Flying High on Graduation Day!

“The tassel's worth the hassle!” 
~ Author Unknown

Mckenzie—May 28, 2010

When Peter Pan taught Wendy, John, and Michael how to fly he sang, “I'm flying . . . Look at me—way up high, Suddenly—here am I . . . I'm flying!” On the night I watched my youngest daughter, Mckenzie’s final school play, Peter Pan, marking the closing months of her high school technical theater days, I was flying high inside with emotion. I couldn’t really explain what was happening to me at that moment in time . . . but as Peter Pan rose into the air singing those immortal words, my eyes filled with tears and I began to cry. Here was my baby—the last of my children—ready to spread her wings of independence and fly away to college. Here she was ending her high school experience by designing and lighting the memorable show of the boy who never wanted to grow-up!

Today is Graduation Day! And while I know there will be other graduations in the future for extended family members and grandchildren, I know there will never be another high school experience for one of our children. This is it—the end of an era, leaving us both joyful and melancholy at the same time. Erma Bombeck, humorous newspaper columnist from the mid 1960s to the late 1990s, perhaps expressed it best when she said, “Graduation day is tough for adults. They go to the ceremony as parents. They come home as contemporaries. After [eighteen] years of child-raising, they are unemployed!”

So in celebration of your day Mckenzie, I present the following bit of humor, a poem written and performed by Dr. Seuss at Lake Forest College’s 1977 graduation exercises, where he received an Honorary Degree. It is Dr. Seuss’ only known commencement address.

Background Story: Eugene Hotchkiss III, president of Lake Forest College from 1970 to 1993, told the background story about this memorable graduation:

“On Commencement morning, as the honored guests robed in their academic regalia, I asked Mr. Geisel if he would be willing to say but a few words, acknowledging his degree. His silence was penetrating. Finally the time came to read his citation. As Faculty Marshals stepped forth to place the hood over his head, I spoke these penultimate words, for which I must credit my wife, Sue: “We proclaim you not the ‘Cat in the Hat’ but the ‘Seuss in the Noose’.” And then I awarded him the College’s degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa."

"At that moment, fearing his response, I shook his hand in a whisper and asked him if he would be willing to say a few words. He reached under his academic gown, announcing loudly for all to hear that it was ‘a bathrobe,’ pulled out a piece of paper from his shirt pocket and turned to the microphone. And the rest, as they say, is history!”



On Dr. Seuss’s piece of paper were the following words:

My Uncle Terwilliger on the Art of Eating Popovers

By Theodor Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss

My uncle ordered popovers

From the restaurant's bill of fare.

And, when they were served,

He regarded them with a penetrating stare . . .

Then he spoke great Words of Wisdom

As he sat there on that chair:

“To eat these things,” said my uncle,

“You must exercise great care.”

“You may swallow down what's solid . . .

BUT . . .

You must spit out the air!”

And as you partake of the world's bill of fare,

That's darned good advice to follow.

Do a lot of spitting out the hot air

And be careful what you swallow!

~ Dr. Seuss


[An original poem composed for the 99th Commencement of 
Lake Forest College by Theodor Seuss Geisel; June 4, 1977
]

“All our dreams can come true . . . if we have the courage 
to pursue them!” ~ Walt Disney

May Babies—Lucky People!

“It’s May! It’s May! The lusty month of May! 
 That lovely month when ev'ryone goes blissfully astray!” 
~ Lyrics from “The Lusty Month of May,” Camelot

Today, on the 24th of the current lusty month of May, it snowed here in Utah! You’ve gotta love the unpredictability of this joyous month.

The saying goes that “April showers bring May flowers,” but in my family May has always showered baby girls! Three out of four daughters born to my parent’s were May babies, including me. Joyfully, my husband and I even had a lusty month baby of our own.

I have always loved being born in May, as flowers emerge beneath their winter coats and crops begin to sprout. There are people who even believe that being born in May is “lucky” because people born during the summer months seem to have a more positive outlook on life than those born during the winter months. My own great, great grandmother, Annie, was born during the summer months and they said she “always looked on the bright side of life!”

