Happy Birthday Tyler on this Glorious Easter

Sunday, April 11th, 2004

Words for Today
"When we lose the right to be different, we lose the right to be free."
The words are those from Charles Evans Hughes, the U.S. supreme court justice chief justice who successfully fought F.D. Roosevelt's plan to pack the court. He was also governor of New York, and a secretary of state (Harding and Coolidge). His entire life was devoted to finding alternatives to violence and a road to peace during his more than eighty-two years of passage here in the middle world. At age six, Hughes became so bored with his public education that he submitted a plan for home schooling to his parents, which they accepted. We would do well to remember Hughes observation on this beauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuutiful Easter morn here in glorious Dakota - simply one of the best days to be alive I've seen in a good long while. Rosy-fingered dawn will come soon, the sun will shine, and 'twill be a day good fellowship, reflection, laughter, and music. 'Tis the holiest of days for Christians - we would do well to remember that those who believe that Jesus of Nazareth emerged from his tomb on this day, resurrected, are in a minority around the middle world - and that his story is but one way of looking at the prospect of eternity. I do indeed respect the deep faith of those reaffirming hope and renewal among the Christian community around the world. I loved sunrise services here at a local Lutheran Church - and singing in the choir - we always did the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah and at least two or three other songs of rejoicing for three services. But I never thought for a moment that we Lutherans had a corner on the one way to heaven. I will always recall, of course, the greeting and response for this day: "Christ is arisen" to which the greeted responds, "Arisen, indeed."

My good friend, Jane Ahlin, from over in Fargo sent along a great poem for this fine spring day from one of my current passionate preoccupations, the prose and poetry of Kentuckian Wendell Berry - 'may it be my greeting to you this fine day as well - "A Purification"

At the start of spring I open a trench
in the ground. I put into it
the winter's accumulation of paper,
pages I do not want to read
again, useless words, fragments,
errors. And I put into it
the contents of the outhouse:
light of the sun, growth of the ground,
finished with one of their journeys.
To the sky, to the wind, then,
and to the faithful trees, I confess
my sins: that I have not been happy
enough, considering my good luck;
have listened to too much noise;
have been inattentive to wonders;
have lusted after parise.
And then upon the gathered refuse
of mind and body, I close the trench,
folding shut again the dark,
the deathless earth. Beneath that seal
the old escapes into the new.

Today it is, at long last for my grandnephew, Tyler, at long last his fourth birthday - he's been marking the days of on the calendar for a good long while. Tyler, son of my lovin' spouse Leslie's niece Chrissy - daughter of my ever-lovely sister-in-law Delores Kubik Huss, is a miracle. Born prematurely, weighing but two pounds, four ounces, Tyler is a bright, wise-far-beyond-his years little guy who has completely won the full attention and adoration of Grandpa Wayne and Grandma Delores, who take care of him whilst their daughter works - and he's not in preschool. Allergic to most food as a babe, unable to digest much, he now skis on his own, spends countless hours (with Grandma Delores retrieving and setting it up) hitting a ball off a T (after he carefully spits before he swings each time), loves books, and loves to give advice to any and all on most any subject. Happy birthday, Tyler, happy, happy birthday. Keep a close eye on your mom and dad, Tim, grandpa and grandma, and Aunt Jenny - make 'em tow the line. Enjoy ruling that realm with your charm and intelligence, humor, and winsome ways as long as you possibly can. You deserve it, you spirited fellow who refused to allow physical problems to ever get you down. You inspire us all. Oh me or my, how time passes quickly - how well I remember visiting your home in north Denver when your mom was your age - and enjoying her lilting laughter and mischievous ways when she and her younger sister came to Dakota and Grandpa and Grandma Kubik's home in Dickinson at the edge of the glorious badlands - that's were Grandma Delores met your beloved Grandpa Wayne, who hails from Pennsylvania - he was working for Shell Oil during the great boom. I look forward to seeing you sometime soon, me laddie.

This glorious day on Arthur Drive - and yesterday, a day of feeling good - has been graced with the presence of Leslie's youngest sister, Janet - a nurse who changed the dressings around those tubes on my chest bypassing my bile ducts - she's one of my favorite people here in the middle world - maker of the those great blankies that have comforted me for a year or so. Here's a salute to you, Janet, dear heart. Later today, her children are likely to come visit - and just maybe, if I feel as good as I did yesterday and hope to repeat today - we'll all go along with lovin' spouse Leslie to see the movie The Alamo -- I could become accustomed to this life of Riley, especially on these days I feel so fine. Happy Easter, my kola - please do take care of yourselves - be a different as you wish - and look out for each other, especially those different from you.

Ev Albers