down in the branches of our tree outside our old house, I love the sweet caring, yet goofy friend you were to all your friends in your teen years, I love that you would put your self out just to make someone laugh or smile, I love the responsible, devoted thoughtful, giving husband you are for Ashley, I love the man you are always! Bri I miss you SO much and pray for the day that we are closer again!
Love,
Your Sister
I wish I had more time at FC getting to know you...the times we did have are some of my fondest memories from Florida...I'm sorry we haven't kept in touch, but I think of you every time I listen to "Down With The Sickness"...I can hear your laugh every time I burp...miss you bro...
Brian, you are someone I have always cherished... from the day I first knew you till today. Even though time has brought changes in both of our lives that prevent us from seeing each other, you are near in my heart as a cherished member of my heart's family. Hugs
Dude you are awesome. I wish I could spend more time with you in person to get to know the real and full you; because I'm sure that the real full you is much cooler than the funny, laughing, and even somtimes random you that so quickly attracts friends. I think the best adjective for you is simply Brian. and that's a good thing. Bear hug!!!!
Words are inadequate to tell you how important you are to me, to us! Sunday was a good day, and better cuz you and Ashley were in it, and comfortable being yourselves. I love you tons!!!
hey, thanks for your words when i was trapped in KY. i'm glad to have known you "back then" and even more glad you're one of the ones who will talk to me now. thanks.
I am thankful to count you a friend I have known since "back when" and thankful for the encouragement you have been and continue to be to me and mine....plus you are always good for a smile or random tidbit of trivia! (((((hugs)))))
