Terri Anderson Burnett and Christopher Burnett
There’s no manual for living life that guarantees ultimate outcomes because people have the will to choose. And the travels during a life can wound some beyond repair.
As parents, you just live each day with the intent of creating positive experiences and environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. And, always love one another. That’s the best you can likely do as human beings and parents.
We adopted the philosophy to err on the side of love. When our children need us collectively and individually, we are always there for them to the best of our ability.
We are only mortal and do have favorites as parents though.
They are our favorite son and favorite daughter respectively.
“You never know what type of person you are ultimately raising – you simply do your best by your children and the decisions they ultimately make will determine who they become as autonomous adults.”
Advice for the ages.
Family Flashback ?
FEATURE PHOTO:
Our three eldest grandchildren.
In 2013 we drove to the Missouri Ozarks to get these three after they visited with their other grandparents. We got to hang with them for a while before their mom (our daughter) came to take them home. Fun summer adventures.
It was also cool to go back to the area we left as brand new empty nesters. We literally started our life together over again when we left there 17 years ago – coming back home to live in the Kansas City metro.
It seems to have proven true again that such things in life happen as they are supposed to.
Closure.
She used to encourage me to use my talents to create the life I want to live. I saw her overcome. I saw her grow as an adult. I saw her become the best version of herself.
Here’s one of the phrases I constantly heard growing up: “Work hard and be nice (to other people).”
I have learned this phrase in practice keeps you focused on what really matters.
#life #love #family
That’s all …
Christopher Burnett QUINTET performed at the 2017 Roots Festival in my hometown of Paola, Kansas.
This was the 28th anniversary of the annual festival. The last time I had the honor of performing there was in 2002.
We invited a special guest to perform with us. My long time friend and jazz mentor from Army band days, Marcus Hampton.
I played alto saxophone and performed with:
Roger Wilder on piano
Charles Gatschet on guitar
Dominique Sanders on bass
Clarence Smith on drums
Our playlist covered some traditional jazz works by noted composers and a couple of my compositions as well during the 50-minute set at Roots Festival.
Here is the set list …
Take Five by Paul Desmond (Dave Brubeck Quartet)
Dolphin Dance by Herbie Hancock
Invitation by Bronislau Kaper
Sugar by Stanley Turrentine
Yesterdays by Jerome Kern
Triste by Antonio Carlos Jobim
Perspectives by Christopher Burnett
Bagnoli Blues by Christopher Burnett
Our program was well received. More information about CbQ.
Photograph by Gene Morris, Sports Editor, Miami County Newspapers //
I was having lunch at Fort Leavenworth a couple of weeks ago and just happened to be standing in the buffet line behind a man dressed in Buffalo Soldier uniform and regalia. He was an officer of a local chapter.
We talked about the organization and it turns out my connection to the Buffalo Soldier lineage is being an alumnus of the 399th Army Band. So, I took his card and was to get a membership application form.
The Buffalo Soldier stopped by the Lamp newspaper office with the membership form just before lunch as we previously arranged. I completed the form. The chapter president, whom he brought with him, signed and approved my membership on the spot.
– – –
So, I’m officially a member of the Alexander/Madison Chapter of Greater Kansas City Area Buffalo Soldiers. We do community service projects. I’m not sure about the uniforms yet.
And, as it turns out, the Chapter President, John “JR” Bruce, is a cousin and veteran of the Vietnam conflict (who was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor).
Small world.
Buffalo Soldiers!
Listen to “Buffalo Soldiers”
by James Kimo Williams
(Wikipedia page / CD Baby Store)
I’m shown here with our three eldest grandchildren at the conclusion of a visit to our home by Jesse Newman and Curtis McClinton to see our eldest brother, Richie Pratt, who had recently returned home after having lived in Hawaii for nearly thirty years.
“So, I get home from work today and there is a strange car in the driveway. I walk in the house from the garage and Curtis McClinton is sitting in my easy chair and Jesse Newman is sitting on the sofa in the living room. These two Jayhawks came by to visit our Jayhawk, Richard Dean today. It turns out that Curtis was involved in the work of initially setting up the 18th & Vine District and Jesse has been big in community advocacy and education. They plan on visiting regularly. It was cool for our grandchildren to get to meet them too …”
– – –
The three of them played varsity football at the University of Kansas in the 1960s (1960-69 Rosters). Richie ultimately had a shot with the New York Giants and Curtis went on to greatness with the Kansas City Chiefs.
And see: RichiePratt.net
