Clean underwear warnings

July 2010.

Dearest Maya,

I write you from the Hudson Valley, while you’re at one of your favorite places, one that you anticipate going to all year long. Rowe Camp! It was at Rowe last year that your independence soared.  I’m wondering how your experience will be this time.

I spoke with you after your first night. That morning, you weren’t sounding too good.  You didn’t sleep well as there was so much noise and you asked me to send you a scarf of mine.  This would be showered with my love, for you to be wrapped in during the nights.  Naturally, I felt awful after that call, wishing I could fix it all.  I express-mailed you my special scarf and filled it with love.  I am confident that now, two days later, you found your center and are thriving at camp.  I cannot wait to hear of your adventures.

We had an interesting mis-adventure earlier this month. Together, along with Tuli and Ellen, we went to Cindy and Rob’s new house to help them with their move.  It was a very hot day.  At the end of the day, we hung out by a local stream.  You had fun painting my face and chest with mud/paint that you made by rubbing rocks with water.  I had a lovely design on that I decided to keep on until we returned home.  Fast forward the tape…

After exiting the Thruway while on 299 heading west by the intersection of North Putt Corners, I heard a siren. I just had started to creep forward in the intersection when a state trooper’s vehicle flew right in front of our car.  Fortunately, I was going slowly and slammed on the brakes, preventing us from landing in the trooper’s lap.  The car behind us could not stop fast enough.  It rear-ended our vehicle.  There was a bit of damage to our car.  Thankfully, nobody got hurt.  We pulled over to a safe spot where the other driver and another trooper met us.  Everyone was checking out if everyone was okay.  You and I were both fine and we said so.  At one point, the trooper looked at me and asked, “are you sure you’re okay?”  At that, I remembered! I cracked up laughing and told him of our fun from earlier.  The other driver was concerned that the mud was blood.  We all had a good laugh.  I then mentioned how my mom always told me to wear clean underwear in the event that I unexpectedly have to go the hospital.  But she never warned me about not wearing a mud-painted face while driving!  We all laughed again.  Yes, this was a mis-adventure.  But in the end, it was a funny one.

As always Maya, sending lots of love, Mom

These photos were taken during June 2010

Maya’s favorite trick, “birds nest”.

Maya’s biggest fan, Pop

One of Maya’s inspirational coaches, J-Bird!