Four Fifths for Bruce

"Huh," Mom said a couple of mornings ago when I greeted her. I talked further and she continued not to hear me. So I had to admit to myself that I waited just a tad too long to have her ears cleaned out. So we went to fix the problem with the ear doctor she loves. He grew up in Cedaredge. Imagine the magic of meeting someone from Cedaredge right here in Pleasanton. I'll bet he is the only one in the whole city who even knows there is such a place. And he happens to be Mom's doctor.

Last week son Gerald (from Taiwan) called to say that he and the family were coming for a visit. I love having time with Gerald. He and I are kindred spirits. We have similar interests and seem to be able to share ideas and thoughts with clear understanding. But there isn't much opportunity to spend time at this. So I felt very excited to have them come. They arrived as planned Wednesday of last week. They pretty much slept for two days. Well, Ger and Fran did. The kids ran around and played right from the start.

Having Gerald and Frances here necessitated some local family get-togethers so we enjoyed the whole gang for several days. It was a wild, but fun ride. I'm happy that everyone enjoys spending time together. I talked Ger and Fran into staying through the weekend because, as luck would have it, it was the very Sunday that Reed and Dorothy had chosen to bless their new little son, Bruce. Ben and some of his kids spent Saturday night with us, so Sunday morning we all headed for Brentwood and the local chapel there. It was magical to see all three of my sons and my son-in-law bless little Bruce. Four-fifths of my boys for Bruce! Grandson Scott was the organist and grandsons James and Isaiah helped pass the sacrament. Everywhere I looked there was a Galbraith doing something! What sweet pleasure. Our whole clan was there except Chris and Jes. I long for the time when all of us are united, in space and faith. I really miss my Gendreau kids.

There is a very sweet Arabic woman of my acquaintance who spends her days writing books. She has used me, and especially Audrey to help her edit them. We have both decided not to do it anymore as she has a way of very sweetly leading us into spending days and days at the job with no end in sight and no offer of compensation. She takes a seductive approach by asking for far less than she really wants. Her requests began with me but are aimed at Audrey now. Shortly before Ger and Fran's visit she began calling me. After 20 or so repeated calls I reluctantly called her back. "How are you, dear," she said in a friendly voice. "I would love to come and show you my latest book." Hum. What could I say? We set a date. She came. I looked at her books, including the new one in draft form. "Is Audrey around? I want her to see the book too," she said gently. I called Audrey, who reluctantly came up. Lovely. Sweet conversation. Then it began. "Audrey, can you take a minute and look at my chapter introductions?" she sweetly said. "I have 20 minutes. I'll do all I can in that time," Audrey responded. And she did. "Can I make a date with you to look at just a little more?" she asked Audrey. Trapped, Audrey agreed to a time that turned out to be in the middle of Ger and Fran's visit. Our lady came again and they worked on our dining room table for several hours. I felt so guilty for getting Audrey into that trap once again. So, finally, I confronted our lady. "You have seduced Audrey into far more than you initially asked for," I told her. "That is not fair." She flushed and apologized. I talked with her further about the unfairness of her expectations. I guess I'm including this here because I hate confrontations and usually evade them at all costs. So this was a biggie for me. Audrey was warmed and our lady was cooled by my efforts. But I felt it had to be done. We'll see what the long-range effect will be.

Ger and Fran left for Salt Lake on Monday morning. They will be there for a couple of weeks, then return for a few days more with us, then head home. It is always a comfort to me to see them in the flesh. When they are in Taiwan I hear so little from them. I sometimes worry about Frances, as she is so devoted to her work. But she is as sweet as ever. The kids spend just about all of their waking hours on school work when they are home. But when they are here they can play. Well, they can play once they spend a few hours on homework each day. So, of course, they love coming to the U.S. According to Ger, there is little time for family life in Taiwan. Most people spend their time working or being in school. So there is little bonding time. Most don't spend much time talking to one another and there is a sense that, once married, no more effort needs to be made at a married relationship. Ger and Fran are working at changing that tradition in their marriage. I think Gerald is doing the bulk of the work at that, at present. Frances is a very good-hearted person and seems to be responding to Gerald's efforts. I like her very much.

Is there ever an end to worry about our kids? It seems that each of my families offers me a potential concern. But, since there is little I can personally do about any of it, I work to cast it out of my mind. I am trying to simply love and support them the best I can.

Pictures: Top two are of Gerald playing with Ben and Jessica's children, Abigail and William. Gerald is a kid magnet. Next are granddaughters Angelica (Ger and Fran) and Allegra (Audrey and Cliff). Bottom shows Ben and Jessica's son Zachary (at bottom) with Ger and Fran's Angelica and Seth (who hates to have his picture taken).