Randy Bayne, of California Notes, and me at lunch with the relatives. Saturday, Sept. 22, Alameda, Ca. We are second cousins, and share two great-grandparents.
My parents hosted a family reunion this past week for my mother's siblings. The Bayne cousins of California also showed up, as well as some Bentleys from Los Angeles. My father insisted that he wanted to do this party, despite his illness, so we did.
On Friday night, Karen Bentley and Ian Dogole performed in honor of Dad and Aunt Susan. Dad read poetry to improvised music. Dad has performed with Karen and Ian several times over the years, and we are so grateful he got to do this for an audience of about fifty friends and relations. It was an exhilarating night.
Khalil reads Dad a "jazz poem" he wrote in his honor.
At a restaurant the next day, Dad writes a poem on a paper menu - the classic Elias gesture, a poem composed on a napkin, styrofoam cup, or menu, in the middle of a party (or anywhere).
If you are a friend or family member and care to see more pictures, email me for the flickr link. (Or be crafty and google it). I am sorry to tell you that Dad is not doing all that well. Thank you everyone for all your kind messages.
A pleasure and an honor to join you and your family for the wonderful celebration last Friday! Karen and Ian's music transported us, and your father's poetry touched deeply. He read one of my favorites, about the rose. Would you post it to your blog?
Posted by: Donna Baranski-Walker | September 25, 2006 at 07:09 AM