And the award goes to........all of us. Each of us. For what we do each day, for the tasks we do, and what we put up with. Seriously, I give myself a big old giant gold Academy Award. And each of you get one too. For being attentive to those around you, for meeting the needs of those nearby when you can, for being positive and keeping your heads held high. That's the extend of my Academy Awards. (Except that I do hope that The King's Speech wins...it's the only movie I've seen in more than a year....)
We're in Boise today and headed back across the Blue Mountains of Northeast Oregon tomorrow before yet another snowstorm hits later tomorrow and Tuesday. The trip over was totally uneventful. Cruised along at 70mph without event. I'm hoping for the same tomorrow. It is February, you know. Snow should be expected.
Our visit has been different. Good, nice, but different. My 15-year-old niece has been diagnosed with Conversion Disorder. She is no longer able to attend public high school. She is in Special Education classes. And you all know what we used to call "those kids" as they arrived in the short bus. It's not pretty. She's having a tough time. She has a hard time speaking, walking, eating, and dressing herself. And this has all cropped up since January 1. Life is a real bitch sometimes. I told her that I loved her and expected her to do her best to get this thing resolved. They say it's stress related. My heart is broken. And hers is too.
It's funny....returning to the place where you were born and raised. How the feelings are different, stranger. How things look smaller, or larger, than you remember. The feelings are unusual. We've driven up and down the streets we rode our bicycles on and looked at the house we grew up in. I did get to enjoy a great evening with a few of my cousins and my aunt. It's been years...many, many years....since I've been able to enjoy one another. Tonight we're headed over to another cousin's house for dessert. No complaints about that.
And the award goes to.........
5 comments:
I accept on behalf of me. Thank you!
Lewis,
I can't imagine how difficult the situation your neice faces. I hope that the trip back home provides some respite for your neice.
BosGuy
I give you the Award for best director.
I accept the award for best supporting actress.
I remember going home to my parents for my first weekend after starting college. What was my own home and familiar just a few weeks before now felt very strange and different. Now in my home town there are none left except for a very few cousins with whom I am not close. I have not been back to visit anyone nor to stop in town for anything in 15 years.
I prefer to think of it in terms of the old Judy Collins' song" "Secret Gardens of the Heart (where the old stay young forever)".
And the award goes to......
this new blogger template you have chosen... very cool...
OK... on to the difficult things of life... my prayers still go up for your niece... and my hope still goes out each day that we will all yield to the better angels of our nature.
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