Piano Recital

Last Sunday, the kids had a piano recital.  Alaina also had a softball tournament, but it was single elimination and her team was knocked out early Sunday morning, so she made it back in time to play (much to her disappointment!)

The kids both had been working on their songs for a LONG time, so they were defienelty ready for a performace.   

Ethan played Viva la Vida by Coldplay as well as a Bach Invention and a Jazz improv piece.

Alaina played a Sonatina by Playel and a Waltz.

They both did a great job!

Halloween

 Well its been busy.  I have been out of town the last 3 of 4 weekends, and somehow have not gotten around to posting about Halloween!

This year Alaina and her friend at school each decided to dress up as characters from Alice and Wonderland.   Of course, Alaina chose the white rabbit.  Her costume was accesorized with a handmade clock, that Jason helped her create.   It made the outfit--and the school thought so too--she won 2nd place in her grade's costume contest.

 The group of costumes also actually truned out quite cute.   She has a great bunch of friends, so I am glad that they all decided to do this together.

This year was the first year that she trick-or-treated without a parent in immediate proximity, and she had a great time.   She claims that she got less candy than last year, but she still had quite an impressive haul.   As a bonus, she did not have school the next day (a very appropraitely times teacher education day), so two of the girls were even able to sleep over after the trick or treating was done.  A pretty good day!

Ethan, meanwhile, had his second "city" halloween.   He did have a costume: Where's Waldo, but I am not sure how much trick or treating he did--probably more just loitering.

He also spent the night at a freinds in the city--despite the fact that he did have school the next day.   He also stayed over at another friends on Saturday--after a football game.  He is becoming quite the couch surfer.

Philadelphia

 Last weekend was our annual American Society of Anesthesiologists meeting.  This year it was in Philadelphia. My dad watched the kids so Jason and I could both go.   Last year it was in San Francisco, and we didn't organize childcare--and it was a real mess.  So much better to have pre-planned childcare (which of course really just means rides and food!)

Anyhow, we were both pretty busy at the conference.   I gave 3 talks--which, for the record, was too many--I didn't think all would get accepted when I put my hat in the ring for them.

 

Jason gave a pod cast, and also of course was busy with his company and the clients.   

We did get some time to take short runs together--and though our hotel was not that well positioned for running, we did find a nice path along the river.   As an added bonus the weather was spectacular--in the mid 70s.   

I didnt have as much time as I had hope to do touristy-things--I did enjoy checking out the Mutter Museum, which is a medical history museum, and had some very delicious food.   Also caught up with a bunch of old friends.  A good change in routine from the typical work week!

Remembering Barb Koehler

We were told some devastating news this past week: my dad’s cousin Barb died suddenly in a tragic accident. 
 
Though Barb is only my second cousin, she has been a truly influential and valued member of our family.  She and my dad were born few months apart and grew up together, intermittently at least.  Though I vaguely remember seeing Barb at family events when I was a kid growing up, her influence on our family really intensified when my mom was sick.    As my mom’s dementia progressed, my dad grew more and more isolated—he could not easily travel with my mom anymore, and eventually, he was unable to even leave my mom alone at home.   At some point during her decline, my dad’s cousins Barb, Chris and Kris started driving down from Milwaukee on a regular basis to see him and my mom.   They would always bring lunch, often “taking over the kitchen” to prepare something delicious.   The three of them provided great conversation, great food, and importantly, great companionship to my dad, who was increasingly more and more lonely.  Often, when Jason, the kids and I were in town for a visit, we would see the cousins as well (though we tried to cook for them!).   During these times we saw, firsthand, how much these lunches cheered up my dad and how truly kind, and caring my dad’s cousins all were.   
 
At the end of each visit, before they left, the cousins and my dad all got out their calendars, and picked a date not too far into the future for their next visit.   This routine helped guarantee that there would be a return visit, and of course gave my dad something to look forward to.   Of all the family we have, I truly believe that no one was more supportive or important to my dad during the time of my mom’s illness than his three cousins.   As the oldest of the three cousins, Barb was the ring leader of these visits, though undeniably each of them contributed.
 
I will always remember Barb as an amazing storyteller.   When we were together, she would  share the most hilarious anecdotes about growing up and all the mischief she encountered along the way.  He stories were so funny that I occasionally would fall out of my chair because I was laughing so hard.   I wish I would have written some of them down!
 
