Tag: news

Thank you!

Dear Friends,

Robert and I just returned from a trip to Indiana to help his siter and her husband. Though it was lovely to see them we are very happy to be back with our pets, celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. An Amazon package showed up this morning. It held a wonderfully soft and fuzzy blanket with cardinals all over it. Robert and I were charmed. Unfortunately, we do not know who sent it to us. We would love to know so that we can send a thank you card. If you are reading this and just sent us an amazon package, could you please let your presence be known? It is a welcome addition to our burgeoning cardinal collection.

I want to remind everyone that tomorrow is the day to vote in the primaries, if you have not already voted. We plan to be at our local polling place bright and early tomorrow. Ravi was very proud to vote for Biden in 2020. Please carry on his legacy by casting your ballot. I do not need to remind anyone that a lot is riding on the primaries and the voting this November. We cannot afford for anyone to sit this out, stay at home, or to think that their vote does not matter. Let Ravi and me assure you, your vote matters. Go vote!

All of the critters are happy to have us back. Nikki is purring. Raya, Gloria, and Jack Jack have lots to say and have happily strewn bones all over the house. Catherine gets up occasionally to run on her wheel and eat bugs. We spent a wonderful weekend with our Virginia friends, Etta, Denny, and Rich. We went to the Como Zoo, cooed at all the animals, rode the carousel, and toured the US Bank Stadium. It was a full day, but a wonderful time was had by all.

Now that we are home I am continuing to write and research how to be a better writer. My goal is to send out at least 15 letters of query to agents every month. I am determined not to let Ravi’s story just live in my computer and my blog but spread it to the wider world at large. Did you know that at least 7 children in the US die from cancer every day? Did you know that the treatments for osteosarcoma are over 40 years old and that pediatric cancers make up less than 4% of the annual American Cancer Society budget? I will always be an autism advocate, but now I am an osteosarcoma advocate as well. 4 years ago, we had never even heard of osteosarcoma. On December 9, 2022, our world went sideways and has never come back to normal. It never will come back to normal. There is a new normal, but it is always laden by grief and loss. Thank you for letting me share our story with you. Thank you for all the random cardinal gifts and cards. You have no idea how much they mean to us. Be good humans, go vote, and I will be in touch. Cheers! Harriet.

If I Could Uninvent Something

Dear Ravi,

This was the writing prompt for this afternoon. Can WordPress make it any more easy? You and I both know what we would uninvent, number 47. I am not going to give him a title or a name. He does not deserve it. He is a pathetic man/child that is sending federal troops into Minnesota. Unlike the ICE agents who do not have a clue about how to handle the frigid conditions of our home state, these troops are trained in Alaska. Yes, Alaska, where it is so cold that they run the school buses all winter long because otherwise they will never start up again. Hmmm.

Fortunately, our governor has another plan up his sleeve. He has called up the MN national guard. These are homegrown Minnesotans who probably grew up playing pond hockey without pads or helmets and are thrilled when the temperatures fall off the thermometer. I wish to high heaven that this was not happening. I don’t want ICE, federal troops, or the national guard in our metro area. Minnesotans look after their own and like to be left alone. Sure, we may invite you to Twins or Vikings game, or to enjoy our symphony, but then we would like to you to go back where you came from.

The irony, Ravi, is that they are scooping up and deporting Natives. People who have lived on this land long before Caucasians ever showed up. Despite the fact that these people are carrying MN drivers’ licenses and tribal IDs, they have been disappeared anyway. Our church, St Clement’s, was built on tribal land. We are acutely aware of this and make certain that our doors are always open to everyone regardless of race, color, or creed.

So, though yesterday was a victory, chasing the white supremists out of Minneapolis, ICE just seems to have scattered into the suburbs. Right now I hear reports that they are in Rochester, stealing Mayo patients out of their cars. Mayo was set up by an order of peace-loving nuns. I am certain that this was not even in their most bizarre nightmares. Mayo saved your life on two occasions, and I have a very special place for them in my heart.

So, we both know what I want to uninvent. He has done nothing but harm our country. His first term was bad enough, but he came roaring back with a vengeance. He thinks he needs Greenland. He wants to terrify blue states. In short, he is a monster, and that is giving monsters a bad name. I miss you my son, I love you. I will go on resisting by alerting our neighbors of danger, buying groceries and supplies for your school and in any other small ways I can think of. I love you to the moon and back. Mom.

Time Passes

Ravi, it has been nearly 4 months since we lost you. Time and space are funny things. Sometimes, I feel so close to you. Other times, all I can feel is grief. As a bus aid, I pass St. Clements Church twice a day. When the bus goes by, I give you a little wave, a thumbs up, and blow you a kiss. This is my twice a day ritual. Somehow, you keep me grounded as I head into the happy chaos of work. I feel your presence most strongly when I am on the playground at Bridge View School. Years ago, Principal Lisa and I poured concrete for a handicapped accessible playground. Since then, over a decade of students have enjoyed this play space. Like y0u, many of my students love to swing. Some can pump themselves into the air on their own. Others are happiest when I I push them high into the sky. It is then and there that I feel your presence. Often, while I am pushing a student, the sun peaks out from behind a cloud, and I know that you are saying hi.

The world is crazy right now. Basic human rights are being taken away. You would not understand this scary new world, and if you were here, I would do my best to shield you from it. You and I were so proud when you cast your vote for President Biden 4 years ago. We rejoiced when he won. Immediately after his administration ended, the world became a much darker place. The Medicaid that paid all your bills the last 22 months of your life is in danger of being taken away. The cancer research that prolonged your short life is frozen. I miss you deeply, but in a way, I am glad you are not part of this terrifying new world, but rather, hanging out with Jesus, and all those who have gone before.

Remember Mr. Rogers? His mother once told him that when things were scary to look for the helpers. There are helpers, Ravi. There are brave men, women, and transpeople who are standing up for what it is right and good. The Right Rev. Budde preached love and acceptance from the pulpit of the National Cathedral. She was the same person that offered the body of Matthew Shepherd sanctuary. There was no safe place for his body to rest until she had him interred at the Cathedral. I hope that you and Matthew and all the saints are dancing in heaven.

Boo Bear, I miss you more than mere words can express. Our house misses your energy. True, we have dogs and a cat and a hedgehog, but we miss your vibrant autistic energy. When I wake up in the morning, first thing, when I am in that state between dreams and reality, I believe, for a fleeting second that you are still here. Then, reality hits me like a freight train. Though life is hard and scary right now, I will continue to show up for you. Your daddy and I will be two of the helpers. Ravi, you were a good human. It is now the job of the rest of us to be good humans. I love you to the moon and back. Peace