THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR

We have not made many friends in the past four and a half years in Ann Arbor, but we have become close with one of our work colleagues, Dan, and his wife, Jane. We've had dinners at each others' homes and see each other on walks as they just live a few blocks away.

Recently, Jane recommend one of my favorite books that I read and reviewed here recently, Demon Copperhead. She leant me Kingsolver's earlier novel, the Poisonwood Bible, too. 

We both share a love for the outdoors, but we have not been to too many hiking spots since our move. Dan and Jane told us about one of their favorite spots, Kensington Park, and they even left a nice map of the park in our mailbox. Therefore, we decided to check it out this past weekend.

It was only about 20 minutes from our house, but it was a beautiful stroll around a large lake. We saw storks and a variety of other birds, and they even had a Nature Center, where one of the workers treated us to the daily feeding of a rescue bird who is recovering there. All in all, it was an excellent afternoon.

Afterwards, I was struck by how we never would have known about this park or Barbara Kingsolver, or so many things in Ann Abor were it not for Dan and Jane. That is what friends do. They enrich our lives, share parts of themselves with us, and make us better people. Grateful for them and so many of my friends who have made me who I am!

THE ZONE OF INTEREST

Yesterday, we watched the Zone of Interest, Jonathan Glazer's new film about the commandant of Auschwitz and his family who live next door to the death camp.

The film does not show a single image of the torture and devastation that take place in Auschwitz during 1943 when the film takes place. However, the sounds of the camps are inescapable, despite the characters' best efforts to ignore the horrors happening next door.

The film was understated, almost banal, and that was the point. So many soldiers, citizens, and other bystanders were witnesses to this shameful episode in world history, and I fear that we are seeing a repeat of this kind of devastation - and a blind eye to it - in Gaza.

I pray that we will learn the error of our ways and stop looking askance from the horrors men perpetrate other men before it is too late.

GROWTH MINDSET

We enjoyed Nicholas's visit home for spring break, but - once again - our time together went by way too fast.

I continue to be amazed by this young man, who has such an amazing head on his shoulders. He has navigated the first two-thirds of college without incident, and he has thrown himself into so many pursuits- his classes, home basketball games, the school radio station, the school television station, and the school newspaper. 

During his return home, I noticed a more mature, more thoughtful, and more grateful person than I had known before. More and more, I look to this young man as a guide for how to be and how to carry myself in this world.

I can't wait to see him again in May for a nice three month stretch. Until then, I will relish this past week and think about just how proud I am of my boy - correction- my young man!