The Parish Family Blog

How our brains define us and connect us to the world and to one another

I wish could have watched this with each of you. Justin sent it to me encouraging, pleading, with me to see it. I did so finally today and all I can tell you is how much I cried at how beautifully insightful and touching it is. The feelings I had in my body were like those of a More To Life Training on a Sunday.  You will think of Sharon Parish and all that she wanted for herself and others to know and all that she worked so faithfully with us to have for ourselves and others.

http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/229

About the Video:

Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor had an opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: One morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. As it happened -- as she felt her brain functions slip away one by one, speech, movement, understanding -- she studied and remembered every moment. This is a powerful story about how our brains define us and connect us to the world and to one another.

A School Project from Justin - "The Artifact"

Justin sent this to me quite a few weeks ago. I wanted to be sure to get it posted because I was so touched and so impressed with his thinking and creativity.  What you want to do is keep in mind Justin's thinking around losing his mom and connecting with her in such a creative and deeply spiritual way.

Tom

"We embark on a familiar voyage to a place we have never been.  An adventure lies ahead with familiar players playing unfamiliar roles, for I will not be delivering you to your final destination.  You travel protected within the waters of life to meet the sun upon a lone exposed ridge along the Great Divide.  Supported in your raw timber blossom, the sun will aid you in your metamorphosis.  Eagerly awaiting a playmate to navigate the skies with, the wind licks at your ice cocoon.  The surrounding snow yearns to return you into the streams, into the lakes, into the rivers, into the vastness.  I leave you atop a mountain where nature’s essential elements will begin your cyclical journey back into the Earth, leaving nothing behind, only the memory of what was."

Lily Is Driving ... (with me nearby)

Just when you thought this blog was going a bit stale - whammo, more goodies show up. Yes, a lot has been going on in the Parish family.

There are some amazing school projects that Justin is working on. I am rather tardy in getting notes on those posted with some pictures. But I will, check back ...

Lauren and Ryan are for sure moving to Maine for four years. They are excited about the next big leg in their journey as a couple. I know I am, though I'll miss them for sure. Guess I'll have to look at a trip up there in the fall when the leaves are changing.

So for this morning here is a pic of Lily driving. I'm teaching her how to drive the old red truck, which is a stick shift. Justin and Lauren learned on the same truck, so it only seems fitting. The first time we gave it a go I let Lily drive around in the front yard so she could get a feel for how to use three pedals and the shifting of gears. After a few bumpy starts she quickly got the hang of slipping the clutch with just enough acceleration to get into 1st gear with not 'too' much difficulty. Each time it gets better.

How exciting for her ...

Alright, more soon on a variety of topics.

Love
Tom