Brotherly Love

It took 3 separate vet appointments to get all of our animals their check-ups, but we're done, whew! Lucy was first, she did great, except the persistent barking in the waiting room. Jada was next and since she was confined to a kennel, it was quite easy on my part, though not so much for the techs who had to hold her while the shots were administered.

We saved the best (ha) for last - the boys. Winston was his usually happy, go-lucky self, wagging his tail, licking everyone and not making a peep. Percy was his usual nervous self, whining and trying to hide. They were both weighed, checked out and then for the finale, the shots. Percy was first and when he was put on the table and started to really squirm and cry, that's when Winston's nervous behavior kicked in. It struck me as very endearing that Winston did not worry so much about what was done to him, as much as he was worried about his brother. He was trying to get to Percy and was whining, something we do not normally hear from him. He is truly a protector of his brother.

It was a good life lesson for me, seeing Winston's concern for his brother, realizing that the pain of others' is all of our concern and whatever we can do to ease it helps not just the recipient, but the giver as well. Maybe that is why Winston is so happy, because he is needed. In my reading of self-help books last week, I came across a story that relayed the same message. I also know that when faced with my own turmoil, my best remedy for happiness is to focus on another person's turmoil. As I feel sad about our upcoming move, that is what I should be doing. Thanks Winston, for reminding me what relationships and life are all about!

Running Away From My Problems

I am at the stage of our big transition in which I am second guessing our choice to move to Michigan. What was I thinking? We're leaving the mountains, Sophie's great school, Steve's fabulous work schedule, our wonderful neighborhood...for the relatively unknown. We know Michigan, some of it, but we don't know if we'll be happy!

I'm glad I started exercising and eating better before the idea of moving was even conceived. I am now on week 7 of the 8 week running program I started and it's getting intense, which is what I need. When I'm running I'm just thinking about how I'm moving, keeping correct form and wondering if I can tackle the slight incline ahead. I'm not at that stage in which I think through problems, daydream of meditate. I hope to get there, but this phase is good for right now.

Running is something I can do anywhere and that gives me a lot of comfort right now. I can't wait to explore the terrain in Michigan with my two feet and the extra oxygen is going to be a bonus!

My mind is going about a million miles a minute these days, sometimes I'm extremely excited, sometimes I feel really horrible. Change is not easy, but necessary and whether or not one faces a situation, it's going to arrive. I'm just glad that I have something consistent right now, something that is good for me and something that challenges me. It's exciting to know I can keep on running and will never reach my destination, but I can enjoy the pit stops along the way.

School's Almost Out for Summer

Today is Sophie's last day of 4th grade and her last day at Adams Elementary. We are very, very sad. Sophie has been at Adams since starting 1st grade and I feel like Adams is the elementary school of my youth - it literally is the elementary school of Steve's youth, as he attended Adams for a few years way back when.

Adams has the socioeconomic diversity we love, programs for students of all abilities, activities after school, a dynamic and caring staff and the principal is willing to listen to parents' suggestions and I believe he is there to really make sure each student and their family succeeds.

I have been fortunate to work at Adams during Sophie's time there and I highly recommend working at your child's school. I loved seeing her throughout the day, knowing what was going on and working with other children, which put my ideas for what to expect from Sophie in perspective.

I'm not planning on going into the school today, I am not at all good with good-byes and right now I'm tearing up and since this is about Sophie today, I just want to be her mom and to comfort her as needed. Whatever school we choose in Michigan will have high standards to live up to, and I don't doubt it will, but Sophie will always be an Adams Owl!

You Are What You Read!

On Monday Sophie, her grandma and I strolled along Main Street and stopped in The Book Table for some browsing. Sophie wanted to show her grandma some things in the children's area upstairs, so I curled up in the self-help section, which I feel is a great place to spend a few moments, soaking up the warm fuzzy words which are suppose to improve your life.

I instantly grabbed The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman and after perusing each section, determined my love language is physical touch - with some words of affirmation. I could not find Steve's love language, nothing mentioned fungi, but I realized that all those times I'm hugging him and invading his personal space is because of my needs, not his.

After Chapman I turned to one of my favorites, Leo Buscaglia. I was introduced to Leo's book, Living, Loving and Learning when it was required reading for an education class in college. Leo is to me what Jesus is to millions. I take his words as divined by God. He speaks of living life fully, grasping the moment and as a bonus, he promotes the hugging of all - the man speaks my love language! Leo passed away is 1998 and yep, sometimes I send my prayers his way.

There was also a book divulging the secrets of happy persons. I don't remember what I read, probably something about finding one's passion in life - great advice!

I would love to buy all these books and more in the self-help section, but I am pretty discriminating when it comes to purchasing books. I recently bought, The Tibetan Book of the Dead because I felt it is something I would be proud to display in my personal library and it's a book that requires great thought when reading. Now, after buying this book, I found Howie Mandel's autobiography at the library and I inhaled it while still on the first page of The Tibetan Book of the Dead. I laughed out loud at the antics described by Mandel and empathized as he relayed his struggles of dealing with OCD. Loved the book. When I finished the book, I found myself rather half-heartedly returning to my more intellectual read.

I do believe you are what you read and I do believe that as in all things, one should sample from the great menus offered. Read books that feed your mind, expand your horizons and make your emotions surge. Sample from menus of which you would not normally imbibe. Visit the dessert section, taste from the appetizers and go ahead, sip the wine. It's all good and the lasting effect - instead of a wider girth, a broader view of the world.