Scientists think the difference in outlook in summer month babies stems from the effect that daylight hours may have on dopamine, a brain signaling chemical, and early brain development of the fetus. At any rate, I’ve always considered myself to have a positive outlook and a good sense of humor. So I’m lucky to have been born a May baby, drawing in all that positive summer light and energy!

My daughter, Ashley, was a late May birthday gift to me. She was intended to have been an early present, but her due date came and went, along with my birth date, before she made her anticipated arrival. We’ve always teased her that she has been running a little late ever since!

I remember the day Ashley was born—as if it were yesterday. Born in the fifth month of the year, she was our fifth child and our fourth baby girl, born May 24th, just five days after my birthday. Although she was over eight pounds, she looked so little—petite, pink and cute. I couldn’t wait to take her home and go shopping for a “pretty in pink” ruffled blessing dress. For my other children—their blessing outfits were gifted, but with Ashley I was looking forward to picking out something special by myself. After having had twins prior to Ashley’s birth, one baby seemed easy—a piece of cake, and we were relaxed, cool and calm—pros at the wheel of parenting an infant. We sat back, joyously in love with our newest arrival, and just embraced our happiness. Ashley was welcomed into a home of ready made sisters and a brother, and having four older siblings meant her needs were instantly met. I don’t think we ever heard her cry hard until I weaned her at 11 months (she didn’t want to take a bottle).

I remember the day we brought Ashley home from the hospital. We had a shortened hospital stay due to flooding in Utah and water contamination. Not wanting to nurse my new baby with drinking fluids consisting of fruit juice and sugared soda pop, I opted for home. It was sunny and warm—a perfect “May” day, no need for a baby blanket of any kind. Prior to Ashley’s birth we’d built in our basement to make room for more children and because it was a beautiful day and I felt wonderful, we stopped on the way home to pick out brick for our downstairs fireplace! Afterwards we took our baby home to summer vacation and lazy summer days, quickly learning how to manage a household full of five children under nine years old.

Interestingly, the month of May was named after the goddess, Maia. In Greek mythology, Maia was the oldest of the seven daughters of Atlas—the most beautiful and also the shyest. In Roman mythology, Maia was identified with Maia Maiestas, a goddess equivalent to a goddess of spring. Like the goddesses Maia, the month of May represents the beauty of spring as it shyly comes forth to welcome the sunshine after a long winter nap. May also represents national holidays like Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. It is also home to little known celebrations like National Salad Month, National Egg Month, National Barbecue Month, National Hamburger Month, and Fungal Infection Awareness Month—now known as Lyme Disease Awareness Month.

May’s Birthstone is the “Emerald,” representative of “the green of life and enduring love!” Although almost all emeralds contain numerous flaws and cracks, these rare and valuable gemstones are the most beautiful, most intense, radiant green that can possibly be imagined. The green of the emerald is the color of life and of the springtime, but it has also for centuries been the color of beauty and of constant love. In top quality, fine emeralds are even more valuable than diamonds! I like to think that we who are May babies are much like the Emerald—beautiful, loving—rare gems, even with our numerous flaws and cracks! Hopefully—like the Emerald gemstones of May, we are still valuable in God’s eyes, even with our imperfections.

May’s Flower is the “Lily-of-the-Valley,” representative of “Faith, Courage, and Love.” The Lily-of-the-Valley is an old-fashioned delicate perennial, with tiny bell shaped flowers that bloom in the month of May. However, there is not anything delicate about this hardy shade-lover. Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis) is a tough-as-nails perennial that will keep going after many others fail to thrive. Throughout my childhood, my dad used to loving refer to me as gentle and loving—”Linda Lamb.” I knew my parents loved me long before I knew I was a child of God—loved as His daughter. Who would have imagined that an unknown disease called “Lyme” would teach me of my true worth in His eyes and make a formerly tiny flower, tough as nails—surviving in the face of uncertainty and personal challenges!

Happy Birthday Ashley! 

 Here’s to my own little tough as nails beauty—a loving, lucky,
child of May!

“The world's favorite season is the spring. 
 
All things seem possible in May.” ~ Edwin Way Teale

It's May!

Tis like the birthday of the world,


When earth was born in bloom,

The light is made of many dyes,

The air is all perfume:

There's crimson buds, and white and blue,

The very rainbow showers


Have turned to blossoms where they fell,


And sown the earth with flowers.

