When I reviewed my favorite memories of our condo overlooking the Milwaukee River – moving water soothing– I realized that Teri’s aesthetics and ergonomics (kitchen) were fully realized, something you who visited well appreciated. Then, I realized that I had lived there longer by myself than with Teri – time slips away quietly and quickly.
In January I downsized to one room of furniture and one 10x10’ storage and am renting temporarily in Madison to be close to my best friend Steve and mentor/friend Memée and their extended families. A warm homecoming after 33 years away.
Over the past three years, a seasonal travel tempo has been established – so even while travelling 70% of the time, I am in a familiar and comforting rhythm. Winter relief is a tour abroad (Kenya/Tanzania/ Netherlands), followed by Asia Week in NYC plus another spring break (DC and Vancouver). May brings an annual reunion road trip through Iowa City (birthplace), Columbia MO, Lawrence KS (parents burial place). July-Oct in Vancouver are consumed by daily Chen Tai Chi study/practice. The fall season includes talks at the APAMSA and NASPGHAN conferences (+ Japan), an OSU football game (2 this year), a Tai Chi trip boot camp in Vancouver, topped off with Thanksgiving and Christmas alternating between Mendham and Denver. The consistent joys in these journeys are family, old and new friends, great food and conversations, and sightseeing (art).
Highlights? Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti with Steve’s extended family where we saw the free range Big 9 and learned abundantly about natural order, competition, evolution, survival, human incursion and the devastating effects of tropical infections and colonialism. Interesting fact, Indian Asians comprise 7% of Kenyans yet control 60% of the economy not unlike the Chinese diaspora throughout SE Asia. ‘Touching’ a Yuan Dynasty (1360s) Chao Mengfu painting in the Freer Gallery storage in DC about which father wrote a monograph. White water rafting/camping for 5 days on the last undammed, pristine Salmon River in ID with Rachel’s family as she described ‘seeing nature through an 8 and 6 year-old eyes’ and as John captured ‘completely unplugged and totally connected to family and nature’. And, little FLORA running and calling me Yeye (male-side grandpa).
Rachel, John, Jack and Naomi continue to prosper in Mendham NJ, Rachel cooking instructing and catering and has the most organized household. John is with a new generic pharma company and fortunately can work remotely. Jack is thoughtful, warm and math savvy whereas whereas Naomi is now a speedster and soccer savvy. Ben, Theresa, Flora (plus one coming) remain in Denver for another 1½ year, Ben completing his fellowship/master’s focusing on gun violence while Theresa works remotely at a Bay Area start-up. Flora is a truly Montessori 16 month-old who feeds herself with a fork, and is verbal, signing and exacting about what she wants (and does not).
I feel fortunate to continue rich cultural experiences through traveling, art museums and galleries, artists, art historians, curators, eclectic reading (new high of 60 books) and series (Bosch, Mrs. Maisel). I highly recommend Boon Joon Ho’s Parasite (Golden Globe foreign film winner) a complex comedy, thriller, tragedy and disquieting commentary on social inequity. I continue to transform my self through Tai Chi (new muscle memory, improved proprioception & BP control), intermittent fasting, increased plant protein/less animal protein, antioxidants and mitochondrial supplements. And I just began the ‘interesting’ process of internet dating after 45+ years.
May we all share a healthy and fulfilling 2020 despite our aches and pains and the inhospitable atmospheric and geopolitical climate. It is indeed wonderful to remain mobile in mind, body and of course bowels – my specific GI perspective.
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