Happy 77th to Dad

Tomorrow would have been Dad's 77th birthday. Tonight at midnight we will launch a website about him. It has been in the works for a long time. It will have information about his life and work, photos, videos, (Not yet but soon. I am working on it.) and most importantly, his writings.
I have mentioned before the eternal power of language. His powerful language is stronger than death, and I am grateful for the reminders of that. I hear regularly from people who have been and are impacted by his writings. That happened again this week. A dear friend called to tell me she was reading one of Dad's essays "Can Nations Love Their Enemies? An LDS Theology of Peace". She shared her appreciation for it and I felt the grace of this expression to me, especially this week. It was kind of like receiving a birthday present for Dad, but I get to enjoy it.
So I recommend you go to this link and get a taste of this wonderful man.
http://www.eugeneengland.org/
Now for the mushy gratitude part.
Thanks to Jordan, Mark, Elizabeth, Dan and Todd and all those who help with the technical and design aspects, and show great patience with this crazy family of mine.
Thanks to Rebecca, Jane, Jennifer, Mark and Katherine for sharing the journey of healing, mourning, celebrating and honoring this unusual and amazing father of ours.
Thanks to Charlotte, Anna and Joseph, and my nieces and nephews for all the reminders in your looks, your expression, your actions and passion for life that a bit of Dad continues on in you.
Thank you, Mom, for being his partner forever, helping make him who he is and being someone he loves beyond imagination.
Thank you, Michael, for being all that for me, and for honoring Dad.
Happy Birthday, Dad.

You Will Be Seeing Less of Me

Literally, you will be seeing less of me.
I have been losing weight. 24 pounds so far this year. I am aiming for 20 more pounds before the end of the year.
I won't go into the boring details of why or how. But I will say that despite vicious rumors, it is much less expensive to eat healthy, non-processed foods (translation: fresh fruits and vegetables, simple proteins) than it is to eat anything that requires an ingredient list.
I still love food. I am just creating different ways to enjoy it.
Weight and metabolism are such individual things. I have been resenting the way my metabolism has changed over the last 20 years. I finally decided to make peace.
I am feeling pretty good.
Let me just say, it is much easier to ride a tandem bike up a mountain now than it was last summer. I can only imagine how much easier it is for Mike.
I think I will ask him.
It is easier to do that now that there is less coming between us.