Today I read an article about a mother who shook (and killed) her 3-month old baby for crying while she was playing a game on Facebook. This coming after I taught a lesson on Shaken Baby Syndrome to a class of 5th graders on Tuesday... It might sound odd to teach something so simple as "never shake a baby" to children (who will later become parents, mind you), because isn't it obvious or shouldn't their parents teach them? But this story clearly demonstrates the need for more education around infant safety. And if we don't teach our children, when will they learn?
The lesson I taught this week required me to use an egg and a glass jar to show the effect of shaking on an infant brain. Imagine that the yolk of the egg is like a brain and the egg white, brain fluid. If you bounce the jar gently up and down (like many parents do to calm their babies), the yolk stays in tact. However, if you shake the jar sharply, the yolk splatters. It's scrambled. Now, imagine that is your baby's brain. Or your niece's brain. Or your grandson's brain...
My "smile on" today?
Thank you to my instructors for giving me the skills to teach kids about infant safety. I feel hopeful that I'm helping to educate the next generation of parents.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
To my Grandma C...
When I was around 8-10 years old, my grandmother taught me how to knit. To this day, I can still picture in my mind the first item I ever made - a small, maroon "bag" that had many holes in it from where I dropped stitches.
Over the years, my knitting skills improved, though the difficulty level of projects remained stagnate. Let's just say, I made quite a few scarves over the next decade... Red scarves, blue scarves, k1 p1 scarves, scarves with ribbing, scarves with fringe (this is starting to sound like a Dr. Seuss book!).
Finally, two years ago I decided to try something a little more difficult. I googled for knitting patterns and finally picked one titled "Nob Hill" (named after a neighborhood in San Francisco). I invested in the appropriate sized knitting needles, 6 skeins of high quality yarn, a set of tapestry needles, and a crochet hook, and set to work.
After a few months, I completed approximately 90% of the pattern - everything except the collar. But life happened and I set the project aside for awhile under my bed.
Well, you know what happens to things that are put aside under beds...
It took over a year and several changes of address before I finally pulled out the 9/10th finished sweater and decided to complete it. That was 2 days ago.
And now...
Drum roll please...
The sweater is complete!!
Grandma,
Thank you for teaching me to knit!! Without you, I wouldn't have ever been able to make my own sweater or prove that sometimes an unfinished, seemingly forgotten, long lost project can be completed.
I have much more to thank you for, but I'll save that for a later date.
Much love,
Your Granddaughter
Over the years, my knitting skills improved, though the difficulty level of projects remained stagnate. Let's just say, I made quite a few scarves over the next decade... Red scarves, blue scarves, k1 p1 scarves, scarves with ribbing, scarves with fringe (this is starting to sound like a Dr. Seuss book!).
Finally, two years ago I decided to try something a little more difficult. I googled for knitting patterns and finally picked one titled "Nob Hill" (named after a neighborhood in San Francisco). I invested in the appropriate sized knitting needles, 6 skeins of high quality yarn, a set of tapestry needles, and a crochet hook, and set to work.
After a few months, I completed approximately 90% of the pattern - everything except the collar. But life happened and I set the project aside for awhile under my bed.
Well, you know what happens to things that are put aside under beds...
It took over a year and several changes of address before I finally pulled out the 9/10th finished sweater and decided to complete it. That was 2 days ago.
And now...
Drum roll please...
The sweater is complete!!
Grandma,
Thank you for teaching me to knit!! Without you, I wouldn't have ever been able to make my own sweater or prove that sometimes an unfinished, seemingly forgotten, long lost project can be completed.
I have much more to thank you for, but I'll save that for a later date.
Much love,
Your Granddaughter
Monday, September 20, 2010
To ?...
Isn't it amazing how there are times in life when you can look ahead and say "Three days from now, I'm going to know how to do ______"? When you actually are able to recognize that in the near future you will acquire new knowledge or a new skill?
Tomorrow (and Wednesday and Thursday), I am attending a training to be a facilitator of Roots of Empathy. An amazing program that seeks to increase empathy and decrease aggressive behaviors in school children. What astounds me is how I can sit here and say: In exactly three days, I'll know how to teach these children this incredible curriculum. I will be able to impart to them this knowledge of which I was previously unaware.
In essence: I can predict the future.
Cool.
Dear ? (because I'm not exactly sure who would take credit for this... do you?)
Thank you for enabling me to be a life long student. I appreciate that though I have a 40+ hour a week job (and one I love at that), I am able to keep my appetite for new knowledge and skills.
I am incredibly thankful to continue to have opportunities to better myself and I hope I will always yearn for more.
Sincerely,
A lover of learning.
Tomorrow (and Wednesday and Thursday), I am attending a training to be a facilitator of Roots of Empathy. An amazing program that seeks to increase empathy and decrease aggressive behaviors in school children. What astounds me is how I can sit here and say: In exactly three days, I'll know how to teach these children this incredible curriculum. I will be able to impart to them this knowledge of which I was previously unaware.
