Archive for the ‘srok friedes’ Category
A Brilliant Idea
Sunday, October 25th, 2009
“Sally, do you know what to expect from this class?” the scantily clad instructor asked me in front of the other twenty students.
‘Yes. It’s going to be very hot.”
I was standing in the middle of my latest brilliant idea. Since I am traveling a good deal in the next two months, taking my traditional coursework in graduate school was not an option. So rather than bowing out this quarter, my program director at JFKU and I created an independent study course about leadership. That would have been enough, except I wouldn’t qualify for financial aid unless I took one more unit.
That’s where my brilliant idea came in.
Rather than design another cerebral course, I decided to create somatic balance. After all, I am enrolled in Integral Psychology. I must treat and respect the whole person. So I decided to study and enroll in Bikram Yoga. (more…)
Posted in Manhattan, srok friedes | No Comments »
What Kind of Mother….?
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
The opportunity was ripe. I heard Harrison in the kitchen and tiptoed up the stairs to the adjacent dining room. He was humming to himself, and I heard the hiss of an opened Gatorade bottle. A cabinet door creaked and slammed, and the clang of ice cubes rattled in a glass. I could just hear Harrison’s smugness, pleased to be surrounding himself with his favorite delectables. Finally, the crinkling and rip of a bag of chips punctuated the end of his mission.
I pressed my back up against the wall, trying to predict his exit route. I knew he was in the middle of reading a book, which was splayed spine-up on the living room table below. I thought he might walk through the hallway on my left, the most direct path to his destination.He had his treats, and he was in a zone. Sure enough, I heard the pad of his jock-sock footsteps. (more…)
Tags: mothers
Posted in Motherhood, srok friedes | No Comments »
Fly Away
Monday, August 31st, 2009
I walked into my bedroom and looked at the alarm clock- it was 6:50 am. I had just dropped off Olivia at the rendezvous point for her Girl Scout rafting trip. For the first time in six years, it was a Girl Scout outing I would not be joining, the price of being in graduate school where I would spend the day.
She and I had left our house when it was still dark, the tree-lined streets of our community motionless in the predawn hours. “I can’t believe its still dark out, ” Olivia said from the back seat of the car.
“Makes it feel more special, don’t you think?” I answered.
Life always feels simple and pure in the early morning hours. I was still in that mindset when I returned home less than an hour later. I switched on my bedside lamp and heard a loud buzzing from the lampshade. I peered inside, expecting to find an agitated fly. Instead I found a nice, plump bee. (more…)
Tags: inspiration
Posted in srok friedes | No Comments »
Coffee in Manhattan
Thursday, June 4th, 2009
It is 8am and the streets of Manhattan are whirring on this rainy morning. I’m sitting on the edge of a sofa bed in my friend’s Upper West Side apartment, sipping strong coffee, half-dressed for today’s luncheon, which will be followed by dinner, followed by a book signing, followed by drinks with friends. Was it just four days ago that I was at the bar mitzvah brunch?
I knew that Saturday, May 30th would be magical. What I didn’t know is that it would transformational. During the week beforehand, all odds were against hit. Harrison was hit with strep throat on Wednesday, and Olivia and I spent Thursday night in the ER for an injured finger. Guests were arriving, place cards had to be made, and there were many details to take care of. (more…)
Tags: Add new tag, bar mitzvah, book tour, Manhattan
Posted in Blog, Manhattan, bar mitzvah, book tours, srok friedes | No Comments »
The Motherhood Club
Friday, May 22nd, 2009
When Harrison was sick last week, I was secretly happy. Life has been extraordinarily full with interviews for The New Jew, sending advance copies of the book, and planning Harrison’s bar mitzvah – in addition to an already full schedule. Time would stand still for a day. Harrison and I would bond.
We enjoyed a day of leisure, but when Harrison awoke the second day still sick, I knew it was time to take him to the doctor. He stepped into his hospital scrubs – his latest favorite article clothing – and off we went. (more…)
Tags: mothers, sick child
Posted in Motherhood, srok friedes | No Comments »
Ring Ring
Friday, April 24th, 2009
The phone rang a few minutes ago. I smiled. It reminded me of how simple and stress-free life can be. I just R E A C H E D across my desk - a mere 18 inches – and answered it.
Posted in srok friedes | No Comments »