Barb also endured her own hardships.  When her son Ryan was young, he developed brain cancer.  I have a very vague memory of this as a young child, but now with an adult perspective, I cannot imagine how difficult this must have been for her and her husband Don.  She also took care of Don when he was diagnosed with colon cancer some years back.   Despite these difficulties, she was an outwardly very positive person.   To me, she seemed to always have a balanced perspective, and was always incredibly thoughtful and generous.   After my dad sold his house in Chicago, we stopped seeing Barb, Chris, and Kris with any regularity.   But in 2021, we were fortunate to have Barb visit our home in California with a friend.   That was the last time I saw her.    
 
Of course, you never realize when it will be the last time you see someone.   If nothing else, I have learned from being a physician that life is unpredictable, and can be cut tragically short.   I wish I could have had one last lunch with Barb.  I am sure my dad does too.   She will be missed.
 

High Holidays

 This weekend was Yom Kippur, and Rosh Hashanah was earlier in the month.   These two days, which are the most important Jewish holidays, seemed especially noteworthy this year with all the turmoil in the Middle East.   

During Rosh Hashanah, Jason's parent's were abroad.   So, Jason took it upon himself to make a delicious New Year's dinner to remind the kids of the importance of the holidays.   He even made homeade Challah--which he baked perfectly!

Jason's parents were supposed to still be away for Yom Kippur, but they ended up shortening their trip, so we had them, Marcy, Alexandra, and my Dad over for dinner last night.  It was a nice affair--and our last chance to see Jason's parents before Thanksgiving, since they are headed down to their desert place this week for the season.

Cross Country

 This year, Ethan decided to particiapte in cross-country again.   We were happy to hear he wanted to do this as the coach is really wonderful.

His season started off a bit rough as he had an early ankle injury.  But he did his best to persevere, and after it felt better he started training hard and working to improve his times.

Last weekend, I headed down to Daly City to watch him race.   He sure has changed a lot since he did this race last year!  So much taller!

     

                                           

And he also did it much faster--dropping from 27ish minutes to 22ish minutes.

This past week we even got an email from his coach congratulating him on his hard work and enthusiasm.   It said, "I don't often send personal parent emails with a roster of 82 kids but I couldn't not tell you how impressed I have been with Ethan this fall. He has made incredible progress as a runner and as a person!  I love his passion and care for his teammate and his hard work every day is really paying off despite the ankle snafu last month. I really appreciate him and wanted you to know."

And she made him the Athlete of the Week:

"Ethan has been one of the most incredible examples of (hard work + just showing up = crazy improvement) that I've seen in a while!  While last year he ran 30:50 for a 3 mile race, he posted a fast-finish 14:36 for 2 miles at Kezar on Thursday morning in the heat! Ethan suffered an unfortunate ankle sprain in early September but he is back and improving with every single practice. He's had quite an athletic journey from elementary school soccer to high school cross country which is his story to tell, but what all of his teammates know is that he's an inspiring teammate, always encouraging others and someone who gives his all at practices and races every single day. The OTC t-shirt winner on Friday, Ethan is still coming up and we are very excited to see his races on Tuesday and beyond!"

This, of course, is especially meaningful in the setting of his arthritis and flat feet.   Obviously there is no way he will ever be close to the fastest kid on the team (for reference-there is a sophomore who regularly runs the 3 mile races in just over 15 minutes), but how wonderful to hear that he is working hard and improving his personal times despite his physical limitations.  We are proud of him!

Ethan the Driver!

 Also since we returned, Ethan got his driver's learner's permit.   There may be nothing as scary as sitting in the passenger seat with your 15 year old on their first time behind the wheel.   

Driver's Ed in California is diffferent that how I remembered it in Illinois--there is no school-based program, which seems to mean most of the instructing falls on the parents.    I remember having to do drivers simulation in the classroom--none of that here!  

15.5 year olds have to pass a written test for the permit and then complete 50 hours of proctored driving--and 6 of the hourse are with an official instructor.  These instructors are not cheap, for the record!   

Last weekend in Sacramento gave us a better oportunity to practice--flat roads and more in the countryside without a lot of traffic--Marin is much trickier with its hills and curvy roads.   

So, we will continue to practice.   Wish him luck!