Explorations, Flicks 'n Prayers

February 17th & 18th – Huntsville, AL

Tuesday
Tuesday's daylight hours were downtime for most everyone. We idled through breakfast, morning, lunch and the early afternoon. Mom & Dad started to prepare for a Thursday departure (of which the folks advised our wonderful hosts at lunch), while Janet prepared for the house for the arrival of their Bible study group and Abe barbeque chicken for the evening feast. (Right, 5 thrusters each over 10 feet across, capable of a combined force of 7.5 million pounds of thrust.)





I, on the other hand, tinkered with this blog, assessed and tweaked photos, drafted text, and accepted an offer from cousin, Darren, to help do away with some Persian leftovers and to watch a Kurosawa film. (Mom at the controls of a Shuttlecraft landing simulator.)

Ruhi's Persian delicacies were wonderful again, and the movie, "High and Low," was a completing engaging black & white treat. It was doubly satisfying to learn that two cousins with very little contact over nearly five decades should have a number of interests – movies, music and spirituality among them – in common. Darren had clearly made a study of Kurosawa's work, while I tend to be quixotic in my movie selections. That said, I was delighted to have him introduce me to another aspect of Kurosawa's work of which I knew nothing.

Back at Janet & Abe's house, Mom & Dad really enjoyed their immersion into a completely new group. They had a great time, and commented that all of Janet & Abe's friends in this group extended great hospitality and exuberance.

Wednesday
Last full day in Huntsville. The five of us headed for the U.S. Space and Rocket Center well before lunch. Mom & Dad got a close-up look at the artifacts of an era that, in so many ways, seems already so far away. Was it all staged in a Nevada desert site after all?? Nah, of course not, and the shear immensity of the hardware was most impressive.

On returning to Abe & Janet's, Darren called again with a double invitation: to join the Huntsville B'hai community at his house for a prayer gathering in support of the seven now under arrest in Iran, and to watch another movie.

It was a rare opportunity to share in the concerns of another community, and even more gripping in that two of the detained individuals are friends of Ruhi's.

Darren had selected "Memento" for this viewing. This Christopher Nolan film's subject had an eerie effect, as my memory is flawed as well. As the film unwound – or, more accurately, rewound – my tension rose dramatically. This film will get a number more viewings, Darren. Thanks. And, if you have the chance, check out Tykwer's "Winter Sleepers" and Susanne Bier's "After the Wedding" as examples of movies that have resonated for me.

Back at Abe & Janet's, the folks were watching a couple of movies with their hosts as well. Two homes, four films, many prayers for a better world, and food to nourish the body. One extended family growing in understanding. The end of a visit. The anticipation of the next. Midnight. Time for rest.