The Important stuff
 

Evren, Ruki, and three of their children were here for a couple of days. Oh, do they ever grow fast. Two sisters ages 12 & 14...they are probably already breaking hearts. Son, just turned 11 crazy smart. Evren & I discussing the plummet of the Turkish Lira, the screw up of the world wide central banks...when I mentioned the USA national debt, this kid referenced it with the percentage of the GDP. Uh, how many USA 11 year olds even know what GDP means?

Anyway, the important stuff. Evren, his son and I went for a Mustang run. No, nothing frisky with a little guy aboard...other than one short burst Evren made in a low traffic straight in order to feel a bit of V-8 torque. But that's not the important stuff.

We were on River road here...once to a park, a sandy beach stretch along the river.
There, the 11 year old promptly began hunting flat stones and skipping them across the water, explaining the stones needed and the throwing technique (It's all in the wrist) To Evren and I. We spent at least an hour.

So gentlemen, that is the important stuff. As long as young boys enjoy skipping stones across flat water...all's okay in the world. World finance, cars, and other stuff are secondary. These are the moments that matter.

Pics or it didn't happen.

Glad to hear young Evren and his family are doing well.

Yes Sir...they grow up fast. Enjoy as much of it as you can.

Well done, Paul.

Of all the cool things I have been able to do, raising two really fine humans with my wife is the thing I am most proud of.

Falling in love, having children is easy: Raising them, on the other hand...

Families in Europe raise their children right. Out for walks in the evening. Serious about education. Children sit around and respectfully listen in to adult conversations......Heartwarming to see.

Well, I have pics only in my old memory bank. Evren & Ruki did use their cell phone cameras...I'll try to remember to ask for some. Right now, they are on their way to Montana where oldest daughter Selma is working on a horse ranch, considering a career as a Vet.

Doing well, but both stressed out a bit, Turkish lira in a free fall, Evren with many depending on his decisions to provide them a living. Ruki also has her architectural firm, so pressures there as well. It's good they spent a day here at my place..low key. Kids playing Frisbee, croquet, in the back yard.

A cartoon from the New Yorker comes to mind. Two dogs laying in front of a dog house. First dog: "I just dreamed I was a captain of industry, jetting all over the planet, managing $ billions in assets." Second dog: "God, what a nightmare!"

Great post Paul. Savor the times you get to spend with the kids and when you have them, your grandkids. It goes fast, and you can never get it back. Moments like Paul mentioned make you forget about all the other BS around you.

P.S... whoever gave this one star is a D-bag.....

I have an important question for you... when is Ford going to put the flat-plane crank in the non-GT350 Mustangs?

Interesting point. We all know well the teen rebellion attitude here. Tossing the Frisbee with the children, Evren showing talent, giving a bit of instruction. One of the girls asked how he was so good. He replied that he was on the "ultimate Frisbee" team at M.I.T. Suzie, the 14 year old responded; "So Dad, what else in in your past are you not telling us about?"

Neat story...skipping rocks, etc. Yes, important stuff.
When we were kids we'd lash a thick rope over a tree limb that hung out over the river that ran through town.
We'd swing out and jump into the river...of course it soon got to be who could land out farthest into the water.
I came home on leave once and my brother's kids had strung a rope...so much glee and fun to watch.

Bingo on both counts...but I don't see the stars on mobile. Never paid much attention to them, about the dumbest thing on the forum imo, and naw...it ain't a bot doing it. Just some petty, immature, azzhole who doesn't "like" a poster for whatever reason...get a life imo.

Now....back to a great thread.....:)

I remember when rock was young
Me and Suzie had so much fun
holding hands and skipping stones

Right on Paul.

I saw a video recently of a young couple that were hiking somewhere in the mountains, and came across a perfectly flat frozen lake. The guy picked up a skipping stone and skittered it most of the way across the lake that made a really cool/weird sound. The unadulterated joy, and enthusiasm in his voice, as he jumped around looking for another rock to skip was one of those "important" moments he will remember forever.

I've skipped many rocks with my kids as recently as earlier this year....still enjoy it.

Great post/timing Paul.
Last night the kid who works for me and his girlfriend brought me along to see their 10 year old perform with his 4th grade class in this lavish 2 hour Broadway tribute/goodbye to elementary school production.
Watching those tiny squeaky voiced kids perform, some bravely, some confidently, all so innocent had me in tears and laughing the whole time.
You could see the future rushing them along - and the preciousness of it all it made me want to slow it all down.

Yes, there are periods where you wish you could stretch time. I couldn't believe how time passes. The older you get, the faster it goes. Evren's girls...me remembering them as being just past toddlers. Now..they must be breaking young boy hearts. Both well educated, bright, multi lingual...but polite enough to speak only English while here...except for moments when something needed explaining. Then they switch to either Turkish or French for a word or two. The eldest is the jock of the pair...enjoyed doing gymnastics floor exercise stuff on our lawn...back flips, forward tumbles, walking on her hands for 10' or so...much stronger than she looks. The youngest only 12, but showing signs of the raving beauty she will become. All my "honorary grandkids" as Evren puts it.

Still, skipping stones...yes, as long as that happens I know there is some good in this world. Some hope as well.

Yes, I wish I could have stretched that day. But, the earth moves relentlessly.

These are the youth Turkey will need to reverse it's current situation.

You win Paul. Thank you, I needed this today.