Tuesday, June 2, 2015

News of the day

I'm elated today and the source of this joy is my children. I'm elated for my children. I can't spend a lot of time writing here today, as I need to give all my writing juices to the book, but last night my son got the notice to report for the physical agility test for the FDNY, which is the first step in the process of actually joining the fire department. If you've been reading here awhile, you know that to be a firefighter-medic has been his dream. (His other dream is to coach the U.S. National Track and Field Team, so let's hold that thought too, shall we?)

My choir had the last of our spring concerts last night. It was at the Library for the Blind, which is quite a distance out in Queens. My husband kindly came to pick me up and drop three of my fellow choir mates home afterward. While we were in the car on the rainy highway back to Manhattan, my son called in on the speaker phone. He asked where we where and when we'd be home. His dad told him, and he respond cryptically, "Well, I have some good news for you when you get home."

My husband and I tried to surmise what the good news could be and we both quickly landed on the FDNY. I'm always kind of tickled by how our kids have never questioned that what makes them happy will make us happy. When we walked into the apartment our son didn't say a word, just handed us the letter. We all hugged and I asked him how he felt. "Excited and nervous," he said, which I think is how it feels when you are passionate about a thing. The process still has a lot of playing out to do, but if our boy passes all the tests from here on out (physical, psychological, medical, etc) I think it means he gets hired and then will do an EMT refresher course at the FDNY Academy before hitting the streets in the rig.

Meanwhile a poster landed in my email box last night from a nutrition and yoga center that is hosting a collaborative Cook & Dine group to teach healthy and enjoyable eating this summer. It is led by a therapist, a nutritionist and a guest chef who will be none other than my daughter! I knew this was in the works but when I saw the poster with my daughter's picture and official sounding bio, alongside a New York University trained professor and therapist, and a Columbia University trained nutritionist and yoga instructor, I was pretty darn excited for her. She may not want to own her own restaurant any more, but look, she's still being a chef.

So that's my news for today. Now back to work. I've got to get to a certain word count before I head back out to Oakland next week to sit down with my now 97-year-old subject and go over what we have so far.





22 comments:

  1. Honey, you just got TWO HUGE paychecks in the mothering career. Fantastic! Look at those beautiful kids, making their dreams come true! How incredibly fine they are!
    And this line- " I'm always kind of tickled by how our kids have never questioned that what makes them happy will make us happy." I've never quite thought of it that way but it is so true. At least in my family.

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    1. Ms. Moon, our kids know they are loved and that our intention for them is always, always pure! xo

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  2. How wonderful for them and for you! I have been watching Rosemary and Thyme, an English series which ran from 2003 through 2006 about a plant pathologist and her business partner and how they end up solving murders...pretty well written and not graphic or overly violent like a lot of American fare. Also saw a Helen Mirren film at the theatre which I would recommend though you might need tissues. Best of luck focusing that creative energy.

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    1. e, thanks for the recommendation. I love Helen Mirren. xo

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  3. Wonderful news. It's always so nice to see one's children thriving. Hoping good things keep coming to them.

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  4. this is so fantastic how amazing your children are and you are their mother to give them such strong wings.
    love,
    rebecca

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    1. Dear Rebecca, methinks you give me too much credit, but I am thrilled by their news anyway. Love.

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  5. Oh Joy! What great news for both your lovely children. You must be bursting with love and pride

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    1. Mel, it is so gratifying to see the door crack open for each of them. And yes, I am proud of them, their perseverance, their diligence. xo

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  6. Yay!!!!! I'm so happy for you!!! For them!!! They are such superstars. I love them. And you.

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    1. Yolie, hardly superstars but good kids who work hard. They both do. Thanks for your lovely comment. I love you, too!

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  7. So proud of your kids! And you! You all make this world a better place, each and every day!

    so, Oakland....not that far away from us! We should try to get together if at all possible.


    big love,

    Scott

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    1. Scott, where exactly are you and Yolie? That's an exciting (and nerve-wracking) thought!

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  8. And you're in a choir, too!

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    1. Mwa, I am! I love all the quirky people in my choir and my choir director, who is very passionate about the music. We are a rag tag bunch, but the choral concerts apparently sound very polished, so our audiences tell us!

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