Tropical blooms

From the tropical gardens of Cleveland Botanical Garden taken this month:

Cana Tropicana on the left and Flowering Banana

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There was no label with this plant. Does anyone know what it is?

A sentimental "moment"

Scrolling through the couple hundred photos from my nephew's wedding stored on my computer, I stopped on one, that of my niece and three nephews all together again for the first time in quite a few years.

Though I had looked at it many times, this time I had one of those moments of mixed emotions. My heart swelled with pride, for all that they have become, for their fine character and achievements. I felt joy in remembering their growing up years. In my mind's eye I could see a slide show of many of the images I've made of them over the years and with each image I could remember the circumstances. Those memories are what make is seem like it was just yesterday.... Wasn't it just yesterday that Nate was reading his Sesame Street book, and here we are at his wedding, and how the years have flown by! Mixed in with all the other emotions is a deep sense of gratitude for who they are and the time I've had to spend with them.

Here is a moment captured some twenty years ago:

Standing: Melissa and Nathan, children of my older brother Bob and his wife June, and seated, Brian and Craig, children of my younger brother Dan and his wife Lyn.

Branching out

I'm happy to announce an addition to our family tree by way of marriage. My nephew Nathan Webb Phillips tied the knot with Karen Jasinski on July 18th at Saint Catherine’s Church in Norwood, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston.

Nathan grew up in Maine and graduated from Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. and currently works at John Hancock Financial in downtown Boston. Karen graduated from Providence College and currently works as an administrator at Suffolk University in Boston.

I arrived in the Boston area a couple of days prior to the big event and was delighted to have the opportunity to get acquainted with Karen and her family. Her parents Tim and Mary hosted a cookout at their home in Norwood on Thursday evening for the bridal party and their families.

It's evident to me that Karen and Nate are a great match for each other and I wish them all the best!