Hermione leaves for college in about a week. Oldest daughter leaving the nest. Big transition time. We've been doing special things together over the weekends this month in anticipation of her absence. The above photo is from a Japanese cultural festival in which paper lanterns that represent departing ancestors are launched across a big beautiful lake at dusk to enter 'the other world'. Well, she may not be an ancestor, but Hermione is on the family tree, and I couldn't help but think of my daughter's transition into independent living as the lanterns floated away with hundreds of others. The arc of her life, the transitory nature of all things, and what exactly is waiting on the other side.

Yeah, this is how my mind works. After awhile, we witnessed the most spectacular fireworks display I have ever seen in my life. We were so close to where they were being sent up and under the most sublime scenery. Utterly beautiful. How the fireworks followed the journey of the lanterns just made the show that much more special. What it said to me was:

all things must pass. celebrate this moment. enjoy the show.



This weekend.......

live jazz trio.