October 2009 - Forever In Mom Genes

Do They Make Family Sized Bubbles (like the one from the movie “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble?”)

Oct 27 2009

Flu season sucks. Flu season as a parent sucks even more. Flu season as a parent of a child with epilepsy and underlying neurological disorders with a potential deadly pandemic thrown in, sucks beyond words. Last year, our whole family got the seasonal flu shot. This year, I’m not sure… still weighing the pros and cons. Besides, it looks like my children already have the flu—which actual strain it is will remain unknown as doctors have stopped taking swabs. Apparently the labs can’t keep up with the cost and time required to test for H1N1 so, they don’t. But if it walks like a pig and oinks like a pig, chances are it’s Swine Flu. Do you plan to get your kids the H1N1 vaccine? If so, don’t handle the needle situation like I did.. Here’s what I did last year: Before we headed to the doctor, I really upsold the shot. “Nooooo. The SHOT won’t hurt AT ALL. See this syringe (the one you use to dose out children’s Tylenol), it’s just like this. Nothing scary about that, right?” God I’m stupid sometimes. First of all, my son did not appreciate the word “shot”. Take note. Use the word “vaccine”[…]

Oct 13 2009

There are so many joyful things in life—a laugh between friends that leaves you breathless is one of them. I can always count on my friend Sarah for one of those laughs. I am thankful she is part of my life. She’s a friend, but also part of our family. Last week her dad died, suddenly and tragically, and way too soon. It’s heart wrenching to watch somebody you love having to face something so painful. Our family stayed with Sarah and her parents last summer in Nova Scotia. Her father Gene, was a warm and funny man. I called him “Gampy Gene.” After laughing hysterically, Sarah corrected me. It was “Grampy.” I liked the sound of Gampy better, so I stuck with it. Gene didn’t seem to mind. When my son heard that Gene had passed away, he was quiet. Then he said, “Gene showed me the deers in his yard. He’s the one who told me what ticks are. You hafta watch out for ticks.” He asked, “Is Sarah sad? Did she cry?” It’s funny how kids gauge the gravity of a situation by how upset adults are and if tears are involved. “Yes. She did.” I[…]

Oct 01 2009

Last month I had the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone (like, WAY out) and film a segment for YMC T.V. The “behind the scenes” blog is here (with a link to the video segment). If Erica had asked me to do this years ago, despite her Ninja mind tricks of persuasion, I would have flat out said, “NO FRICKEN WAY am I doing that!” But, after the recent upheavals and subsequent adjustments to the course my life has taken – I’m changed. Not dramatically. Not even detectable by most, but just enough to be able to embrace the cliche, “life is short.” Really it is. Think about how many opportunities we forgo because of discomfort or unfounded fears. I knew that there was a very strong possibility that I would fall on my face and look like a complete ass working in front of a camera. I did screw up a few times in fact and said “ok” way too much, but the world didn’t end. It turned out ok. Shit. Said it again. Don’t you hate when you latch onto a word and it becomes your security phrase when you’re nervous or tired or stunned? I’m[…]

Archive - October 2009

Do They Make Family Sized Bubbles (like the one from the movie “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble?”)

A Message For My Friend

What? You want my autograph?