Thanksgiving Week

For our Thanksgiving celebration we try to keep some of the traditions passed on from my childhood. We have to rewrite the third line as we add generations and mention those who are present.

I bought BYU caps for everyone, but took a photo with and without!

My three daughters: Julie, Anne, Emily, then with sons Marc and Peter

After dinner at my house we went around the corner to the Taylors' for dessert, singing , talents and more conversation, relaxing and games.

Ben is enjoying one of Lucie's chicken brood!

So wonderful to have Anne and Neil here from Vermont for a few days

Peter, Julie, Neil, Ming, Rebecca, Anne and Fernanda

Two of the several musical numbers: Aaron on cello, Evie on piano

Friday, November 30, we went to Temple Square  (The pioneer era temple is being renovated for seismic reasons, 2019-2026)

Evie sang with a select group of children as part of a fabulous Christmas concert with symphony and choir. The several soloists were amazing. Now the season has really started for me!

Evie and friend. Below: Fernanda, Marc, Evie, Simon and Hannah

The mountains are gorgeous out my back windows. Can you see the "Y" behind BYU, on the following photo?

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I am as thrilled as many French and others that the gorgeous Notre Dame Cathedral is now rebuilt as close as possible to the original, after a disastrous fire 5 1/2 years ago. But all the dark soot is gone and it is bright as it was when finished in 1260, built on site of an old Roman church and pagan temple. I can't wait to revisit someday!

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Wonderful exhibit at the BYU Art Museum, a must see! Of course you can skip these if you are not an art fan!

                                                    Night's Impossible Burden

                                                            The Angry Babies

                                                                Empathy

                                                              Descent from the Cross

                                                            Burdens Seen and Unseen

                                                        Fall Like Three Sisters

                                                                Climbing Mother

                                                                    Mother Eve

                                                            Wrestling the Angel

I especially like this 'Gardening in the Rain'. BK says that "What I do is neither insignificant nor unimportant. My contribution isn't futile, it's everything, even if I sometimes seem oblivious, like the gardener, to Heaven's presence or help." I love the boy planting a tree. I made sure I planted pansies before the snow. They will survive the winter and grow in the spring! Everything here is cut back for the winter.

And his huge well-known and beloved Nativity (88x204 inches) shows the worry and concern of Joseph, the adoration and protection of angels to comfort the new mother of Jesus Christ.

Now is the time to remember old friends. I was so delighted to know that my host mother, Marcelle de Bernis, from my year studying in France (1964-5) has just celebrated her 97th birthday! I was an au pair to her 5 children while studying at the University of Grenoble. I was worried because I hadn't heard from her for a long time. My life has been so rich with friends, family, experiences (the kind that add up to make us who each of us are). I am grateful for so much, and try to welcome in even the hard things, the challenges for ourselves and others that help each of us grow. I pray for a more peaceful 2025, especially for those who are hungry, displaced, who have lost family, jobs, and the life they knew in better times. Take time to help others.

May your holiday season be filled with delights. Merry Christmas!