Southern Turkey

Holidays seem to come in all ways, shapes and forms. As this was Jordan's first time home since leaving for school it was important for her to be home with Pat, Ana and the family. So Keith, Jordan and Taylor spent the day at Ana's to break bird. As Jordan trekked to Jersey I trekked to Virginia for a solid weekend of turkey trotting, sunrises and milking cows while chasing the little dudes. 

It's not so easy being six hours away from the parents, Jess and the little dudes. I think the holiday juggle is much more difficult than I thought it would be. I guess, with time, the juggle will be less of an art and I'll get the hang of it. But it was nice noshing on farm fresh turkey, yams, stuffing and lots of yummy pies. Yay for holidays being deemed calorically negative. I embrace these 24 hours of holiday goodness: )

Thanks for the Giving

I have to confess my favorite part of the holiday season is all of our crazy train projects at school. There's such a sense of fulfillment doing good stuff. Monday night a handful of peeps helped me prep and stuff all the bags going out the following day for Project Seneca Turkey. We organized a total of thirty bags and even though we only had 25 signed up I've been doing this long enough that those extra five bags will inevitably by used.
Sitting on the loading dock placing bags of goods that would be lining the tables of many families in our community on Thanksgiving Day was nothing short of awesome. I'm proud of all the students and my colleagues who gathered the thirty turkeys, countless items of stuffing and cranberry sauce to heaps of baked cookies and breads. Love it!


As if Tuesday wasn't hectic enough the day was kicked off with our first official Pancake Palooza serving a full fledge pancake breakfast to over 90 students and faculty who signed up to donate their hair later in the day towards the Pantene Beautiful Lengths Project. All of the hair donated is going to be used for constructing wigs for individuals battling cancer. My thought is providing some solid carbs before such a selfless act was the least we could do. Peace, Love and Pancakes...the world is just a little bit lighter with pancakes and tie dye shirts. 

The assembly held later in the day (yes this is all still in the same day) left me speechless. Ninety students and faculty gathered before the student body to rock out some locks of goodness. What a way to start the break! Happy Thanksgiving : )

Two hands at a time

One of these years I'm treating myself to an "I Survived the Drug Squad Retreat" tee shirt. The experience is always powerful, but emotionally and physically draining. If I had the resources I would LOVE to have a charter bus. Not only would the kids have space to stretch their legs, but my body would not have to deal with the ever so epic jutting of springs from the seat and jarring motions of stopping and turning. Oy to the vey! That's a wish that I will throw out there and see if it, just maybe, has a shot of coming to fruition.
My body and mind are in a state of decompression as I head into 2.5 days of further craziness. But even though I'm exhausted so much of me is in awe of how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to be involved with so many stellar individuals. The kids were saturated with the theme of changing the world through their words, actions and decision. I believe that it isn't about going out and trying to conquer the world in some grandiose fashion, but more along the lines of altering others outlooks in life through our words aligning with our actions. I am excited, yet again, to see where the road leads these young people.
Just as with anything in life, some of them will listen and take on the challenge while others will allow the opportunity to slip through their fingertips. Some are ready and others are not; that's just how we're wired as people. But if just one takes the challenge the weekend will have been well worth it. The truth is it is so easy to get caught up in ourselves, but when you go against the grain and take the uphill challenge to go against all society tells us; your life will never be the same.

So as we go into a new week with Thanksgiving fast approaching I'll enjoy the next 12 hours of down time before Turkey madness ensues. I am grateful for so very much in life and hope to have some time over the latter part of the week to reflect and give thanks. 

24 hearts...24 lives

It's nothing short of a gift. As I embarked on another Drug Squad Retreat I have yet again been blown away at the experiences, growth and hearts of the kids I am so fortunate to work with. As we loaded on  a yellow bus Thursday morning bound for Virginia I observed the dynamics of the group and the beginning of their personalities coming together. Selecting the group is a challenge that evokes angst and stress due to the reality that I KNOW this WILL change the lives of each kid. Only a third who interview make it, but I am a believer in purpose, timing and the fact that these kids were chosen for a reason.

I'm in awe of watching a group of teens have the ability, so quickly, to open up about their personal challenges, heart aches, passions and the stark reality that they are determined to make a difference in life. Bam! I witnessed twenty four hearts with twenty four very different personalities begin to forge friendships that, in many cases, will go on far beyond their high school years. Life is beautiful and I feel so blessed to work with teens to the capacity that I do. I get to see eyes opening, hearts expanding and lives realigning. I am thankful for these opportunities and although my body is feeling a bit achy from the bus, sleeping on a wood floor and attempting to keep up with a heap of seventeen and eighteen year olds; I would not have it any other way.

Thanking, thinking, remembering

Last night I sat on my couch staring at a blank screen for some time trying to find the appropriate words to sum up my aunt's life for her obituary. That's not an easy thing to do. I used to be so much more articulate and fluid in my writing. It seems time and life threw a direct hit to that area of my life. But summing up our life in a few simple paragraphs is challenging and often comes short of depicting the individual as they rightly deserve. Blank screens unnerve me. 

