RISE UP!
(Part 1)
“A good friend will help you move.
But a best friend will help you move a dead body.”
—Jim Hayes
A year ago I purchased 4 tickets to see Bruce Springsteen in San Francisco. Nearing the end of his 2023 tour, doctors ordered him to postpone the tour in order to treat his Peptic Ulcer Disease. We were supposed to see the concert at Christmas time, when the kids were both home for the holidays. (Benjamin lives in Alaska and Abigail in California) Michael and I had each read Bruce’s autobiography and had watched his Springsteen on Broadway production on Netflix. Although we were familiar with his anxiety attacks and internal challenges, we were unaware of his disease - and yet, one seems to feed the other, so in some strange way, it all made sense.
Eventually, we got word that the tour was to resume and our tickets rescheduled: Easter Sunday. For me, Spring Break - perfect. Michael and the kids were able to take time off. We contacted our friends in Oakland and VIOLA! Project “Bruuuuuuce” was in motion!
In 1979 and 1988, Michael and I each saw Bruce in Southern California. I had just finished High School and had traveled to the Hollywood Bowl with friends. I loved him instantly, Bruce that is. Michael and I had not yet met each other, but we had a similar response to his energy and passion upon his performance. I saw him in the Hollywood Bowl at a “No Nukes” concert; Michael saw him with “Human Rights Now” at the LA Coliseum. (Ironically, I had attended that same concert, but would not yet meet Michael for another 3 years, but that did not stop Bruce from entering our conversation during those first few dates. “Bruuuuuuuuuce” was influential in our lives even then.)
Even in the nosebleed section of the Chase Center in San Francisco, the power of Bruce (belting out tunes in his 74th year) entered our own children’s lives at about the same age we were when we first saw him.
Perusing the audience, I saw many gray hairs and even more no hairs thrilled to be recapturing a Bruce memory and then bringing it forward to live in it presently. On the brisk one mile walk from the BART Embarcadero stop to the Chase Center, we met other parent-child teams - often accompanied by similar conversations relaying past memories of similar influential concerts of long, long ago.
“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”
– Dr. Seuss
1997 “Priceless”
-the year Benjamin was born-
(Although I would LOVE to return to these prices,
the message isn’t lost upon us)
Capturing moments across time is invaluable for us. Michael and I find this so important, that we will work overtime shifts and take on extra jobs to make these memorable moments happen. Later, the following day and over a painting session of Dungeons and Dragons’ characters, Abigail and Benjamin shared with us a conversation about “The best concerts they have ever attended” - Bruce made #2.
Roger Waters made #1
In the end, you see, it’s not about the money at all. It’s about the relationship.
Chef Bradley Bolt “Yes Chef”
OUR children’s Godparent’s child, Brad, prepared Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon and homemade hollandaise sauce for our Easter Brunch. As his sous-chef, we spent a fabulous 4 hours prepping and constructing magic in the kitchen.
A younger Bradley at a tad more formal Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park. Bradley was often a Clothing Optional 4-year old.
While cooking, we were greeted by “Bubbles” curious as to where and when HIS morning meal would be served. This African Saldenha has resided at the Bolt’s home for as long as Bradley could remember.
Laurie’s garden is magical. Where one Bolt creates magic in the kitchen - another creates it in the garden.
“Every child is an artist.
The problem is how to remain an artist
once we grow up.”
– Pablo Picasso
Seren and Mark Bolt describe and compare specifics with their Dungeons and Dragons characters. Details while bonding is everything.
Abigail’s D & D character.
A younger version of our children while camping in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
I'm always amazed at how communication can feel like a miracle, changing my world in an hour.
Small things make big differences.
-Psychology Today
The “Other” Godmother, Jules drove over from Sacramento to Oakland taking some time with us to share a meal - an overnight - and the Bradley Brunch magic.
What these lifelong friends have shared with us confirms how life-enhancing friendship is in the wider sense, too. There’s a quiet pride in the other – their achievements and their qualities. In all the friends I speak to, we have a sense of how deeply enmeshed we are in each other’s lives: past, present, partners, children.
"You can tell what was the best year of your father’s life because they seem to freeze that clothing style and ride it out."
- Jerry Seinfeld
Bonding over Dungeons and Dragons.
Mark Bolt emceed as Dungeon Master (DM) who served as referee and storyteller for the game. Creating new memories over bonding through a common loved game, our children maintained the setting in which the adventure occurred. Mark kept disappearing into the basement pulling out more in-depth setting and character features allowing everyone to become the role of the inhabitants of the game world.
Benjamin’s turn for a storyline.
D&D departs from traditional war gaming, allowing each player to solve problems, engage in battles, explore, and gather treasure and knowledge. Importantly, D&D offers similar benefits to adult learners who can develop their skills in teamwork and group creativity while adventuring.
Another study of DND in a therapy setting suggests that it can boost a person’s confidence in social settings and reduce their fear of making mistakes, which then enhances their decision making.
“Nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days.”
– Doug Larson
When they were just red cheeks, blue eyes, hats and wonderment …
Making orange juice from oranges
Celebrating Mark’s 60th birthday with a Pie-in-the-Face by his two children following a backyard celebration complete with steamed clams.
“We’re all just walking each other home.”
- Ram Dass
End of Part I.
Part II coming soon.
