A long ago birthday -

In 1922, Harry Francis Terrill wrote this letter to his son, Harry Porter Terrill, who was turning 6.  The poignancy of the letter is underscored when you realize that on August 12, 1925, Harry Francis died.

Not sure of the date on this family photo, but it was certainly only a year or two before HFT died.  Pop is the boy in the middle of the photo.

Today would be Pop's 98th birthday.  He is shown here with Helen, and his niece Sonny.

Pop was a fine man, and those of us who knew him miss him still.  And as more and more details in his life are made available to us, we love and understand him even more.

Family history - a treasure trove of memories - we should be sharing our memories of this fine man.

Happy Birthday Pop - and Happy Groundhog Day too!

Hallelujah!!

The Terrills are off for another grand night of singing along with the LA Master Chorale!!  Harry and I have attended The Messiah every year for 45 years now!!  It hasn't always been Sing Alongs - that started in 1979.  And some years we have a dinner beforehand, and some years we don't.  Some years we have more friends that family, and some years we have more family than friends.

But it's always a moving, uplifting experience. 

And a great way to start the season!!

I remember the first year Bruce went.  I asked him if he was familiar with it, and he said no, but that he was willing to become so.

And he certainly has.

"The glory, the glory of the Lord, is reveal-ed!!"

Listen closely - maybe the sound will waft across the continent to all of you!!

A little earthquake damage re-considered!

So, back in '91 or '92, there was an earthquake here in Monrovia.  I remember it vividly because Harry was off at Youth Conference and I was here alone with the kids.  And not just my kids, I had Joey and Sarah too!!

 

One of the casualties was this ceramic pitcher.  We had bought it years ago at an art show.  And it was a Terrill Family Treasure!!  It had survived multiple moves and many children in the house.

But the earthquake did the deed!

We were sorting the "room in the garage" tonight for FHE and came across the damaged pot.  Harry said, "I think maybe we just have to toss this.  But I really hate to."

So I said, "Take a picture of it."  So he did - and emailed it to me.  When I saw the first one, I said, "Did you Photoshop this?"  He said, "No, I just photographed it from the back."

Pretty clever indeed.

Raise your hand if you remember the ceramic pot - which sat for years on either a windowsill or the mantle.  Good memories.

Thank goodness earthquakes don't seem to have any effect on wooden bowls!!