The focus of our holiday celebrations was the 70th anniversary party for Clara and Hal, Roger’s parents. They are grateful for the blessings of sharing life for such a long time, for health, for each other. We have much to learn from them, and as a family we will be sharing those lessons in my Speaking column for Exchange magazine, March. One special evening when all was quiet and calm, we asked them about what they wanted to teach us. It was an intimate evening of reflective conversation and sharp wit. I could wish to have such an evening when Roger and I celebrate 70 years.

Yesterday we celebrated the upcoming holidays with a staff glass blowing class. Everyone had a turn holding the rod in the oven, turning, adding color, shaping, blowing. And everyone made a glass float or ornament. We were all nervous–this was new to everyone. I mean there was fire and sharp tools and risk. The perfectionists among us couldn’t imagine success. And there was some anxiety about the responsibility of blowing shape into another person’s creation. But with an enthusiastic and practiced teacher, who obviously enjoyed our excitement and our distress, and who was confident about positive outcomes–we left feeling pretty proud of ourselves. It’s a good way to leave our work here at Exchange and the World Forum for a few days, to immerse ourselves in family time and adventures. And a good team experience and memory to bring with us into the new year.

Roger and I are going to Fargo to help his parents celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary at ages 93 and 95. They have supported us in our work and been great cheerleaders. They love mail, so, if you would like to send them a card:

Clara and Hal Neugebauer
225 13th Avenue West, Apartment 2029
West Fargo, ND 58078

It was really quite simple. Christmas carols, a lamp lighting ceremony, a story, a speech. We joined residents and tourists in our favorite town on the Oregon coast, Cannon Beach, for a holiday tradition. And it felt intimate and wonderful. The fragile aging lamplighter (appropriately dressed in red and green plaid) was there to cheer the children now carrying on his tradition and to receive the love and attention of his community. Stories were told of families and rituals. Strangers, we were included, whether we knew the words to the carols or not. Community, welcome, tradition — shared and received.

I am thankful for surprises–good ones, serendipitous moments that wake me up and bring joy. Driving from Portland to Cannon Beach, there is a rather large wooden sign just on the edge of a little town called Manning that says: Wright Pottery. We decided to turn in on a beautiful fall afternoon last week and check it out. A curvy road takes you up a hill and into a driveway. One man sits in a comfy chair outside a workshop of some sort–and continues to silently sit. Another comes out of a house. We ask about pottery. “Nope, we don’t make pottery here. Go up to the house and knock. See what Rob has to say. Maybe he knows something.” We knock, looking at each other with some trepidation. “Come in (said through the door).” “But you don’t know us.” Finally, a very elderly man opens the door. This is Rob. He is 95. He used to fire pottery with his artist wife, Pearl, who gives us a wave from within, but no more. “I’m old,” he says. “We’re 95 and can’t do that work anymore.” Somehow we pass muster and are invited inside. It’s beautiful. Wood burning stove makes it toasty. Pearl sits with a blanket in her lap and joins in the conversation. It feels like a cabin, only much larger, with wood beams and bare walls with art and pottery everywhere. All kinds. A huge painting by Pearl dominates the room. And all of it frames a picture window overlooking the forest below, fall color, crisp air, greens, golds. We enjoy the pottery and the whole of it and talk about the ten kilns Rob built and collecting pottery and getting old. It’s just a very precious moment out of time.

Kishor Shrestha, Agatha Thapa, Lily Wong

Mukunda Prakash Kshetree, Dhirendra Lamsal, Roger, Karma Gayleg

Global Leaders Asia Pacific — Nanditha Hettitantri, Sheldon Schaeffer (Regional Coordinator), Joan Lombardi (Founder), Roger, Kelly Hor, Karma Gayleg, Esther Ho, Mukunda Kshetree

Roger just returned from meetings in Singapore—the Consultative Group and ARNEC—where he spent time focusing on global issues around children with World Forum friends who were in Honolulu and some we haven’t seen for a while. I was delighted to hear bits of news, although I must say he doesn’t always gather the same information that I might! Then he flew to Shanghai where he was given the celebrity tour of early childhood programs and engaged in intense meetings about professional development and learning about and comparing opinions about child care in China and the United States. His hosts were incredibly thoughtful and thorough. They ruined him. He now waits for me to open doors, pick up things, never reaches for his wallet, and awaits meal service! Representing the World Forum community around the world is such an amazing opportunity for us to learn and connect.