Something I saved

         in Eichberg, probably 1986, when Steven was almost 12.

Finlandia!

Unfortunately the photo cut off some of the people at the left, including 1st violinist and our conductor and his wife.

Our little community orchestra gave a concert at the old Episcopalian church downtown. Sunlight streamed in through the stained glass.

It was so fun. Making music together in a group is a real joy.

In the middle of the night before, I woke up, suddenly realizing I was in over my head, had bitten off more than I could chew, and might well embarrass myself and the entire group. I wish  weren't sitting right up front! But I managed, with encouragement, and everyone else did so well!  We sounded great! Better than in the rehearsals.
The music was festive European music from the Classic / Romantic period. Started with 'Pomp and Circumstance', then two Elegical Melodies by Grieg, ('The Wounded Heart' and 'Last Spring'); then 'Peer Gynt Suite', and at the end, 'Finlandia' (which is one of John's favorites).

Celina had a wonderful time. She loves orchestra.

Special thanks to our conductor, Shawn Robinson, and his wife Stephanie. She sang 'Last Spring' in her beautiful mezzo-soprano. I confess I got tears a few times in rehearsal, it sounded so gorgeous.
Thanks also to John and to friends Jean B, and Jim and Alayne, and Pat and Rich for coming!

The Art of Letter Writing

The art of letter writing has not died out in the Charles clan. I'm so glad.

And evidently, neither have aerogrammes! (Are they still called that? The letters that are one sheet of paper, folded, with the address on the outside.) These two below arrived in the last few months.

After our family emigrated to Canada in the '50's, my mother sent aerogrammes to her sister back in Austria

Our Dad was a great letter - writer.  This is the oldest letter of his that we have, and it's from the early 1930's.  He's a university student, and he has just arrived in his rented room in Graz.  He's been on a walking vacation in Dalmatia, Albania, etc. and he writes twelve enthusiastic pages to his parents about his adventures.

Why do I like letters so much? Lots of reasons. Most of them sentimental.  Letters connect us.

           Growing up, family life was colorful, a little complicated, a little dramatic, with many interesting
twists and turns. Old letters to trusted relatives offer clues and happy memories and sometimes a totally new perspective; thanks to to those who cherished the letters enough to save them.  Franz's letter above was saved first by his parents, then by his sister, Tante Trude, and then by TT's daughter, our cousin, who recently gave it to us.  This particular one causes us to wonder, though:  Dad studied in the southern city of Graz? When? We always thought he went directly to Innsbruck to study medicine. Hmm... A new mystery for us siblings and cousins to discuss and try to solve....

Two Birthday Boys

Jean and LC, in Jean's room, to which he is pretty much confined at the moment due to some small strokes lately

We are celebrating two special birthdays today, on April 9, 2014!  For one, the age is 12. The other, 99.

Jean had a happy birthday. He received many phone calls from family, a visit from his physical therapist, and a visit from his and our friend, Roy, who sang a new country song he had composed just for this occasion, honoring and admiring Malcolm Jean Charles and his long life. It was the best part.  A joy.

In the evening, we had a party for LC at the very cute, old-fashioned roller skating place in the nearby town of Bloomfield. It's the Old Bloomfield Meeting House. The children and youth from the branch came, and it was a great time. Lots of fun.

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,  GRANDPA JEAN, AND LC!

May this new year of your lives be a happy, healthy and blessed one for you both, and your families.

              

Little brothers and baby sister were on roller skates, too

Skaters' Waltz

   D sent this pretty scene today from guess which European city?

       Hint:  I wouldn't be surprised if a waltz was playing over the loudspeaker (something like Donauwalzer
        or Wienerblut ) .

Forty-five

                       

           Forty-five years ago, we left Provo in the afternoon as soon as we had taken the last exam, and drove off towards his home in California. We passed Reno, Nevada, and as we headed up to Donner Pass, police stopped everybody. It was snowing heavily, and we needed chains to proceed. We didn't have any, so we had to drive back to Reno in the middle of the night, buy the chains, drive back up, put the chains on, and proceed. I remember feeling glad that my almost-husband was calm, and 'not the swearing kind.'
                     
                         We finally made it to his home in Lodi, his worried mother was relieved to see us.

                     
            A day or two later was our wedding day. When we left for Oakland early in the morning, a few snow flakes were falling. (Very rare there.) They say snow on your wedding day will bring good luck.

            (...and we needed it. All we had to go on was commitment and hopeful hearts.  It's a miracle, considering how young and illprepared we were, and how different we are, that we were able to make it, and flourish.  It's a testament to the power of gospel teachings, and to God's help and grace.)
                       
                         

Happy Smiles

These gorgeous pictures just in from Zurich.