Time Experience Thoughts

Rol Allen, 1919 ~ 2005 Eternal Nature * About one hundred fifty years ago, the poet William Wordsworth began writing one of his most inspiring and insightful pieces on what he deemed a crucial idea: that of man’s eternal nature; not only that we all would continue to live on after death, but that we, each of us, came from somewhere before we were born. AND that knowing where we came from, and who we were then and who we really are now, at our very core, makes a big difference. He got the poem to a certain point, setting the stage for illustrating his main idea, but then laid it aside for a year and a half while he continued pondering the subject. He came back to it and penned these words: Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting: The Soul that rises with us (our life's Star) Hath had elsewhere its setting, And cometh from afar: Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God, who is our home: Character John Roland Allen - “...

(Links of Love in a Chain of Remembering) Looking back with love, and sweet peaceful longing, Into the long ago past, We discover anew what he did and what he saw -- And what will last. And "what will last" are gentle thoughts and warm feelings, Of all that he loved; Links that connect us all in a 'chain of remembering' - Of those that have gone 'back home' above. Grandfathers long gone, and new ones becoming, may not have met Here on this earth, But will meet once again one day in the distant future -- in a glorious reunion And look back on our birth. We'll get to know each other once again, and muse about the trials and struggles We faced. Father and son and son; we'll look back and speak of what we learned In this place. That dealing with all the struggles and all the trials and the pain And yes, some loneliness, Makes the deep burning reunion All the more glorious. Dads introducing their Sons to their Fathers that have helped to make them What they...

Mountain ridges Stretch out, one after another -- As far as the eye can see -- into the distance. Each one fades into lighter Shades of blue. Gentle valleys And pleasant meadows dot this frail existence. Every moment of rest, amidst pains, Hints at ancient memories We once knew. Walking on -- And pushing through this desert of resistance -- Each new turn of the path is entwining hearts, that Used to be two. Standing On the precipice of now*, You are at the center of my experience, Every act of love you create is echoing back -- magnified -- Inside of you. Mirrored eternities, Past and future, are -- with your careful assistance -- Each reflections of glories gone by And even greater glories gradually Coming into view. The azure ocean horizon Becomes a turquoise sky, And with the sunset's growing brilliance, Every dream of yours Is granted in beauty and grace, and all becomes whole And true. * or, Forever Scott Vanatter, 21 July 2004 (Poem for Becky's 50th Birthday)

Tight end #87 for Citrus College, the 1972 Mission Conference Co-Champions. We had, what turned out to be, one of the junior college All-American running backs that year on our team. Kenny Williams. We/he set team and individual season and game rushing records that stood for over 30 years. Kenny set the junior college record (1,850 yards) during the same season that OJ set the pro record (over 2,000 yards). We had a much shorter season than the pros. (1972)

My '55 Chevy. (1972)

A piece of my beloved '55 Chevy that broke off of the left rear quarter wheel well -- after, uh, a minor fender bender. (1972)

At the Duarte High School Senior Prom, on the Queen Mary. (1972)