... ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.
John F. Kennedy.
Thank you America for giving us an opportunity to raise our children in the care and safety of this land. Thank you America for allowing us to work towards being all that we can be. Thank you America for the brave men and women who continue to fight for the privilege of being free. God Bless America!
My oldest grandson, Ford Croft, age 16 just pitched a complete game against one of the best teams in the country, the East Cobb Royals, and beat them 13-3. Scouts were there to see the opposing pitcher. They were watching the wrong one! The game was part of a tournament played at Birmingham-Southern. I am very proud!
We all can sort of visualize and feel the thrill of hitting a triple, getting someone out at third base, catching a grounder or sliding into home plate at the last second. We can burst with pride when our swimmers pull with all their might to tag the next relay teammate to win a race or see the collection of ribbons declaring ever improving time scores with increasing laps. We can understand with amazement the strength, concentration, determination of our champion rock climber, our golfer, our cheerleader and most of all our scholars...but unless you see the production it is hard to imagine the overwhelming delight of young people, singing, acting and telling a story on stage that moves you to tears.
This happened to me last night when Grandad and I went to see Andrew perform in The Red Phoenix Theatre Company's production of Les Miserables.
I knew little about the famous play. I knew some of the story, had seen bits of the play on television, but never really understood all of what was going on. I knew it was, for the most part, difficult singing, a long show and I anticipated it being even harder to appreciate because junior high and high school students were performing it.
Well, like Susan Boyle's 2009 audition on Britain's Got Talent when she sang Les Mierables', I Dreamed A Dream...I was blown away! I was excited to see Andrew sing with such sincerity and passion, to watch him take on characters so unlike himself, convincing us that he was brutal, a drunken womanizer, a brave but frightened soldier and then a dead one. His choral work has really paid off this year, as he took on the challenge of making his part hold up to the standards of the lead players. Again, I was blown away!
This truly gives you a flavor of what we saw last night, just on a smaller scale...
Andrew has two shows today in which so much energy will be shared and burned for a sold out theatre. Break a Leg, Andrew, to you and the rest of the cast. Thank you for sharing your remarkable gifts.
Kudos to Ford! This past weekend he found out that he wowed 'em on his SAT exam and he also performed super well on the baseball field! Nothing like a successful weekend!
Happy Birthday, Simon! Wish I could make you a cake and help you blow out the candles. May all your wishes come true.
Joe and Mike won the Druid Hills, Father/Son , Father's Day Golf Tournament.
Congratulations Guys!!!
Keegan has a gift and is using it in a kindergarten preparedness program this summer! The 4 and 5 years olds attend school from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. where Keegan was carefully selected as a student volunteer and acts as a teacher's aide in the classroom. From the head of the program; his praises are being sung for the excellent job he is doing! After class he then heads to the baseball field for All Stars practice every day from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Keep up the good work Keegs, we're proud of you!
Andrew (seen here in the stage production of OKLAHOMA) is in rehearsals with the Red Phoenix Theatre Company, getting ready to present LES MISERABLES on June 29th and 30th, at the 14th Street Playhouse in Atlanta! Break-a-leg, Andrew!
Send me your news of swim meets, rock climbing, baseball, camps and exciting adventures so we can all enjoy what you are doing. I hope everyone is getting excited about our GRAYTON trip coming up soon!
Friday, June 15, 2012
With Love and Gratitude,
Mimi
(...and special heartfelt thoughts for LOP from Merry)
In a birthday wish, my sister reminded me to count the pennies, a ritual my grandmother used in her primary Sunday School class when a child had a birthday. From the "birthday chair" we counted our age out in pennies then gave the treasure as a love offering when the plate was passed. Last night, from my chair of honor at the head of the table, I counted my blessings. They were many. For those near and far, thank you for making my life so very special. Thank you for coming to celebrate me. Thank you for your gifts, cards, phone calls, e-mails and video chats. You made it great to be 65! (That and my first check from Social Security.)
