After working diligently for some months, I took a few days off a little while ago to spend with my family for Thanksgiving. On Tuesday of that week, I enjoyed a scenic drive out to Simi Valley, where I met my grandmother, my aunt, my uncle, and my cousin from the desert at the Reagan Library. When I got there, I was struck by the natural beauty of the place--I could have spent a good deal of time just writing on the grounds. When my family arrived, we shared a tasty traditional Adventist picnic while we caught up on each other's lives.
The museum itself gave me a good deal to think about. The exhibits about the economy could have practically been written yesterday, but the solutions proposed for it then are so different from the way the question is being approached now, from all sides. The oval office replica was as impressive as I remember from when I came to the Reagan library as a tiny child. I'd forgotten the degree to which the president is allowed to customize it. A president can put up the portraits of two former presidents on his or her wall--Reagan has Washington and Jackson. Not the two I would pick, but to each his own. Reagan's Oval Office is decked out in warm Southwestern tones, with Remington sculptures on the surfaces.
Air Force One hangs suspended in a large hanger with a vast glass wall overlooking the Simi Valley. Inside the plane, there were state rooms for President and Mrs. Reagan. Even the seats for the press would put the first class seating I envy on my way to economy class flying commercial to shame.
More than the plane, I found the section on the friendship between Reagan and Gorbachev fascinating, for a variety of reasons. My favorite part of the whole museum, though, was the Christmas exhibit. It was a display of Christmas trees, each decked out to represent a different decade of American history. It was a great review of my history, and it was great watching my grandmother reminisce about her childhood in the 30's. We exited the museum just in time to see the piece of the Berlin wall silhouetted against the most glorious sunset. That night we celebrated grandma's birthday at Olive Garden, then parted ways with my aunt, uncle, and cousin.
After a long journey the next day, we arrived in Fish Camp and greeted my uncle Mark warmly, We shared a meal of that amazing Quattro Formaggio pizza at the Timberloft, discussing the Yosemite's concessions contract, which is up for bid. Once back at his home, we caught sight of my aunt Shirley before she went to bed.
Thanksgiving morning, Mark made us some delicious hot chocolate, then we headed to the Ahwahnee for breakfast. I'm not a fan of eggs, but the eggs Benedict there was phenomenal, with a hollandaise sauce bordering on a spiritual experience. Just as delightful as that warming meal was the stroll we took afterwards together through Yosemite. Even though winter has already descended on the park, the trees are alight with autumnal fire, leaves cascading like golden rain.
After the now nearly-ceremonial Visitor's Center stop, we returned to the house to prepare for Thanksgiving dinner. Shirley taught me how to make a pie crust, and together we made the pumpkin and pecan pies. As she warmed up the rest of the meal, my parents, Mark and I sat around the fire, lazily engaged in conversation while watching their cat, Jemma, stretch out on the rug. We helped Shirley set the table, which glittered with Fostoria crystal and candlelight.
The meal was delicious and filling. I felt sleepy for the rest of the evening as we talked into the night. What did we talk about? A little bit of this, a little bit of that--but talking fills the air to provide an excuse for being together. The content is not always terribly important.
It was sad to have to leave so soon the next morning. The next day, I would hit the ground running with a busy Sabbath, but my Sabbath was the drive back to LA with my parents and grandmother, watching the fiery trees pass. Stopping at a random tourist trap, Bravo Farms, which does cheese tastings to die for. Closing the day with a fine vegan meal at Happy Family in Monterey Park before we said goodbye to my grandmother for the weekend.
Since then, I have been running nonstop. Even my few, precious days off have been stuffed to the gills with various activities and pursuits, and this is the first one in which I have had time to write to all of you. Some of you have heard rumors that my book, Seventh-day Awesome is being published. It is not a sure thing yet. Pacific Press has responded to my query with a request for a proposal, and I have not yet sent it in (for the same reason I have been so long in writing to you). Please keep my manuscript in your prayers. I will be preparing it for submission today.
Also, I will be praying for each of you as we enter this busy holiday season. It's so easy, so very easy to let the pressure of this busy time become a temporary sentence to Hell instead of a joyous celebration of those things that are most important to us--God, family, and friends. Today, I celebrate you and thank my Maker that you are in my life.
No comments:
Post a Comment