~ Thomas Hood, Humorist and Poet

(May 23, 1799 –May 3, 1845)

Our Deepest Fear

Each of us can have two stories . . . The one we present to our family and friends, the person we desire and strive to be, and the more vulnerable story we sometimes hide . . . on the surface the same, but a story perhaps hidden with unrevealed secrets and unfathomable fears. Each story is a part of who we are. Yet sometimes the undiscovered stories hidden beneath our layers of mistrust, can lead to our deepest fears. If your loved ones discovered your secret inner thoughts and the fears of your youth, would they understand, or would they judge you without wanting to know more or understand? Perhaps there is pain, intermittently hidden, recreated into a new reality, somehow inappropriate for emotional relationships that have been set on a pedestal, desiring to be ideal.

There are secrets that we keep of little consequence, as their discovery would only prove embarrassing or humorous at most. Then there are also the secrets hidden deep within our family history, desirous to break free, yet fearful of reproach. Discovery of a family secret can be devastating to the spirit for a season, with feelings of betrayal and mistrust taking center stage. Sometimes we question the existence of the secret, even when presented with overwhelming evidence . . . denying the painful truth, wondering if instead, it is just a dream--or perhaps a nightmare.

Family secrets, the ones that are seemingly buried deep beneath the innermost places of the soul, the ones lived with, yet convinced public revelation would result in personal destruction if ever divulged, can never stay completely hidden. Somehow they are eventually unearthed, tumbling to the surface like rotting old dinosaur bones that were assumed nonexistent. Remarkably, secrets unearthed from their buried tombs of lies, bring freedom to the spirit! Where confusion dwelt—confidence, strength and courage emerge. Old secrets released lose their energy of importance, becoming powerless to their victims. It’s then we discover, as the secrets are finally revealed, that they were always a cancerous tumor growing on our souls, eating slowly away at the picture perfect facade they tried to portray—keeping us from our true identity, and basking in God’s bright light.

Marianne Williamson's widely acclaimed motivational poem, “Our Deepest Fear,” is in reality not a poem at all, but an excerpt from her book, “A Return to Love.” It has been inspiring people for decades with its profoundly resonating message about our fear of greatness, of standing out from the pack and letting our inner light shine.

 If you've ever felt that paralyzing fear of stepping forward and presenting yourself to public scrutiny, you may have found your first impulse was to label it a ‘fear of failure.’ But in Our Deepest Fear, Marianne Williamson addresses the other side of that feeling. The fear of being better than your peers . . . perhaps even daring to be the best!


Our Deepest Fear has such inspirational power that it has now become a stand-alone mantra for a generation of exceptional individuals who wish to motivate themselves and others to live up to their fullest potential. It is considered to be an anthem for a contemporary generation of positive seekers. It's a powerful message! Enjoy.

Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?”

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking

so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give

other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our fear,

our presence automatically liberates others.

Taken From “A Return to Love,” By Marianne Williamson

Lyme Disease Awareness Month

The month of May has been proclaimed as Lyme Disease Awareness Month!

As warm weather arrives and people spend more time outdoors, it becomes more important to acknowledge the impact of Lyme disease in our community, especially with the recent events in the Lehi, Utah neighborhood. However, residents who are aware of the threat can easily take steps to protect themselves. I was completely unaware of the existence of this disease 15 years ago when I unsuspectingly crossed paths with this mysterious malady.

Lyme disease is a serious bacterial infection that is commonly misunderstood. There is a widespread misperception that Lyme disease is rare or nonexistent in Utah. However the tick that spreads this disease can be carried by deer, squirrels, rodents, birds or even family pets, which means virtually no place is safe from the potential of infection.

Early indications of infection of Lyme disease can include a bull’s eye rash and flu-like symptoms. If treated immediately and appropriately, Lyme disease can usually be cured. If Lyme disease is misdiagnosed or goes untreated, it can cause long-term health problems, including neurological disorders, memory loss, crippling muscle and joint pain, disabling fatigue, psychological disorders or even death. Inflammation is a “bonfire” produced by the immune system in reaction to allergies, infections, poor diet, chemicals, heavy metals, and intestinal dysbiosis. It is the inflammatory response that produces many of the symptoms of Lyme disease.