In essence: I can predict the future.
Cool.
Dear ? (because I'm not exactly sure who would take credit for this... do you?)
Thank you for enabling me to be a life long student. I appreciate that though I have a 40+ hour a week job (and one I love at that), I am able to keep my appetite for new knowledge and skills.
I am incredibly thankful to continue to have opportunities to better myself and I hope I will always yearn for more.
Sincerely,
A lover of learning.
Friday, September 3, 2010
To my adorable godson...
Dear Seamus,
Today I spent a wonderful few hours with you and your lovely mama. You were as cute as a button, crawling and drooling all over the place. It's pretty amazing what a speedy cruiser you've become!
Whenever I'm around babies, I always feel a sense of peacefulness - I truly believe in "baby therapy." And being around you has that exact affect on me.
So, Seamus, thank you for reminding me of the power of babies. Whenever your Auntie Suz is having a rough day, it only takes a beautiful smile from you or a slobbery "kiss" to make it all better.
Love you, baby!
Hugs and kisses,
Your favorite aunt.
Today I spent a wonderful few hours with you and your lovely mama. You were as cute as a button, crawling and drooling all over the place. It's pretty amazing what a speedy cruiser you've become!
So, Seamus, thank you for reminding me of the power of babies. Whenever your Auntie Suz is having a rough day, it only takes a beautiful smile from you or a slobbery "kiss" to make it all better.
Love you, baby!
Hugs and kisses,
Your favorite aunt.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
To Tiffany R. and Kyle H...
Dear Tiff and Kyle (and Olivia too!),
Just wanted to write a quick thank you for allowing myself and Greg to stay with you for that lovely week in June. It's amazing how many adventures we can pack in just 7 days, but somehow whenever I'm with you guys we find a way to do it!
I don't think I'll ever forget our first baseball game at Yankee Stadium or baking the blackberry crumble. Or our night at the brewery in Brooklyn and Sweet Revenge cupcakes! Good times :)
I hope that you both can come visit us in Seattle and that our NY family will be together once again!
Love you guys!
Suz
Just wanted to write a quick thank you for allowing myself and Greg to stay with you for that lovely week in June. It's amazing how many adventures we can pack in just 7 days, but somehow whenever I'm with you guys we find a way to do it!
I don't think I'll ever forget our first baseball game at Yankee Stadium or baking the blackberry crumble. Or our night at the brewery in Brooklyn and Sweet Revenge cupcakes! Good times :)
I hope that you both can come visit us in Seattle and that our NY family will be together once again!
Love you guys!
Suz
Monday, June 28, 2010
To a NJ Transit Driver...
I am currently sitting in the living room of my friend's apartment. It's 71 degrees and 8:52 in the morning. If you think that I can't possibly be in Seattle, then you are absolutely right! Last Tuesday, Greg and I ventured across the country to visit friends in the Big Apple (New York City in case you aren't caught up on city nicknames). And this is where my tale begins...
Imagine you have just exited a plane after having sat for a 5 hour flight. You're tired, uncomfortable, and a little unsure as to where you should be headed next. Slowly you orient yourself to your surroundings and begin the long trek across the airport to find the ground transportation that will carry you to your final destination. After stopping for directions several times and a short bathroom break, you finally arrive at the bus stop only to see a Port Authority bound bus driving away from the curb. Fortunately the next one is in 15 minutes. So you wait. After what feels like forever, the next bus arrives and you happily board thinking, "NYC, here I come!"
Half an hour later, those excited thoughts turn to ones of frustration... For the bus you are traveling on has broken down on the side of an exit ramp. You've heard nothing from the bus driver, save that he cannot go forward due to mechanical problems. Passengers around you are grumbling and you can feel tension in the air. Several riders make their way to the front of the bus to talk with the driver, but one by one they return to their seats with no new information. 30 minutes pass by. The bus driver makes an announcement, which you can barely hear. Snippets of the dialogue reach your ears, but that's about it. You now know that a new bus should eventually be coming to pick you up, but there is no way of knowing when. Another 15 minutes pass by. At this point you are angry, tired, hungry, and uncomfortable. You make the decision to disembark the bus and wait outside. A small crowd is gathered around a clipboard, as people write down their names and contact information. There's a chance we may be getting a refund, but no one knows for sure (of course!). You also find out that the driver has been waving by buses who gesture that they're willing to stop and help!
Finally, a NJ Transit bus pulls over and someone quickly runs over to the find out where it's going. Success! This bus is headed to Port Authority Bus Station! Unfortunately, as your traveling partner runs to grab your luggage from the broken down bus, the transit bus starts to close its doors. Frantically you race after it, shouting,"Wait!!" The kind bus driver reopens the door and after hearing your plight ("we've been waiting over an hour, just have to get our luggage..."), he promptly pulls over the curb, opens the luggage storage compartment and begins loading people onto the bus. Then finally, and only after everyone who desires has boarded the bus, he closes the door and drives into New York City.
