Someone is tossing petals in a stream
Somewhere someone is standing at the foothills of their dreams
Someone got a paintbrush, is painting over doubts
Someone opened up his eyes and saw the sun coming out
Someone was captive and found the courage to get off
From a boulder in the well, somewhere the rain has stopped
Someone is finding the place where they belong
So now everything in this song makes me think of Nora. She "is standing at the foothill of her dreams." And the thing is right now, I do not know what the future will hold. And then I took a break and watched the petals in the stream and the little kid drawing the foothills of her dream. And a lot of ducks, I will have to ask Nora what she thinks about this film, and the editing, and the choices. Nora is getting in to making films and shooting pictures and making choices. She is almost the youngest in the larger Magee family. But man, as an old man to be at the foothills of your dreams, fills me with joy, and makes me so happy for Nora.
Nora rolls with the punches, and just takes what the world gives her (some severe allergies) and just figures out how to live with it. She is the kid sister and makes all of her brothers and sisters happy. I think there is some campaigning where Nora will begin her big girl life. I think both of her sisters would like her in their city. Chicago to Los Angeles is not a possible daily commute, so who knows. Grandma Jane wants her close and still probes for me to recount the entire breakfast conversation as she could live the rest of her life hearing about her grandchildren.
Last year after a Mizzou football game and a night at Doug's I made plans to take Nora to breakfast. I told her to bring her roommates. One came--Anna Fiordelisi, the niece of my good friend. I do not know how much that breakfast caused me to want to do 60 of them, but I remember enjoying our time together and our conversation so much. The Irish call it Craic, just the telling of stories. All three of us took turns telling stories. It was great. I vaguely know Anna's parents and nothing about her wonderful being surprises me. Nora and Anna were so good at just being okay with a long wait at IHOP and they were not even bothered. While others rolled their eyes, and the crowding of a small lobby had every one on edge, the three of us laughed. We could not believe the amount of complaining and the drama we were one table away from.
I think that might be Nora's super power. To see the realities of the situation, and not be flustered or worried about things she cannot change. She is always easy going, ready for the next bump or obstacle. Sometimes the youngest gets forgotten. I think if that happened Nora would just laugh and then have a wonderful story to tell. I do not know what the future holds for my niece. I know she will make me laugh and smile for as long as I am here. I know she will be kind. I know she will not forget the forgotten. She will continue to be a good sister and a great friend. The kind of friend you can just hang with, when times are bad or when they are good. Nora will be there.
Now, Shhhhhhhhh. Pass the Popcorn the movie is starting. I don't want to miss this one.
(the camera pans from the petals on the pond to a majestic mountain capped with snow, a woman with a soft voice begins to sing. the credits begin to roll.
a film by Nora Thiemann
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