SugarPotPi

This is SugarPotpie's favorite nephew named for her. He likes studying about solar systems and is a star gazer. He also likes lazers, and crystals and anything to do with lightwaves. He doesn't like spinach or green beans but he likes gophers.

We're all so glad Pi came to live with us now! His parents are on a subspace mission and aren't expected to return for 5 years! They didn't want to be away from Pi for so long, but as a family they discussed it and decided the opportunity as well as the rewards and the scientific discovery possible from this mission were worth so much that as a family they couldn't deny this adventure. Plus the Space Program Coordinators promised a full scholarship for Pi at the University Science Program in whatever studies Pi should choose as one of the perks for the two astronauts. And Pi gets to go to the base and talk with his parents and learn all kinds of new things while he's there, and use all sorts of technologically advanced equipment he would never have the opportunity to see at his age otherwise. It's really cool for all of them!

While Pi is here, Auntie Medicine and Uncle Fabled promised to make him their famous dishes - Thunderous Strawberry and Blueberry Compote Cinnamon Waffles with Fresh Whipped Cream and Chocolate Sprinkles and Alpine Lace Double Chipped Slorg Stew with Creme Sauce, respectively. Uncle Fabled picks fresh Creme sprouts and blossoms, depending on the season. for his sauce twice a week for this epicurean fantasy dish. Pi may gain a few pounds in these next 5 years, but he's growing so I'm sure he'll work it off.
On the weekends he plays squash with his friend Hubert, and during the week he rides his bike to and from School and over to the base. Plus twice a week he meets Uncle Fabled for flying lessons and afterwards they go fishing with the flys Fabled makes himself, and the fresh worms Pi digs up in Medicine's garden before bed the night before.
The others in the family are sure to rally round and find plenty of new things to keep Pi busy! If you have any ideas for Pi, you may want to drop Fabled or Medicine a note below.

Two Choices

Two Choices

What would you do?....you make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its

dedicated staff, he offered a question:

'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection.

Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.

Where is the natural order of things in my son?'

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued.. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'

Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.

In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.

Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the

plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact...

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.

The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay...

As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over..

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.

Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.


Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first!

Run to first!'

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.

He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'

Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.

By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball . the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.

He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third!

Shay, run to third!'

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

LuvlyPanda

When LuvlyPanda came to stay with us, it was a busy time and no one was entirely comfortable with the transition. We found out the problem was we just didn't talk enough, so we called a family meeting over steaks and green beans with peaches for desert one night last week. It went really well.
Of course every one was pretty tired, since Medicine just got out of the hospital and we all had been taking shifts staying with her while she recovered from her wound. But that time pulled everyone together as well, as things like that tend to. We all know how much we love each other because we care enough to be there for one another in times of need like this. That is family. When one has a problem, the others do every thing they can to understand and help eacho ther out. We're really lucky that way. We all really love each other.
Luvly Panda was new to our family but she was right there for Medicine! In fact, LuvlyPanda was with Medicine when she passed out, and she ran and got Mantia to help take her to the hospital. If she hadn't been there, Medicine might have bled to death.
If our family had lost Medicine it would be so sad. Medicine takes care of all of us, so every one of my pets was very glad they got to do this for her. It just shows that even the stronger one of us, who generally takes care of all of our wellness, sometimes needs to be cared for herself. But now Medicine is feeling much better.
When we were all talking this over, LuvlyPanda let us all know how proud she is of her new family. She was sent to live with us by my daughter, Haft2beu, and she felt a little lost and unsure because she normally only visited us and her home was with Haft2beu. Now she feels she really belongs. It's funny how going through difficulties together is sometimes what it takes to help us know how much care for someone, and find our place with them.

"Thank you, Haft2beu, for sending me home!" says LuvlyPanda

We also set a few goals, but we'll post that in a goals blog.