What a great day with C.A.S.T. For Kids Foundation—giving kiddos with special needs the experience, skills & memories of fishing! Our Cap’n was incredible and kept us out on the boat for nearly 4 hours, cruising around Lake Washington (and stalking the homes of Bill Gates and Russel Wilson among others). And…turns out I have two stellar fisherpeople in my home! Even if touching worms and fish are not to be had.
Learning how to cast and hold her rod.
Pulling in his first catch! It was a little one and he chose to photo-document rather than touch the fish. I'm sure none of our fish today minded being catch & release. ;)
I was so impressed with how they enjoyed their first boat trip!
Mila pulling in her first catch--a three pounder! She was NOT going to touch it, but she sure was proud of herself to ask Cap'n Adam to help her again.
Isaac pulled in a few more!
(Isaac used his AAC at school to tell his friends about his fishing experience...and I quote: "I went fishing. It big. I feel sick. Gross". hahaha! He really did not want to touch that fish!)
Mila staged this photo after the boat went over a few waves!
Cap'n Adam was the best!
Both kids left with their own fishing poles, a tackle box full of supplies and a fishing plaque to commemorate the day. And it was a good day! I love it when my kids have new experiences, and C.A.S.T for Kids made sure the had made incredible memories. Made my momma heart happy.
For the last several years on 9/11, I've been jotting down my memories of my experiences of that day in 2001. I was 2,800 miles from planes crashing and people dying, but the fear that reverberated to the West Coast was tangible. Growing up, my family didn't know anyone directly impacted by the attacks on Pearl Harbor, but my grandfather did survive the labor camps in Germany. The letters he wrote to me in the 4th grade when I asked him about his experiences (unbeknownst to me it was a taboo topic within The Family) were priceless and have been a gift to the entire side of my mother's family. I started jotting my memories because someday my kids or grand nieces & nephews will have a school project and remember "Auntie Des said something about 9/11 once, let's ask her" (And Future Desiree will very much thank me for doing all the work while the noggin is still firing on all cylinders).
Let's never forget.
I was a 24 year old trauma RN at the pediatric hospital on 9/11. The first plane had already hit before I left for work. The second plane hit while I was doing morning rounds. When the Pentagon was hit my supervisor found me and boldly but quietly whispered in my ear..."get as many kids out of here as possible. The Navy has deployed ships out of Bremerton (local navy base). Expect mass causalities. You aren't going home for a few days so call whomever you need to now." I wont ever forget the sound of her nursing shoes on the pergo floors as she walked away.
We ended up being far from any disaster and I was home within 24 hours but I don't know that I'll ever have the vocabulary to describe the core rattling uncertainty of that day.
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There are two sounds I won't forget surroundings the days of 9/11...
The first, the voice of Peter Jennings of ABC news. He was my chosen trusted media personnel and seemed the most engaged and sensitive to the horror we were all finding out about together as a nation. I remember during one live broadcast he turned around and yelled at his staff behind the scenes for being too loud. "I need to talk to the people (pointing frantically at the camera) None of us know what's going on!".
The second...the deafening quiet in the skies. I didn't realize how numb you become to airplanes and helicopters above you until they are gone. When flights resumed, I was in the Costco parking lot when I saw/heard the first plane fly overhead and I literally shuttered at the noise. So loud.
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Our worlds shut down FAST. It wasn’t the political gong show that has been the COVID “shut down” in 2020. It was one giant unified scream that everything needs to stop, we aren’t safe. It was almost as if everyone actually had listened to the safety brief at the beginning of a flight...secure your own mask then help the people around you. And we did. We walked around with numb faces, 1000% unable to process but we helped each other and made sure strangers were cared for, especially the ones who didn’t look like us. No one was throwing a fit for their individual rights, we were literally giving each other hugs. I’m sure there were whiney idiots among us (they are always somewhere) but they got ostracized fast. It wasn’t the time. It was the unity that was impressive. A respectfulness for the pain & grief that needed to take place. Sports cancelled. Comedy shows cancelled. Returning to normal wasn’t rushed. We all just understood the events of this day changed EVERYTHING and we needed time to take care of each other.
