Independence Day Every Day
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
I just returned from my vacation with my family in Massachusetts. It was a great, but as always too short, vacation. I spent a lot of quality time with my niece cuddling, reading, laughing, and hugging. She'll be 8 at the end of this month and I know that the 'tween and teen years will be upon us way too soon so I want to enjoy as much time with my "little" girl as possible. The changes she makes in the months we're apart always astound me and each time we're together I learn more and more about contemporary kid culture. My poor mother had certainly reached her "Hannah Montana" limit.
B and I did enjoy a day at Look Park playing putt-putt, riding peddle boats, and touring the zoo. We went whale watching with my friends Paula and Stacy and their twins Annie and Griffin. And we even managed to cajole my sister and her friend Laurie, Auntie Loli to Brenna, to join us on a rainy horse back ride. Thanks to Auntie Loli for helping me mount my steed Cash.
My faithful pooch Sadie proved an excellent traveler and was a big hit with Grandma, Grandpa and, especially, Miss B.
As I was heading home on Sunday with the intention of taking advantage of the corporate "floating" holiday scheduled for Monday, my transmission decided to take its own vacation. I overnighted in Toledo and spent Monday morning at the Saturn dealership only to learn that my car wouldn't be ready to ride until Tuesday of next week. So I made friends with the Enterprise car rental man. Sadie faced the challenges of disrupted travel like an old pro. She really is a perfect dog.
Upon my return today I was faced with several hundred emails and a half-dozen or so voice mails. In my mail I came across a card from Michigan Easter Seals wishing me a happy Independence Day. Inside was a little story that I'll share here with you.
Racing towards Independence
Easter Seals' child ambassador, five-year-old Ryan Glant is "racing" towards independence! As a result of receiving speech and language therapies at Easter Seals and despite his premature birth, speech and language impairments and a lazy eye, Ryan has made fantastic progress. He loves school and is ready to start full-day kindergarten in the fall. His mom Jenn shares, "Ryan's therapist provides one-on-one consistent interaction and structure which has resulted in his amazing progress!" Thank you for helping Ryan cross the finish line reaching independence!
Helping people live better lives. Hope. Freedom. Independence. Our partnership with Easter Seals is a perfect fit. With every dollar raised and every hour volunteered we help children and adults with disabilities reach their goals of freedom and independence making every day Independence Day.