Seriously? Seriously? She used the r-word????!!!

Ann Coulter called Mr. Barrack Obama a retard. Yes, she used the r-word. One of the most offensive, disgusting, hate promoting words in the English language. And I for one HATE her for it. I have never met the woman but someone who lacks the sensitivity to know that that word is NEVER to be used, absolutely NEVER to be used to insult ANYONE is APPALLING!

I wonder who raised her? Where are her parents? Even now as an adult if I was her mother I would personally go to her house and make her apologize not only to the President but to all children and adults with Special Needs and those without who were bullied with that word. AND I would wash her mouth out with soap while making a video of it and posting it on YouTube. PLUS make her walk around with a big sign that says "I am an insensitive bitch".

 I occasionally volunteer for the Special Olympics. I am trying to find the genetic causes of Intellectual Disabilities (ID) in order to provide support for these individuals and their families. I assess children with ID on a daily basis to recommend support to make their lives better in school and the community. I have been working with the Special Needs population for 20 years and every single one of these people deserves my respect, admiration, praise, approval and wonder. This woman needs to spend a few minutes with me to, as John Franklin Stephens puts it in his letter "See if you can walk away with your heart unchanged"  Mind you, I am so ANGRY that I would just yell at her.

I am in the process of raising two boys and I have made it very clear to them that THIS word (as well as some others) are NEVER to be used, NEVER EVER. This word carries hatred and MAY NOT under ANY circumstance be used as verbal weapon. I also stick to my guns when it comes to other people using this word. I'll have you know that I once pulled my car over, stopped driving and gave a very stern lecture to a friend of my 14 year old who dared use the r-word in my presence. Petey (not his real name) then apologized profusely and his mother later called me to THANK me for making sure this never happens again.

I URGE you to read John Franklin Stephens response to Ann Coulter (I have attached the link below). He is a young man with Down syndrome who has decided to educate this Coulter neanderthal with his letter and is ROCKING his extra 21 with eloquence and poise. BRAVO JOHN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timothy-p-shriver/an-open-letter-to-ann-coulter_b_2012454.html

Maternal duties

A few weeks ago I posted on Facebook that one of my many maternal duties is to eat the ends of bread loaves. Nobody likes the crusty ends but mothers tend to be less selective. When we eat them we rationalize the experience with the well known "we-should-not-waste-any-food" mantra. We also think "I have to set an example for the children" or "If I eat them eventually they will realize these are not so bad and eat them themselves" Of course that NEVER happens. So the end result is a gaggle of chubby mothers who think they are pretty smart because they have conspired against children by eating their leftovers.

Since then I've been thinking, what else? What else is a purely maternal duty? Here is my list:

1) Give birth - but you already knew that.

2) Make sure the resident XYs have wearable underwear and socks

3) Purchase the household shampoo and conditioner

4) Buy stuff and  pack school lunches

5) Keep track of the toilet paper

6) Supervise the lights and darks sorting task of laundry (lest this mishap end in pink underwear)

7) Find STUFF! All stuff, general, every day, easy to find, STUFF! JUST STUFF!

8) Buy the corner thingies that keep sheets in place

9) Bring wine and cheese for all other mothers who frequent the school's lost and found bin. We have become very close.

10) Go around the house carrying loads of environmental guilt and turning off unused lights and electronics in order to preserve some kind of liveable planet for our children's children.

11) Crawl through car trunks - ok maybe that one is just me.

Go ahead, feel free to contribute your own. I am sure I have missed a few.

Thanksgiving mindful running.

Today I ran the yearly Granville Island tradition - the Turkey Trot. A race that I really like not only because it is mostly a flat route but also because the 10 kms follow the False Creek Sea Wall, one of the most gorgeous sights there are to behold. If you have not been to Vancouver, COME! walk it and find out for yourself.

Another good thing about the Turkey Trot is that it has THE best food at the end of the race. Today we were regaled with banana walnut loaf, bagabanoush, red pepper hummus, pistchio stuffed olives, assorted charcuterie and plenty of vegetables. A bachannalian feast. PLUS this year they offered massages, yes! massages! at the finish line!! Not bad eh?

Unfortunately, for me, I did not discover running until I was in my early forties (ugh! that fact that I can say early-forties and it applies to me makes me cringe) and I really wish I had come upon the happiness it brings much sooner. One of the best race time today was that of a 14 year old who ran the race in 37 minutes! I have to say I did not envy him his time (ok, maybe a little or even a lot) but I envied him the fact that he, at 14, is enjoying running already.

I am a slow runner, more snail than gazelle and I am not efficient at it. I have a short stride, extra arm movements and my breasts, see previous blogs to get informed :) and hips get in the way. I figure I am more like an overweight giraffe than cool sleek cheetah. Nonetheless I run. I once told my good friend "I think I should stop running I am so inefficient at it" and she answered "Oh, but do you love it?' Wise wise response. I do love it.

Why do I love it? For me every race has one incredibly pristine mindful moment that makes it all worth while. It usually occurs after the second kilometer when I have got my stride just right, I've establish a solid pace and the music is playing. I forget the aches and pains and it is all just happiness and clear mind. I stop dictating patient reports in my head, thinking of powerpoint slides that need to be made and stop making plans for the week. It is just me, music and running.

Picture today: I am running pretty much "alone" except for a few walkers pushing strollers because I was late for the start (which allowed me to have my own private starting gun!). I am going over the Burrard Street bridge, English Bay to the left, False Creek to the right, the sun shinning on the East and this song comes on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN_ze7QVYKg (listen to link).

Days they force you
Back under those covers
Lazy mornings they multiply
But glory's waiting
Outside your window
So wake on up from your slumber
And open up your eyes
Tongues are violent
Personal and focused
Tough to beat with
Your steady mind
But hearts are stronger after broken
So wake on up from your slumber
And open up your eyes
All these victims
Stand in line for
The crumbs that fall from the table
Just enough to get by
All the while
Your invitation
Wake on up from your slumber
Come on open up your eyes
Take from vandals
All you want now
But please don't trade it in for life
Replace the feeble
With the fable
Wake on up from your slumber
And open up your eyes
All these victims
Stand in line for
The crumbs that fall from the table
Just enough to get by
All the while
Your invitation
Wake on up from your slumber
Come on open up your eyes
Sing like we used to
Dance when you want to
Taste of the breakthrough
And open wide
All these victims
Stand in line for
The crumbs that fall from the table
Just enough to get by
All the while
Your invitation
Wake on up from your slumber
Come on open up your eyes
Sing like we used to
And dance like you want to
Open up your eyes.

And then IT happens an absolutely clear mindful moment "THIS is my life. THIS. IS. A. MOMENT. I am thankful and happy"