I Am A Grasshopper - Trying Acupuncture

I love my body...not necessarily the shape of it but the faithfulness of it.  For 70 years it has faithfully performed.  I get up each morning without a second thought of how I will navigate through my day's activities.  I bound up and down my front steps, I garden, I take walks in the neighborhood, I enjoy all the foods I desire, I knit, I read, I cook, I dance...just giving little unconscious mental commands to various parts of my body and my body complies.  I never think about it...I just act.  I take this body for granted.

So I guess it isn't unreasonable that occasionally my body taps me on the shoulder with a "remember me?"  It sends me messages, reminding me that it is working hard for me and to appreciate all my capabilities.  I received such a message about 6 weeks ago when I began to experience sciatica pain down my left leg after unwisely purchasing a pair of those Sketchers walking shoes that rock you forward. Do not purchase these shoes!  My doctor said I was her 11th patient that had sustained damage after wearing them.  Wearing them just one day did something to my lower back and and I have been having pain down my left leg.  For weeks I have tried all known remedies...anti-inflammatory medication, ice, heat, stretching exercises and finally about 6 sessions of physical therapy.  Without sounding like a neurotic old lady talking about her aches and pains, it seems I have a muscle deep in my buttock that is tight and compressing the nerve.  I call it tight-butt syndrome!

Jay and I attended a lecture on Integrative Medicine at the Rand Corporation over a week ago. According to the panel experts, evidence going back 30 years shows that acupuncture is more effective for treating pain than pharmaceutical medications.  The military is training medics in acupuncture so they can apply the technique in the field.  Many people I know have tried it.  A close friend used acupuncture and Chinese herbs during her cancer chemotherapy,  my son, Joe, has had success using it for various physical ailments, and Milli also used acupuncture and herbs during her pregnancy with Gabriel.  I don't like needles but I took a deep breath and made an appointment at LA Community Acupuncture, an affordable location near my home to see if it might help.

After a very leisurely discussion of my situation with the practitioner, Joe Recsnik, accompanied by the soothing, meditative music in the background, enhanced by the sound of rippling water, he settled me into a chair and inserted a number of needles...very painlessly... in various parts of my body.  All I felt was just tiny pressure and maybe a prick, except for a funny sensation when he struck the "gall bladder meridian" in my left leg.  Then all I had to do was relax for about 30 minutes.

The sensations I felt were unique....some heat on parts of my arms, an overall floating kind of feeling that came in went, the sense of my body expanding and a decided sense of energy or tingling moving in me.  I know I have a vivid imagination so was this all in my head?  Maybe but when I stood up I felt good...a very nice sense of well-being (but then I had been relaxing for 30 minutes!)

I have always been intrigued with Eastern Medicine.  I had a very good experience with a Chinese chair massage on a ship when we were on the Yangtzee River in China.  I swear it cured my tennis elbow!  As for my leg, still have the pain.  But I am going back next week and I will give it a little time.  "Patience grasshopper!"  Who knows!  I am sure my unblocked "chi" will thank me!

I Am A Grandmother - Sharing In Gabriel's Life

I live about 12 miles away from my grandson, Gabriel.  Not close enough for him to run over to my house after school but close enough for me to pick him up from school, take him to summer camp, go to his hockey games, help him with his homework, attend special award ceremonies at his school and have him for "sleep-overs." 

Gabriel is 11, still young enough to find life full of excitement and wonder, and his presence in my life exposes me to that joy as well.

He is on summer vacation right now and this week I have been with him a few times.  I picked him up at the park when he finished his day filled with water games at Summer Camp

Getting his water toy at Summer Camp

Gabe with a classmate.

and I dropped him off at the Sea Labs for his last camp field trip.  On the way to the Sea Lab he buckles himself into the front seat of my car, elated that he is now big enough to legally ride shot-gun, and proceeds to tell me he has something great to share with me.

"Mima, guess what!  I have some great news to tell you about Saturday!"

"Really, what is that?"

"You know how you are going to come to my hockey game?" (This is not really a question.  It is a stated fact...there is NO DOUBT in his mind that Jay and I will be there in our seats to watch him play hockey.)

"Yes, we will be there at 4:45 pm."

"Well, you GET to stay for TWO games! I have been invited to play in a tournament with a TRAVEL TEAM!" (He watches for the happy surprise on my face!)

"Really!  That is wonderful....but, if we are there for two games at that time of the day, what are we going to do about dinner?"

"Oh, Mima...that is not a problem.  They have the BEST hamburgers at the Sports Center and they come with FRENCH FRIES!"

How do I keep the tears from my eyes as I revel in his joy of life?  How do I capture that excitement and wonder?  How do I hold on to the image of the innocence and trust I see in his eyes, certain that I am as excited about this as he is?  Well, I write a blog about it!

A couple of days ago I was walking with a close friend and she commented to me that her grandchildren were coming from a distance to spend time with her and she said she was really looking forward to their visit.  But she reminded me that I am fortunate because I get more than occasional visits...I really get to participate in my grandson's life.  She is right...I do...and I am grateful.

