Preparing their life resumès... Part I

It's that time of year again. The time I like to catch up with the lives of my seven grandchildren. Sometimes it's hard to pin them or their parents down to get the real "scoop", but for the time being I have a little news I've put together.

First on the list of achievements so far this year is my oldest granddaughter Audrey, who recently received her Master in Environmental Management (MEM) / Ecosystem Science and Conservation at Duke University/Nicholas School of the Environment. She has accepted a summer job at the Nicholas Institute of Environmental Policy Solutions. This Institute is part of Duke, but it's a professional organization. Her mother Carajean, and other grandmother, Two, were there for the graduation exercises. A day or two later, Audrey and her mom left just as Tropical Storm Ana was reaching the east coast of North Carolina, causing their flight to be canceled. Audrey's graduation gift was a trip to Vancouver, British Columbia, where she and her mom were to go hiking, kayaking, and river rafting. After one flight being canceled, and another delayed while waiting on food to be delivered to the airplane, I am assuming that they finally made it to Vancouver. I spoke with Carajean on Mother's Day night as they were driving to catch a flight out of Charlotte. They should be getting home to Texas soon, and hopefully have lots of wonderful photos to share with me.

Audrey's younger sister, Ashlyn, just finished her freshman year at Oklahoma State University. Earlier this semester her mother wrote me that Ash had scored 98 on a chemistry exam! Following in her big sister's footsteps must have been difficult for her, as Audrey was Valedictorian at the Academy they as well as younger brother Tanner attended. I think middle children often have difficulty finding their "place" in the world. Ashlyn seemed surprised, and more than a little pleased with herself when she discovered her grade point average for the year was 4.0. I am not surprised at all, my dear granddaughter.

Carajean's son - our 16-year-old, aspiring tennis champ, Tanner, has had a busy year as well as his older sisters. I haven't heard what his final grades were, but he has maintained a straight A average throughout his school years. I have no reason to believe this year will be any different. Grades aside, two things stand out in his young life so far this year -- he finally got those braces off! And last I heard he was taking his girlfriend Emily to the Prom this month. (I am hoping his mom sends photos when she returns from Vancouver.) Tanner is going to attend college preparatory courses at a school "back east" this summer. Another question I have for his mother! Which school?

From the looks of these worn-out tennis shoes, Tanner played a whole lot of tennis tournaments all year. I believe this photo was sent to me in February, surely by now he has bought a new pair.

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My oldest grandchild, Cameron, visited me on Mother's Day, and we tried to catch up on all his activities. As I've mentioned in the past, Cameron is a 2013 graduate of LSU and currently Director of Lifespan Religious Education at the Westside Unitarian Universalist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. He, like his dad, Craig, is also interested in politics, having done a lot of volunteer campaigning for politicians when he was in high school. Back in February, he ran into Wendy Davis at his favorite coffee shop in Fort Worth, where apparently lots of

interesting folks hang out from time to time. Recently he was elected to be "Young Adult Co-Facilitator" at the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly later this year to be held in Portland, Oregon. He will retain that position for the next three years, and feels it is a great honor - as does this proud grandmother. Cameron is also starting to give voice lessons in his spare time.

Cameron's younger sister, Hannah, who auditioned for and was accepted into the Booker T. Washington Performing Arts High School in Dallas last year, has finished her first year there. This school is well known throughout the U.S., and is difficult to get into. Cameron graduated from there as did some of the well known performers in music, the theater, and the arts. Norah Jones and Patti LaBelle are two of its alumni. Hannah is another one of my high-achieving grandchildren, having made straight As most of her school years. She has been in advanced placement classes at Booker T, maintaining her A average, and recently told her dad that, even though she loved acting, she thought she just might like to be an attorney some day. I hope he reminded her that there were many flamboyant lawyers throughout history who could be considered "actors"! That way she can enjoy both her talents. When I realized I didn't have a recent photo, I texted Hannah to send me one - a selfie would do. She just sent this one. She has a good sense of humor like her dad and brother!

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I have my younger two grandchildren, Travis and Kelly, as well as the newest members of my daughter's family, Bruce and Annie, to speak of in Part II. All of them are doing pretty special things as well..

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There have been so many tragedies happening in the world lately, the latest being the horrific train wreck in Philadelphia. The loss of life and terrible injuries have to be extremely hard on loved ones. 

The second earthquake in Nepal is very difficult to fathom. Rarely does a strong earthquake follow so quickly on the heels of a big one -- aftershocks are not usually as strong as the original quake. I feel so fortunate to live in a part of the world that doesn't live under the threat of anything so deadly. Some might argue with me due to the threat of tornadoes we've been under this spring. And friends of mine who live in areas where "fracking" by the big oil companies is causing minor earthquakes would beg to differ as well. One friend outside Oklahoma City said they had 18 "minor" earthquakes in one 24-hour period recently. That area is much too near the New Madrid Fault Line. In the 1800s, there was a strong earthquake that decimated many towns up and down the fault. Could it happen again? And how do our citizens in California live with the fact that the "big one" will someday occur along the San Andreas fault?

There are so many good people and organizations rallying to support the victims of these incidents. To hear that one of the U.S. relief helicopters is still missing somewhere in the mountainous region of Nepal is saddening. 

Prayers are needed for all of the people who have lost loved ones in both of these disasters, the ones who are struggling to survive in the aftermath of the earthquakes, and for the discovery of the missing helicopter. May it only be down in an area that communication is impossible due to the mountainous terrain, and all of the men aboard surviving in good condition. While we're at it, thank God for all of the wonderful first responders and relief workers who rush to any disaster -- here and abroad. The Red Cross and the Salvation Army surely deserve our gratitude - and our donations.

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I just received a text message from my daughter Carajean. She said they finally made it safely to Vancouver, and are having a great time. They will be heading home to Amarillo on Tuesday. I'll bet the rest of the family misses them. 

May all of your loved ones be safe and happy in these tumultuous times.

Peace and love,

Marilyn