But our memories are quite a powerful thing. I close my eyes I can hear my aunt's voice. In a second I can transport myself to her little apartment on Kennedy Boulevard and my senses are in full gear. Our lives are fragile and fleeting. 

So often we think we have forever. Today I remember Jared Leonard and the countless other men and women who have given their lives for our country. We are blessed to be in a part of the world where we can vote, we can speak our mind and we are free. I consider myself blessed to be an American and indebted to all who have ever worn a uniform and served this great country. Within the week it is my hope to see someone in uniform, thank them and buy them a cup of coffee or just simply thank them.
We hold back on exchanging words of encouragement for fear of seeming awkward or, just simply, holding off until 'next time.' Life is short, my friends. Say what you mean and mean what you say. I am thankful for my country. I am extremely indebted to all who serve. I love my family and take this day to not only reflect on our veterans, but the fact that my sister would have been thirty-one today; it's a hard thing to wrap my head around. I am thankful for the time we had together. Life is short. Live, laugh and love. It doesn't get any simpler than that. 

Exit 14 a

I spent the day in North Jersey with family. Even though a large percentage of Bayonne is still without electric it was an important day to just sort of be together. It has been a week since their power went out  and time seems to go much slower when you're constantly cold. I am so hoping that with night fall and a new day that power begins to return to homes and life can begin to resume with some sense of normalcy. There is still a lot of clean up and homes to reconstruct and the damage is much worse just a few miles north of them. 

There are presently two gas stations opened in Bayonne with thousands of cars in need of fuel. With that brings a very long stream of cars waiting, waiting and a little more waiting. I was able to bring a few containers of gas for a friend and family members. I haven't filled a tank via gas can and my hands, which still smell like gas, are quite the testament to that.
Yesterday my cousin waited in line for three hours for a tank of gas. It's a degree of madness that is ensuing a bit of panic and angst among many in the North East. The hope is that the supply will increase and the restrictions will soon be lifted. It's amazing how much we take for granted and are really so ill equipped for a state of emergency.


The shelters are all full and, fortunately, food supplies are streaming in consistently. It was awesome to take a car load of supplies and roll right into the family's turf. Blankets, diapers, baby formula, warm clothing and water made a lot of people happy. Good job people of Starbucks and Seneca! Woop! 

Jersey Strong

In the past few days the severity of Sandy's impact has become increasingly apparent. Within hours of being back in school Wednesday kids were scrambling and brainstorming for ways to raise money, gather supplies and provide encouragement to those who had been impacted. Posts and texts from family and friends in North Jersey waiting hours in line for a full tank of gas only to return to homes with no heat or power. It's insane and even though we were subjected to high winds and falling trees a few days ago I've already overheard people complaining in lines at the store over a shortage with a particular type of food, lack of circulars at a local pharmacy and delayed texting. We just had a hurricane people, get with it. 

Thirty miles away our fellow Jersey-ites have no power, no running water and in many cases have lost their homes. The shore lines have been pummeled. Thousands are living in temporary shelters. It is our responsibility to get involved, step up to the plate and do something. This morning Keith and I headed to AC with a car load of supplies provided by friends and a local Starbucks (shout out, Liz Froba, queen of the latte) to drop off at the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. FEMA has set up temporary housing directly across the street. I guess I was expecting the parking lot to have more supplies and cars unloading. Supplies were low and the need is only increasing. This is when I wish I could have a little magic wand power! 

On the flip side of things, it has been super encouraging to see how many people WANT to help, WANT to get involved and WANT to be part of the relief process. One stone makes a ripple, heaps of stones can make a wave! One of my dearest friends is a manager at Starbucks and, without hesitation, put the word out there and has already gathered a tremendous amount of items that is going directly to folks in LBI, AC and North Jersey. Bam! I also LOVE when kids get involved. Get the vision when you're young, baby! Friends of ours are pretty much super awesome parents for always initiating the 'get involved' mantra with their three kids. Jenna and Kate, only in middle school, were rocking out with sandwiches to feed our peeps in Philly on Tuesday along with gathering warm clothes for our friends in Bayonne. 

Tomorrow I head up to Bayonne to drop off a whole bunch of stuff to family and friends in Bayonne. Most of the town is still without electric and that makes for an extremely cold and inconvenient way of like for so many people. I am also looking forward to spending time with some of my family and taking the time to be together. Sometimes my heart and mind are stretched a bit too thin. The past week has been one of those times. Last week my aunt passed away and with all the craziness occurring up North normal rituals in loss become equivalent to the spin cycle in a wash. Everything is everywhere.
My heart is very overwhelmed right now with the devastation in Jersey along with the loss of my aunt. I am saddened for my mother who has lost a sister. I am heart heavy for a cousin who has lost her mother. And I am burdened for a woman that I wish could have had the opportunity to regain a quality of life she deserved, but will never have.
As the trek is made tomorrow, I do hope for time of solace even in all this craziness. Maybe before starting the day some time will be allocated for a good few minutes on a bench by the park with a cup of coffee. That will be my morning zen before the intensity begins. 