At Gabe's 11th Birthday Dinner

Thank you, Gabriel, for this gift, for allowing me to experience your excitement in this adventure we call life!   Unless we become as little children....

I Am A Crazy Person - Trying to Knit a Lace Shawl

When I was a child, there were times when the pressure of dealing with three small children was enough to turn my mother into a crazy person.  She would look at us with stress and frustration contorting her face and say vehemently..."You kids are going to send me to Massillon!"  Massillon, Ohio was known for many things...one being their successful High School Football team...but when I hear the name, I think of the Massillon State Hospital for the Insane, founded in 1898 by then Governor William McKindley, and I think of my mother's dire prediction!

Mom at the stove cooking a huge meal with the kids in the kitchen!

This afternoon as I was sitting, knitting, in my livingroom, these words echoed in my head, because I was convinced that I was going crazy!  For the first time in my knitting career, I am attempting to knit a lace project.  It is a small shawl that is knit using very fine yarn and size 4 needles.  The stitches are not difficult, I can knit, I can purl, I can do a yarn-over, I can do a knit-2-together and its opposite, slip, slip, knit together.  So I should be able to do this.  But if you have ever tried to knit lace, you know the challenge of not losing stitches in the process. I oh-so-carefully ply my needles and oh-so-vigilantly watch my stitches and yet when I get to the end of the row and count the stitches, there is often one stitch missing.  How did it happen?  I cannot ignore it.  The missing stitch would throw off the entire pattern so I must tediously go back over the row and find where the stitch is missing.  God forbid Jay should innocently ask me a question while I am in this recovery process!!  This is a crazy-making activity!

So why should I even bother to do this pattern.  Why do people climb mountains?  Because of the challenge.  Because they can!  The pattern I am attempting is the small size of the Trevi Shawl designed by Anne Hanson.

The Large Sized Trevi Shawl by Anne Hanson

I have held the finished sample shawl in Twist, my local yarn shop.  It is lovely, it drapes so nicely, it is perfect to carry in your purse to take out and toss over your shoulders if you feel a chill.

Sample Trevi at Twist:Yarns of Intrigue, my local yarn shop.

There is such a sense of accomplishment when a challenging project is completed and I want to prove to myself that I can do this.

I also find that this project teaches me lessons.  I must go slowly. It is not something that can be rushed, something knit between running to the store and putting dinner on the stove.  It must be done slowly, allowing myself to just settle into the activity.  I have to be present and pay attention.  I cannot have other mental conversations going in my head, or be watching the latest episode of "The Closer" or have my telephone tucked between my shoulder and my neck.  I have to concentrate and be present to the very act of knitting.  And I need to breathe!

So while it is progressing slowly, it is progressing.

First 15 rows of the pattern completed successfully!!

Each day I spend a period of time devoted to my lace shawl.  It has become a meditative time for me...a time to relax, clear my mind, follow the pattern, follow the stitches and breathe.  And if I have lost a stitch, I have my dental floss life-line I can frog back to and start from that place again.  I will not go crazy!

I Am A Mom - Cooking For an Adopted Son

One of the rewards of having 3 sons is that through the growing-up years, as well as stray dogs like Scamp and Sundance, friends also followed them into the house.  These "other-people's children" would lie on the floor watching TV, crowd the bedroom while listening to loud rock music, grab an extra plate and join us at the dinner table and occasionally stand in my kitchen and share with me the events of their lives.  Over time, a surrogate mother-son relationship would develop, and I found myself loving them, caring about them, worrying over them and cheering for them...just as I did the three boys I birthed!  Those young men have formed a connection as strong as an umbilical cord and my life is enriched when I continue to interact with them in their adult lives.

I had such a event yesterday.  One of my adopted sons, Michael Harris, is getting married to a delightful young woman next month.  Through the years he has waited for that "special someone" who would light up his world and love him for who he was!  His patience has paid off and when I see him with Michelle, I can almost touch the joy that surrounds them.

Michael and Michelle

My son, Michael Altieri, is his best friend and will stand as his best man at the wedding.  Last evening was the traditional male rite of passage...The Bachelor Party...that was organized by "the best man!"  When he had his own bachelor party, before the guys left for the night of "who knows what!" I prepared a substantial meal for them...pasta, meatballs, salad and garlic bread.  Whatever they were going to do, they would not do on a empty stomach.  Remembering that, I offered to do the same for Michael.

The group gathered in the Altieri's back yard for the dinner and some socializing  before heading out for a night on the town.

Michael Harris, serving himself pasta; Michael Altieri smiling at the camera!

I had two wonderful assistants...my friend, Cindy, who has wonderful knife skills,

and my personal favorite sous-chef, Jay...wearing his FBI apron!

The food disappeared in no time and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Michael's dad, brother-in-law and brother on the right.

Gabriel, who is Michael's godson, served the dessert with his mom, Milli...while learning how to become a man by watching all the activities.

Gabe is also one of the groomsmen in the wedding!

Gabe and godfather, Michael, doing the knuckle-knock!

Finally, the chartered bus/limo arrived to get the guys safely to wherever they were going...it seemed to be a state secret...and then safely home.