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I didn't grow up in a military family. My immigrant-mother was very clear to teach us to place our hands over our hearts (and to cry!) when the National Anthem was played at a ballgame or an event, but I was otherwise raised without an emotional connection to active duty, military veterans or flag protocol. The fall of 2001, my brother's college buddy was staying in our basement before entering the Air Force. On 9/12, my dad had hung a regulation size American flag from the deck facing the street. (On 9/13, my brother's buddy told him he had hung it up side down). I don't recall how long the flag stayed up, but it joined a parade of flags draped over homes and decks and garages that I had never seen display a flag before. It felt like a weird patriotic camaraderie of strangers declaring "I'm not the bad guy. It's not me. I didn't do it". It also provided an opportunity for me to ask a question of a armed forces member in fatigues in the local Walmart---"Excuse me, sir? Why is the flag on your arm backwards?" He looked me boldly in the face: Because THIS flag, runs INTO battle. It was then I understood the flag from the deck.
Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)
Song by Alan Jackson
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Where were you when the world stopped turnin' That September day? Were you in the yard with your wife and children Or workin' on some stage in L.A.? Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke Risin' against that blue sky? Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor Or did you just sit down and cry?
Did you weep for the children, they lost their dear loved ones Pray for the ones who don't know? Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble And sob for the ones left below? Did you burst out with pride for the red, white, and blue And the heroes who died just doin' what they do? Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer And look at yourself and what really matters?
I'm just a singer of simple songs I'm not a real political man I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you The diff'rence in Iraq and Iran But I know Jesus and I talk to God And I remember this from when I was young Faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turnin' That September day? Teachin' a class full of innocent children Or drivin' down some cold interstate? Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor? In a crowded room did you feel alone? Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her? Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened Close your eyes and not go to sleep? Did you notice the sunset for the first time in ages And speak to some stranger on the street? Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow Go out and buy you a gun? Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin' And turn on I Love Lucy reruns? Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers Stand in line to give your own blood? Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family Thank God you had somebody to love?
I'm just a singer of simple songs I'm not a real political man I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you The diff'rence in Iraq and Iran But I know Jesus and I talk to God And I remember this from when I was young Faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us And the greatest is love I'm just a singer of simple songs I'm not a real political man I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you The diff'rence in Iraq and Iran But I know Jesus and I talk to God And I remember this from when I was young Faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us And the greatest is love
And the greatest is love And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turnin' On that September day?
For Mila it's been just the summer without school...and she is ready for HIGH SCHOOL! We've visited the campus (its HUGE!) and met her teacher--her first 'boy teacher' (a very important part the high school equation) and talked about old friends and new ones. I've spent a lot of time over the last 5 months prepping her for this transition and she is ready!
But for Isaac, it's been 544 days since he has been with his friends and teachers. He left a Second Grader in little size 6/7 boys clothes struggling to read pre-readers. He is returning 4 inches taller, in size 10/12 big kid clothes and ready to show off fractions to his Fourth Grade friends. Homeschooling kicked both our butts, but we were successful in how creative we needed to be around work and pandemic-ing. I am immensely proud of the 3 inch binder we presented to his team with what he (& I) accomplished over the last 18 months. He has been either with myself or at Gramma's side since last September, so I am anticipating the hustle and bustle of school hallways will be a little overwhelming in the coming week or two, but he is SO excited to see his teachers (and bring markers in his backpack to s'kool). <3
2021-2022: My prayer for safety, protection, wisdom, humility, friendship and health runs deep this year. Here we go...
Trying to keep ourselves busy, active and finding new favorite spots in the PNW:
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park
Tacoma Rainiers AAA Baseball Game
Point No Point Lighthouse
Blueberries
Backyard Swimming:
Bowling:
Seattle Cruise:
Meeting up with Bamboo Friends:
Local Parks:
Backyard Fires & S'mores:
Summer 2021 is a wrap! The school supplies have been purchased and the backpacks are ready by the door. We played, we worked, we explored, we had lots of down time and we tried new things. That feels like a pretty successful summer to me.