A heart for Niger

Friendship can be a pretty powerful thing. The older I get the more selective I am with whom I invest my time in and those I choose to surround myself with. My belief is that iron sharpens iron and I no longer have any desire to surround myself with anyone other than those who challenge, strengthen and encourage me as a person. In my opinion, there's already too much negative stuff we contend with on a daily basis in life. It may sound callous, but I don't have time for people who do not make me feel good about myself. I do not want to be a constant sounding board, therapist or dumping ground for negativity. No gracias. 

Over the past few years I have been amazed at the power of friendship and even those I may see very infrequently, due to time or distance. Friendship is an awesome thing. When I first returned to Jersey nearly nine years ago I met Deb who had recently moved to Jersey as well and was in the beginning stages of making a full transition to Niger to work at a clinic as an occupational therapist. I have always admired her heart for people, her selflessness and depth of faith in literally going to the farthest ends of the earth to serve others. 

It has been over a year since I last spent time with Deb, but this week we managed to catch up before she heads back to Niger later next month. We laughed, cried, shared stories, joys and heartaches. My heart and mind are in a state of ease and joy when I am with her. As I listened to her share of her struggles my heart ached for the things her eyes have seen. She is in her early thirties living smack dab in the desert faced with heat, language barriers, severe cultural differences and literally trying to save lives in a world (she very aptly described) that would be like transporting yourself back into the days of Moses. Poverty, malnutrition, women are viewed and treated as possessions and political instability are all part of her everyday. 

She uprooted herself from the comforts of home to go and serve others and use the knowledge she had been given in school to literally save lives as an occupational therapist. Her description of it all let my head spinning and heart aching. I wondered how she sleeps at night with the loss and heartbreak she witnesses on a daily basis. A few weeks before she left in one twenty four hour period the clinic lost 27 children to cholera. She knew each of these children; some more so than others. I listened to her daily duties, challenges and I am in awe of her and the people she serves with a passion that is unyielding. 

In lieu of the hurricane, Deb and the many other things swirling through my head this week I am left exhausted and feeling the tug to do more. I wish I had a magic wand. 

As the week has come to a close and the weekend begins with a very great sense of relief my hope is that my eyes gain a greater clarity to truly seek out those who are hurting and in need. I pray that my eyes and heart will gain a stronger sense of God's calling for me and in what ways I can be used to serve others. 

There is so much suffering and hurt in our world. It is so easy to stay in our comfort zone and not take the risk of stepping forward, reaching out our hands and hearts and doing something out of the ordinary for someone else.  I am so very grateful for friendships that challenge, sharpen and fuel me to evolve as a person. My prayer is that God will continue to open my eyes and sharpen my intuitions in working with others. I am thankful for my family, for my home, health and the million other things we so easily take for granted. I am thankful. 

Reality Check

I think most of us in Jersey and New York are accustomed to our local weather people blowing approaching storms and inclement weather conditions out of proportion. It's an easy thing to discount something that is so inconsistent and often fueled more by ratings than rationale thinking. A few days before the Hurricane Sandy rolled into town there were tell tale signs of her presence being made up the coast. Ominous clouds billowed above. Loaves of bread and water seemed to fly off the shelves. 

Our part of town didn't sustain too much damage, but taking in all the pictures, video clips and weather updates made my heart ache. Along the coast line homes were demolished, boats tossed in their marinas like toothpicks and our beloved Jersey boardwalks ripped apart and tossed along the waterways. 

As I drove up to Bayonne Wednesday afternoon the reality of how bad things continue to be set in. Bayonne, Jersey City, Newark and other surrounding neighborhoods essentially shut down. Driving through Bayonne was like playing a real live version of frogger. There were no stop lights. Every store along Broadway was dark. The occasional opened pizza shop all displayed the same CASH ONLY sign with a line of fifteen to twenty people being handed a slice of pizza through the store's window as to avoid theft. Cash only in an atm dependent world only to realize pretty quickly how invaluable that plastic card is when every bank and atm machine is not functioning.

Driving along the side streets little kids and adults could be seen bundled in their cars in vans trying to stay warm. But gas, something we so easily take for granted, is not the easiest to come by. I drove around through Bayonne and Jersey City and we couldn't locate one running gas station. It wasn't until I reached exit 11 of the Turnpike (Bayonne is 14a) that the first gas station could be sighted and the line of cars was easily fifty cars deep. 

I honestly have never seen anything like it in my life. Hudson County Park was totally taped off with trees that seem to have been there since the beginning of time with countless uprooted lying still on their sides. Trees hanging precariously over power lines, cars weaving in and out of side roads and people lining the streets in an effort to stay warm and pass the time. 

We need to keep the countless impacted by the Hurricane in our prayers. We need to help our neighbors, our loved ones and extend ourselves in a way that, maybe, you have never done before. Sort through your things. Locate a few blankets you might not have used in some time. Pack up any cases of water remaining from your Sandy stash. Throw left overs from your last trek to a hotel (you know you stash stuff...we won't judge) from shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, etc into a bag. Pass these items that we take for granted onto someone who could desperately use them. Contact the Red Cross, your area church or synagogue and help those who can use it. 

Don't just sit there...help out and I promise you'll feel pretty good.