After doing the dishes I returned home tired but happy.  My heart felt full.  As the time of my own life passes I am continually reminded of how precious and fragile life is...that the beauty of this life is just being present in the moment and truly experiencing and appreciating the connections that are available to me.

Michael...Thank you for sharing your life with me.  I wish you and Michelle a lifetime of happiness.  Know that you are loved by your adopted mom.

I Am A Mom - The Stanley Cup Visits the Altieri Family

Today is the morning after the night before!  I am still on a bit of a high after experiencing a most rewarding and joyful day.  Yesterday, the Stanley Cup, awarded to the Los Angeles Kings as 2012 National Hockey League Champions, came to visit my son, Michael's, home.  As a senior member of the Kings' staff he was entitled to have the Cup in his possession (with its two handlers) from 4 pm to 11 pm yesterday.  He could use his time anyway he chose.  And being Michael, he created the most gracious and generous way possible.

Previous posts have told Michael's story...how he has been a loyal, dedicated member of the Kings' staff for over 17 years...how winning the Stanley Cup has been his dream. So now, having the Cup in his home was icing on the cake.

Michael, with the Stanley Cup in his home!

Michael, his wife Milli and his son Gabriel, chose to share their block of time with all the family and friends who have supported them during their life and careers, and with their neighbors, and the community.

The first hour was just for family and friends close enough to be considered family.  We had our time to revel in this accomplishment.  Michael thanked us for supporting him.

Michael welcoming and thanking family and close friends.

Gabriel made a speech thanking the team and his dad and presented his dad with a Certificate of Appreciation.  Here is the video of that:

At 6 pm Michael began to welcome all guests.  Mike and Milli opened their home to over 300 people...and by the time one friend told another acquaintance they ended up with about 500 people who walked up their side walkway into their backyard to see, touch, even kiss the Stanley Cup and have their pictures taken with it.  They allowed guests to make freewill donations to the Kings Care Foundation for the privilege of taking the photo so in another way they are sharing it with others.

Jay and I stood in front to welcome people and direct them to the backyard.  It was wonderful to watch people walk up the street wearing their Kings' jerseys.

One family, originally from Canada, brought their children blind-folded to surprise them with being able to see the REAL Stanley Cup.

Michael notified the Hawthorne Police Department of the event and invited them to drive by in case there were crowd issues but to also stop by to view Stanley!  And many of them did...bringing their own jerseys bearing their favorite athlete's name and number.

A few of Hawthorne's finest!

The atmosphere in the backyard was so upbeat and positive.  They served their guests appetizers, sliders, small desserts and beverages.

The Slider Buffet table

People mingled...old friends reunited...new friends were made. People took photos for each other.  They reminisced and told stories.  I had a chance to see so many of the young men who are my adopted sons that in their youth ate many times at our family table!

Patricia with Michael, Mike Pedersen, son Marc, John Meadows, grandson Nik.

Over the past few months I have come to a greater appreciation of the sport of hockey and a great respect for the LA Kings organization.  Other sports win Super Bowls or World Series, with their individual year trophy or ring, but the NHL has ONE Stanley Cup that is given year after year to the champion team.  That one cup symbolizes the entire sport.  It carries the hopes, dreams, and accomplishments of 120 years of hockey playing and to be with it, allows you to be present to that heritage.  The Kings have gone out of their way to share the Cup with the Los Angeles Community.  Local papers show "Stanley" at LA Children's Hospital, schools, camps, fire stations, parks.  Anytime someone sees the cup and asks, they can have their picture taken with it.  Michael even took the cup to his disabled Aunt and Uncle, who could not leave their home, so they could see it, touch it and have their picture taken with it.

Cathy and Karl with Michael and "Stanley

That is what the Stanley Cup is all about.

But Michael was my pride last night.  He is such a generous spirit.  Even in the midst of all of this, the one aspect that gave him the most joy was sharing it with his wife and son.

Milli, Gabriel and Michael

Today he said to me..."I am so blessed, Mom.  I have the most wonderful wife and the most fantastic son.  Did you see Gabriel yesterday...did you see his eyes all lit up...did you see how alive he was!"

There are traditions associated with the Cup.  Everyone wants to hoist it into the air, but that is really only a privilege that the players and staff have earned.  Everyone wants to drink from it, but for security reasons, the handlers do not permit viewers to do that.  You can touch, you can hug, you can kiss it.

Gabe's first kiss not to a family member!

But that is all.  However, Michael got a special permission from the handlers to allow him to do one special thing before the Cup left the Altieri home.  He held the Cup while his son drank Sprite from the Cup...what a memory to give a little 10 year old hockey fan!

Mike helping Gabriel drink Sprite from the Stanley Cup!

So the Stanley Cup left last night to continue its journey to Russia.

All packed up and ready to go!

For the next 100 days it will travel the world visiting the homes of families of the Kings' players.  But the Cup  will return...Gabriel is already predicting a back-to-back win next year.  From his lips to God's ears!

As for us, in the 13 years that Jay and I have been married, we have never sent out a Photo Christmas card.  Maybe this year will be the first!