Disaster Relief

Well HELLO!!!!

I know it has been awhile and for that I apologize. It has been a whirlwind of a summer culminating in a hurricane. Somehow it was fitting.

Ross Rayburn once told me about teaching, "Don't say something until you have something to say." Normally I have NO problem writing and/or talking, but I felt as though I needed to take a break to step back and recharge my batteries. A life observed....examined....whatever.

I went to Martha's Vineyard to spend the second half of my summer with my family. I decided before going that I would not only spend as much time as possible with my family, I would also be game for whatever THEY wanted to do. When we went to the beach if someone asked me to build a sandcastle, play Kadima, go boogie boarding, clamming, boating, etc, I would get my butt off of my beach chair, put down my book/People magazine and engage. I was probably in the water more this summer than the past five summers combined. My family would be my yoga.

Every year there is a twelve meter regatta off of the island. These boats are beautiful to watch. My husband races every weekend on a smaller sailboat. Sailing is his yoga. He crewed last year on one of the twelve meters, but took this year off from the race. On the day of the races he came downstairs and asked if anyone wanted to go out on the boat to watch. It was an overcast day and the boys did not want to go. I replied cheerily, "I'll go." He regarded me for a moment then said, "I'm not going into town to go shopping Courtney."

Now I could have responded many different ways in either defensive or hurt or angry mode. I chose Grace. I responded, "I know." He kept looking at me suspiciously like I was going to get there and sneak away to purchase shoes. Finally he shrugged his shoulders and said, "Um...okay." Off we went.

Just the two of us on the boat watching these amazing crafts. I took a turn at the helm while he took pictures. At one point a boat came back around right at us. Alex yelled to me..."Get us out of here...NOW!" I hit the gas and complied. After that shot of adrenaline we looked at each other with relieved laughter. It was a wonderful moment. It was the type of moment we had not had in awhile. It was the type of day we had not shared in a long time. My mother commented afterwards that she was impressed that I did get angry at Alex's comment. I reminded her that when I got married one of her most valuable pieces of advice was, "Pick your battles."

There is a difference between placating and letting something slide. I am trying at his point in my life to express when my feelings are hurt in a constructive way. I am also trying to grow a thicker skin and do things my family loves to do. I hope in doing this that door will swing both ways. It already has.

It was a wonderful and tough summer. We faced life changes, illness, and riptides, but by remembering to stick together and FOCUS on each other and those we love, we made it through.

Annie Clark, who just opened a wonderful studio in Wilton CT, Hello Yoga, made a point in class today that if you are having the worst moment in the world, This too shall pass. If you are having the BEST moment, This too shall pass. That resonated with me because I have had a bit of both this summer. I survived the tough stuff (Irene included) and relished the wonderful things. (rice cooker on the beach- M:))

Blessings to all of you. Thank you to A, X, M, Rwambos, Trax's, W's and K's, new friend miss meg- and of course M and D for one of the best summers I have had in a long time.

All you runners out there- or people who just love music- check out my sister Rebecca's new blog:
runningwithmusic.blogspot.com