Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away, I sucked at math.
My Dad felt that this was unacceptable and the school I was going to didn’t have the academic strength to correct it, so he made math sheets for me. We then did timed drills, noting time on the sheet and doing further drills on the ones I missed, until I didn’t miss them anymore.
This was not a smooth process, by any means, but in the end, I learned what I needed to know. Dad has long since passed away but I have the original math sheets still. I’ve passed on copies of these math sheets onto others who needed them, and am doing this again for my Cousin/Niece to help her master the basics.
I think my Dad would be utterly thrilled at this turn of events. I can see the echo cascading forward so clearly, with the family resemblance that is truly astonishing at times. I’m also now remembering more of that time of my childhood, as I search my memory for how to do this for somebody else.
I still sorta suck at math, but at least I’m sucking at trig, instead of basic arithmetic. Thanks Dad.
We had a little shindig at our house, the first real party since the renovation, and it sure went well!
All the Northern CA Bryons made it, all my cousins and most of their kids and husbands even! Lois kicked butt and with little to no help from her husband, put out an amazing spread for brunch. Said husband managed to be of some use in other areas, but was also recovering from the “deathstar trench” he had to dig for electrical conduit, partially under the house. Best thing about that: it’s done.
Back to happier topics, entertainment was provided by the “under 10yrs Production company”, which included a never-to-be-forgotten rendition of “Tomorrow” among others(by a 3yr old with curly hair no less!). Fortunately captured for all time on video, for blackmail when they’re all older and dating.
We managed to not have any casualties, always a plus, and everybody had a great time! Mom and Papa met them all for the first time, and that went better than my wildest dreams.
We’re looking forward to doing it again, repeatedly, and becoming even more family in truth as well as name.
So, 3 days in, 2012 is starting out better than 2011 did. (Although 2011 improved right around May 25th, when I started meeting my cousins for the first time!)
