Last Friday night my neighborhood hosted a little get together. Now you have to understand my "hood" in that from the moment we moved in to the Olson House back in 2002, we have been a part of a unique family. I know my neighbor to the left of me and to the right. I know the neighbors across the street and two houses down. I know the folks on the corner and for the next six houses down, on both sides of the street. We actually wave to each other and know each other by name. Our 4th of July Block Party is a blast (close the street, set up BBQs, volleyball net, basketball court, water balloon launchers and the EZ-Ups). We actually have a pre-4th planning party and then start the 4th off with a Breakfast Bang! And all of this without fireworks (not legal in the LBC, but sort of :) What I mean to describe is that we can get together at a drop of the hat with the "signal" being a table and some chairs on somebodies front lawn. Just bring your drinks and maybe some finger food to eat / share; the rest always takes care of itself.
So the latest was a get-together to celebrate my "lil friend". Yes, we were celebrating my tumor - ahhh, the humor on Brayton Ave knows no bounds! I had the time of my life and I want to say thank you to my Brayton Ave Family because you are the best in so many ways. From our first encounter after we moved in when you sent someone to pick Stephanie and I up for the Holiday Progressive (because we did not know anyone) to going to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show (complete with toast, rice and spray bottles), to the "druken" cruise on a Murphy boat (only the Captain didn't drink), to new year's eve parties at the "Mission" and in every other way imaginable and sometimes, unimagined. Wow, all of that in only 8.5 years!
And then......
.....on Saturday, we celebrated my brother's 50th with his favorite meal of steak and red velvet cupcakes at 555 East in downtown LB. Again a night to remember and a night to celebrate with my family who have supported me from the very beginning. These are only the beginning of my family network includes other family in Berdoo, friends, old neighbors, schoolmates, work associates, sports peoples and much much more.
So now you know the secret source of my inner power, it is my "family". I am truely blessed to have my "family" and cannot express completely how much it has helped me in the last few months. I rely on your foundation to provide the strength to eat more yogurt, to take that last piece of cauliflower, to chug another cup of green tea. I revel in my ability to eat another piece of salmon and grill another chicken (where do the nuggets come from?). The best is my expanding ability to take one bite of a piece of desert and then just walk away.
I know I need to eat so for me, its just something to consume. But when we go out, when it is a special occasion, I want my plate to be great, to be something that I really, desperately want to eat. So on Saturday, I ate the entire red velvet cupcake; savorying every bite, slowing enjoying every crum and each lick of frosting. And that was after having a nice prime cut of grass fed moo moo with a mixed veggie medly. What a meal!
UPDATE: Waiting to hear from my Medical Group whether my second request for sugery at UCLA will be approved. Think good energy, great thoughts and incredible prayers. Also, I am looking to increase my knowledge of meditation, anyone with pointers?