Subject: Embracing the ephemeral. Date: 31 Dec 1999
From: Kevin Charbonneau
Greetings in the millennial twilight,
In the shadow of the illumined Taj Mahal, the year rapidly fades to mist; both in substance and allusion. Shah Jahan's magnificent homage to his beloved surpassed my imagination. I anticipated a version of National Lampoon's Vacation where the Griswald's take a glance at the Grand Canyon, nod a few times, and hop back into the car. The Taj Mahal captivates. India seems fitting for tonight's revelry - a place to embrace the past with remembrance and the future with enthusiasm. Remembrance is nicely described by Kahlil Gibran as "the glittering arches that span the summits of the mind." The beauty of my surroundings today were nicely matched by the erudition and rhythmical prose found in Gibran's work - The Prophet. Few words, expansive ideas, a highly encouraged read.
A moment's reflection on times past: A few thousand years ago the world was graced by the wisdom of Confucius, Aristotle, the Buddha, Plato, Socrates ... the next millennia offered us the teachings of Jesus, the works of Plautus and Terrence, the Koran as delivered to Mohammed ... and what of this epoch? Some would point to Shakespeare, Copernicus, Darwin, Freud, Whitman, Magellan, and Einstein as guiding points of light and inspiration. In the distance I see their visages dimmed by one man's radiance: Lawrence Charbonneau II, founder of a dynasty. Words and guidance par excellence. Poetry and practicality. He planted seeds that bore fruit, some might say nuts, such as I. A brief taste of these truths follow for your enlightenment:
1) Poetry on Man's commonality and tribulations:
"Here I sit so broken-hearted,
Tried to shit but only farted."
2) A dental axiom: "Only floss the teeth you want to keep."
3) And a brief treatise on the the creative spirit, art, and liberty:
"They paint these walls to cover my pen,
But the shithouse poet has struck again !"
I face the uncertain future armed with such timeless knowledge and feel immense joy in being able to share it with you - my closest friends. Keep smiling, cherish subtleties, dance with zeal, and celebrate life with your child-like awe and wonderment.
- Until Father Chronos unites us ... Kevin
P.S. Like the mighty Taj reflected in the water, I now resemble the inverted image of my self-portrait caricature. I shaved my head earlier in the evening. With cranial nudity and a seasoned Fu Manchu, I peer into the distance between us ... and give you a wink ;-)
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