Brad Houck and Mike Regas are pleased to announce the formation of Houck | Regas LLC, a trial firm dedicated to representing clients in personal injury and wrongful death matters involving automobile and trucking accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, and defective products. Their office remains at 2 Ravinia Drive, Suite 1020, Atlanta, Georgia 30346, (770) 392-6080.
Mom and I are gratefully celebrating our 65th and 85th birthdays the 9th and 13th of June! (There is a party in my heart and head for all these things!)
There is much to be said for being taught by teachers who have high
expectations of their students' ability to learn. There is much to be
said for the opportunity to learn from teachers who have
achieved excellence in their fields. There is much to be said
for doing your best when the best is made available to you. This may have
required extreme effort and expense, but there is really something good to
be said about the results.
I have just spent the weekend with the 1962 men of Yale; and from
my view point, although they were very privileged, they have given back over
the years, far more than they have taken.
I am grateful for the opportunity, through my Yale Man, to have
been welcomed into the inner circle.
.
Join me for a look back at our weekend, lunches and dinners under
the big tent in Davenport quad, faces of old friends, walks around campus while
going back and forth to lectures, musical reviews
(featuring reunion Whiffenpoofs from years gone by), museums and other
activities of Terr's 50th 1962 Yale Reunion!
The number one song in of June of 1962 was, I Can't Stop Loving You,
by Ray Charles.
"After many months of searching, Tom has accepted the position of Director of Creative Services at In Touch Ministries. He starts tomorrow and looks forward to the opportunity it may provide him to author his own chapter."
To you both, we wish much success and satisfaction in your work. We are proud of your efforts and all the things you have accomplished to get to this point in your careers. Congratulations!
I am forever grateful and humbled at my good fortune. "HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!"
For the fine grown-up children who call me Mother, there are no words that can tell you of my love and devotion. I sing your praises for continuing the tradition of a strong family.
Sunday, May 06, 2012
Issy fractured her humerus (which isn't so humorous!) during competition in Orlando, FL.
Didn't stop her and her team mates from winning 1st place in the cheer leading championship though!
I am told she is healing nicely and will be back doing flips in a short three weeks!
TA DA! Morgan wins the leadership award for her Urban Core Climbing Team!!!
That is awesome, Morgan!
Congratulations!!!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Speaking of stepping up to the plate..."Keegan was playing catcher (for the second time) and had to give up the plate since the ball hadn’t come his way yet. He’s got some springs on those feet!" kcp
Thanks to Kristin for being my California correspondent! Great camera work!
For many years, Kim has had a client who chairs the youth division of UNICEF. Over those years this client has had the privilege of getting to know our Andrew, Emily and William, so when this years youth ambassador board was being selected she invited the two older children to be a part of it. They have been attending meetings and learning about UNICEF since January.
This past weekend was their big Gala/Fund raiser where all three of the children participated, at different stations, passionately informing contributors about what their donations will do for children in need.
"To those much is given, much is expected." Better Ambassadors UNICEF could have not had! Great job, kids, for stepping up to the plate!
Emily, youth board ambassador, explained to guests how important water is to children living in Africa.
Andrew teaches a little girl the importance of the 'school in a box' that UNICEF provides to African villages.
I am not clear where William's station was but for this rising youth ambassador, I think he very much liked the food table and was excused from his post to frequent it... but hey, all work and no play!
I'm told it was a special night for all involved AND for the very proud parents...
Now, how can I give a little fresh water and one of those school boxes?...
Talking to self..."Let's see, where you are, is it your birthday yet? Hummm, 8:43 a.m. here means, 9:43 p.m. tonight, your time...darn, not yet, not yet...but I want you to go to bed excited to wake up in the morning on your birthday! (Oh, Merry, she is 28, not 8!) But what if she doesn't open Chatterbox at all...I need to give her time...others time to leave a greeting! That does it, I'm publishing!!!"
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATE!
No matter where you are in this world we will be singing our happiness for the day you were born on April 28, 1984. Dad and I hope your day is filled with special surprises from Simon, new friends to sing to you and food that isn't moving! So, saengil chukha hamnida, dear Kate, Happy Birthday to you...
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