in the last week or so, it has been good to see members of my mathematical family [1]. there were some "sibs" of mine that i had encountered but never met, others whom i rarely see or write, and others with whom i see all the time.
today, both of my younger sibs -- they are still students [2] -- gave talks, and i think they were well-received. they also spoke last week, at the advisor's memorial conference, and i think they now stand well in the mathematical world.
viewing it, i would call it something like a debutante ball -- that is, a coming of age, a proper introduction into our mathematical society.
they will go far. they might deny or be uncertain about it, but from an outsider's viewpoint -- it's obvious. perhaps it is good for them to worry a little, but they needn't do so.
i've never been very good as a brother -- biological or mathematical -- but it makes me happy to see this. it's been a hard year for anyone who knew the advisor -- we lost him -- and in the event of this tragedy, it's heartening to see these sibs of mine flourish and thrive.
call it familial pride.
[1] the analogy of advisor and student as parent and child will never disappear. the mathematics genealogy project is a testament to this.
[2] though in spirit, i feel like a student too.
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