HighHolidays

My ‘Jerusalem Journey’ continues as I work on projects, enjoy cooler weather, meet new friends,
and prepare for my birthday, which will be followed by Rosh Hashanah and the subsequent High
Holidays. And although I left my children thousands of miles behind me when I came to Israel, they
included me (by phone, which was passed around the table) in a big Pacific Symphony bash on
Friday, September 15. It really wasn’t a celebration of Colin’s 25th birthday (September 17th), but
he and Elizabeth, Dylan, the Ahmansons and other friends had a spectacular night on the town
anyway. I’ll leave the rest of the story for them to tell…

...It was a grand night indeed. Elizabeth started the night off right by letting me (Colin) open one of
my birthday presents. It was a brilliant gift: a black, pinstriped Fedora hat that was immediately
called into action as a suave accessory to my rented tuxedo. I sauntered out the door with the
bravado of a man who has a gorgeous girl in his arm and a smart hat on his head, only to be quickly
humbled by the sight of my less-than-luxurious Scion Xb. It was a good thing, however, to be
brought down to Earth, at least momentarily, before being swept away by the enthralling opulence
of the Opening Gala for the new Segerstrom Hall in Orange County.

Upon arriving on the red carpet, Elizabeth and I began our slow promenade toward the beautiful
new edifice between opposing walls of media photographers. As we mumbled impressions to each
other through fake, self-conscious smiles, my phone rang. I flipped open my Samsung cell-phone and
brought it to my ear with a sparkling smile, imagining that my agent was offering me work as the
next James Bond, but in reality it was my brother Dylan (Lela's other son) who was telling me to
watch for his dilapidated Toyota Tacoma in the line of Bentleys and Rolls Royce's. He wanted to
make sure I was there when he got out so that I could tighten the bow tie to his rented tuxedo, which
of course was identical to mine. It was another valuable reminder of our true ordinariness before we
lost ourselves in the dazzling festivities awaiting us ahead.

Before long, we met up with our good friends, Howard, Roberta, and David Ahmanson. It was nice
to see some normal, comfortable friends with whom we could share the unforgettable experience.
After a chime rang and male models in red uniforms ushered us all into the building, we got our first
glimpse of its splendor. Magnificent waves of crimson and gold gave the interior an organic beauty.
At our seats, we met with some other friends, the Belchers and Bjorkmans, who would join us for
dinner a few hours later.

The program for the night entailed an inaugural musical performance, a fireworks show, and finally
dinner and dancing in what looked rather like an enormous greenhouse. It was all wonderful. There
are endless details that must be left out for the sake of webspace, but the main point is that is was a
thoroughly enjoyable night, in the most extravagant sense possible. As my mom mentioned, we gave
her a call from dinner. The night felt incomplete without her presence, so each of us had to at least
hear her voice for a few minutes.

That party was a week ago tonight, and this Friday night, Mom is on our minds more than ever. It is
her birthday today, and we all wish we could be out there in armageddon celebrating with her.

We all miss you dearly, but at the same time we know that you are exactly where you are supposed
to be. Here's to you, mom, for being the extraordinary human being that you are. Cheers!