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Esther- I am back from England for a short stay with Bill and Joan (and Emmy is home too)- and Con arrives on Tuesday, after the end of her school term. We have been up here for three days, and some young people from Yale and from Bill’s lab, have been here too. Yesterday we climbed Keller (for me to the tundra, but not the summit), and were rewarded by the most astounding display of alpine flowers imaginable; a day I shall remember for the rest of my life. It was a perfect day weatherwise, being fresh (everything is well watered) and sunny, with a little cloud, and in the afternoon, neighbouring (but not over us) thunderstorms and rain.
This is indeed a magical place, especially in this glorious, flower-strewn, vibrantly life-filled time of the year. For me the impact on the senses is enriched by so many memories of people (and you are one of them) and events over the last 18 years that were here, or associated with the Betzes elsewhere. This place and these people have enriched my life, and that of my family. Time passes relentlessly, and I am saddened to hear of Bulah’s death, and that you may not travel back here this year. Each generation derives strength and interest, and security, from the previous one, and a sense of the continuity of our history buffers us from the vastness and impersonal nature of infinity in space and time. The passing or withdrawal of the older generation leaves the younger impoverished, or at least with one less sustaining root. But those who are fortunate in having many happy memories can be fortified by these too. Tony Ridge, Sunday 12th July 1998 |
8th September 2017 at Esther’s bench. Fifty years ago (half a century ago!) Bill, Ant, Conny and then Joan first met and became friends; Bill and Ant at Yale, and Joan and Conny the distaff side of the two couples. Our friendship was renewed in 1980/81 when Con and I came to Colorado (my sabbatical year from Bristol University), and Bill and I worked together in Bill's laboratory. Our two families, from then on, became close, and to an extent (geographically limited of course), grew up together. Much has changed since; Jennifer and Emmy have husbands (Dan and Michael) and children (Zach and Clara, and Thalia and Matilda) and their own two houses up here, over-looking the meadow. Sim and Violet have several times been back here, but on this occasion only Con and Ant (me) could come. Reciprocally Bill, Joan and Jen and Emmy have stayed with us at Brockley (near Bristol, England), as Bill’s and Ant’s scientific collaboration continued. As I write the meadow grass is being baled, having been cut earlier. Except for the pine beetle kill the view across the meadow is basically unchanged. The Gore Range peaks rise before us- but look hazy because of the forest wild fires further north. This place is part of something very special to us- a place of beauty, and interest, and part of the fabric of a wonderful friendship for us all. We remember Esther and Bulah, so this bench has special memories attached. What memories! What friendship. How fortunate we are! Ant Ridge |