Lyme Disease Points to Ponder:
1. Lyme disease is much more common in Utah than people realize.
2. There are documented cases of individuals (and entire families) who contracted Lyme disease while camping in our local mountains.
3. There is a Lyme Disease support group in Utah that meet every month to provide to provide patients and families with support and education.
4. There are VERY FEW Lyme literate healthcare providers in Utah. Many patients are forced to go out of state for treatment.
5. Lyme disease is the most widespread vector-borne disease in the USA and is a major problem worldwide. Ticks know no borders and respect no boundaries. A patient's county of residence does not accurately reflect his or her Lyme disease risk.
6. In 2007, 27,244 cases of Lyme disease were reported to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). That is 2,287 cases per month, 571 cases each week, 77 cases per day, and 3 people each hour.
7. Lyme disease is under-reported. Of the reported cases only approximately 23,000 per year meet the strict criteria. The CDC has gone on record saying that they estimate the official cases reported may be 10% of the total number of cases that would be accepted if all cases were reported, so 230,000 new cases per year is likely the reality.
8. Fewer than 50% of patients with recall a tick bite. In some studies this number is as low as 15% in culture-proven infection with the Lyme spirochete. Adult deer ticks are about the size of sesame seeds.
9. Lyme disease has been frequently misdiagnosed, especially in absence of the rash, as MS, ALS, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Autism, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and others. Lyme disease is often referred to as “The Great Imitator,” as it can virtually imitate any symptom of any disease.
10. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disorder in the United States. Lyme disease can affect the joints, nervous system, heart, skin, and eyes.

Reducing Your Exposure to Ticks—Your Best Defense: 

1. Avoid Tick Infested Areas: Ticks prefer wooded and bushy areas with tall grass and leaf litter. When you do enter tick areas, walk in the middle of trails to avoid contact with overgrown grass, bushes, and leaf litter.

2. Dress Appropriately: Wear long pants, long-sleeve shirts, and long socks to keep ticks off your skin. Wear white or light-colored clothing making it easier to spot ticks. Wear a hat and tie back long hair. Always wear shoes (no bare feet or sandals). Tuck pant legs into socks or boots and tuck shirts into pants to help keep ticks outside of clothing. Taping the area where your pants and socks meet can prevent ticks from crawling under clothes. Do not sit directly on the ground or near stone walls.

3. Tick Repellents: Spray tick repellent on clothes and shoes before entering areas infested with ticks.

4. Check for Ticks: Perform daily tick checks after being outdoors, even in your own yard. You should also inspect your pets. Carefully inspect all parts of your clothing, skin, and body including: armpits, back of the knee, nape of the neck, navel area, scalp, and groin area. Remove any ticks before they become engorged (swollen with blood).



What If I Find a Tick?

1. If you do find a tick imbedded in your skin, do NOT panic. Not all ticks are infected. Infected ticks normally cannot begin transmitting the spirochete (the bacterium that causes Lyme disease infection) until it has been attached for about 36-48 hours.

2. Keep in mind, if you do find a deer tick attached to your skin that has not yet become engorged, it probably has not been there long enough to transmit Lyme disease infection.

3. You should remove a tick immediately! However, improper tick removal increases the chance of the tick transmitting infection. To remove a biting tick, grasp it as close to the skin as possible with fine-pointed tweezers and pull straight out slowly and steadily. Disinfect the bite site and SAVE THE TICK for possible testing. Ticks can be tested easier than humans. 

4. Avoid crushing or squishing the tick's body. Avoid getting tick fluids on your skin.

5. Never use petroleum jelly, mineral oil, matches, nail polish, or other products to remove a tick. Removal methods such as these could actually backfire, causing the tick to excrete or regurgitate out bacteria.

When to Take Antibiotics: (If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions.)

1. Were you in an area where Lyme disease is common when you acquired the tick bite?

2. Was the tick attached for at least one full day?

3. Has it been less than three days since you removed the tick or since it fell off?

4. Do you feel strangely tired, flu-like, or achy all over since you were bitten?