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Revisiting Gratitude

February 21, 2012 in Family

Nearly seven years ago, I fell asleep at the wheel of my truck. The resulting accident – with the cruise control set at 72 mph – should have killed me, or worse. I walked away with nary a meaningful scratch as did my dog, who was thrown from the vehicle when we veered off the highway. As I drive that same route regularly, a recent visit to the crash site made me reflect on how lucky I was then and how lucky I am now.

Perspective is something that allows us to appreciate our lives, our families, and our country. The accident occurred in June 2005. I was grateful then and have been living a life of gratitude almost ever since. Let’s take a look at that story with some excerpts from what I wrote shortly afterwards (italicized):

Driving alone on 395, I fell asleep at the wheel. Startled awake as the car drove screamingly over the shoulder, I grabbed the wheel and holding on for dear life, tried desperately to control the swerving bucking SUV. The car crashed through a barbed wire barrier and headed down into a river wash. Over boulders the size of large beach balls, the car literally flew nose-first into the wash. The momentum carried the car into a front side flip, spiraling over once or twice, landing right side up, and facing the opposite direction.

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by Maria Grazia Swan

Modern Families

February 20, 2012 in Family

I have this thing about my teeth. When I was growing up, our town didn’t have a real dentist, The young man performing dental work, had learn from his father. Whatever he did, was always without anesthetic, no laughing gas, no Novocain…he strapped you in and you got to exercise your vocal cords.

When I came to The States and discovered the way it is supposed to work, I was ecstatic. You’ll never hear me complain about going to the dentist. Because of the experiences from my youth, I’m a little obsessed with prevention.At some point I was getting my teeth cleaned every four months. I didn’t see the dentist often but got very chummy with the hygienist. One day, the dentist called me into his office and explained that while they would happily take my money every four months, it wasn’t necessary, six months between cleaning would be fine. Now I see the hygienist every six months and that means we have to talk faster to catch up with all that happened in between cleanings. She does the talking, I can’t. My mouth must stay open with that sucking thing hanging on one side of the lips, but I’ve learn to express my dis/approval through my eyes. We get along royally.

My last visit was just before Christmas. Tracy had a happy glow about her, the one pregnant women often exude. I knew that wasn’t the case, because she already has 4 kids and last time I asked, no husband. Okay, I know, you can have more than 4 kids and you don’t need a husband.

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by Bonnie Joffe

A Mother Daughter Retreat

February 2, 2012 in Family

And such was this past weekend. My oldest child, the only girl in a family of 3 boys, has become a great travelling buddy. A few years ago, we explored Prague and Italy, and just this past weekend, we decided to go for a lovely, peaceful weekend in the Finger Lakes region in upstate New York. We seem to like the same things; food, wine, spots to visit and even a similar sleeping schedule!

We found a wonderful bed and breakfast, the Black Sheep Inn in Hammondsport, New York where we received the royal treatment. We had messages, facials, home-cooked gourmet breakfasts and uninterrupted time to enjoy some R&R.

As we enjoyed our time away from our busy, individual lives, one of our many discussions included the future for my 23-year-old daughter– where she envisions herself living should she someday leave Manhattan. During out discussion, I reflected back on my relationship with parents during my young adult years. My parents moved to Florida after I graduated from college and my life kept me here in the northeast. I was not fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with my parents during those early years after college graduation and well into my middle years of life.

I am sharing this with you because you never know how much time you will have to spend with your children as they fly the coop and start their own lives– and often, no longer local to the home in which they grew up.

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by Marie The Itty Bitty Boomer

On The Road Again … Round 1

January 29, 2012 in Family, Our Lives, Places, Travel

Since last Saturday, I have been in my own bed twice … to San Diego on Saturday, January 21, and back to Sacramento on Sunday, January 22, arriving home near mid night Sunday night. I left again Tuesday morning for Reno on business, and arrived home today about 2 pm. It’s been a great week!

Saturday’s journey, Round 1, was with my 16-year old grandson to attend my brother & sister-in-law’s 48th anniversary celebration. I haven’t seen them in 3 years. Keeping this connection is critical to me since our parents are now all gone, and we see or talk to each other not often enough. To complicate things further, they are currently spending most of their time somewhere south of Tijuana at her mother’s adobe ranch house – no phone, no cell service, no internet. It was great to see them!

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