Dear Kind Sir,
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for rescuing us from the side of the exit ramp. You could have driven by, like many other bus drivers, but instead you took it upon yourself to stop.
You are much appreciated, not only for safely delivering us into the city, but for making sure our trip did not start entirely on the wrong foot.
You are truly a good samaritan!
Warmly,
A Very Relieved and Appreciative Passenger/Traveler
Imagine you have just exited a plane after having sat for a 5 hour flight. You're tired, uncomfortable, and a little unsure as to where you should be headed next. Slowly you orient yourself to your surroundings and begin the long trek across the airport to find the ground transportation that will carry you to your final destination. After stopping for directions several times and a short bathroom break, you finally arrive at the bus stop only to see a Port Authority bound bus driving away from the curb. Fortunately the next one is in 15 minutes. So you wait. After what feels like forever, the next bus arrives and you happily board thinking, "NYC, here I come!"
Half an hour later, those excited thoughts turn to ones of frustration... For the bus you are traveling on has broken down on the side of an exit ramp. You've heard nothing from the bus driver, save that he cannot go forward due to mechanical problems. Passengers around you are grumbling and you can feel tension in the air. Several riders make their way to the front of the bus to talk with the driver, but one by one they return to their seats with no new information. 30 minutes pass by. The bus driver makes an announcement, which you can barely hear. Snippets of the dialogue reach your ears, but that's about it. You now know that a new bus should eventually be coming to pick you up, but there is no way of knowing when. Another 15 minutes pass by. At this point you are angry, tired, hungry, and uncomfortable. You make the decision to disembark the bus and wait outside. A small crowd is gathered around a clipboard, as people write down their names and contact information. There's a chance we may be getting a refund, but no one knows for sure (of course!). You also find out that the driver has been waving by buses who gesture that they're willing to stop and help!
Finally, a NJ Transit bus pulls over and someone quickly runs over to the find out where it's going. Success! This bus is headed to Port Authority Bus Station! Unfortunately, as your traveling partner runs to grab your luggage from the broken down bus, the transit bus starts to close its doors. Frantically you race after it, shouting,"Wait!!" The kind bus driver reopens the door and after hearing your plight ("we've been waiting over an hour, just have to get our luggage..."), he promptly pulls over the curb, opens the luggage storage compartment and begins loading people onto the bus. Then finally, and only after everyone who desires has boarded the bus, he closes the door and drives into New York City.
Dear Kind Sir,
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for rescuing us from the side of the exit ramp. You could have driven by, like many other bus drivers, but instead you took it upon yourself to stop.
You are much appreciated, not only for safely delivering us into the city, but for making sure our trip did not start entirely on the wrong foot.
You are truly a good samaritan!
Warmly,
A Very Relieved and Appreciative Passenger/Traveler
Sunday, June 20, 2010
To my dad...
Dear Daddy,
I've been asked many times about the influential people in my life and I always make a point to talk about you. When I was younger, I remember knowing that you had once been an aeronautical engineer at Boeing, but then decided to become a nurse practitioner instead. I never really understood your choice though, until I began to examine my own path in life. When I finally realized that you had made this life changing decision because of your principles and values (money not being one of them!), it made a huge impact on my own career choice. You inspired me to pursue a career of compassion and empathy, rather than one purely for financial gain. You taught me the importance of holding true to my beliefs and never losing sight of what I value most. Thank you for that.
Dad, I also appreciate how patient and supportive you were (and still are!) of your daughters. I vividly recall our games of tickle monster (never realizing at the time that you weren't actually ticklish) and how you'd pretend to flush 3 giggling piles of towels down the toilet after bath time. You were always willing to play barbies with your girls or let us dress you up in play clothes. You encouraged us to use our imaginations.
Now today is Father's Day and I want you to know how much we (your daughters) appreciate you and all you have done for us.
Thank you for your unconditional support and love - we are so lucky to have you!
I love you!
Love,
Your Daughter Suz
I've been asked many times about the influential people in my life and I always make a point to talk about you. When I was younger, I remember knowing that you had once been an aeronautical engineer at Boeing, but then decided to become a nurse practitioner instead. I never really understood your choice though, until I began to examine my own path in life. When I finally realized that you had made this life changing decision because of your principles and values (money not being one of them!), it made a huge impact on my own career choice. You inspired me to pursue a career of compassion and empathy, rather than one purely for financial gain. You taught me the importance of holding true to my beliefs and never losing sight of what I value most. Thank you for that.
Dad, I also appreciate how patient and supportive you were (and still are!) of your daughters. I vividly recall our games of tickle monster (never realizing at the time that you weren't actually ticklish) and how you'd pretend to flush 3 giggling piles of towels down the toilet after bath time. You were always willing to play barbies with your girls or let us dress you up in play clothes. You encouraged us to use our imaginations.
Now today is Father's Day and I want you to know how much we (your daughters) appreciate you and all you have done for us.
Thank you for your unconditional support and love - we are so lucky to have you!
I love you!
Love,
Your Daughter Suz
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