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On Christmas morning Leslie M., 9 months pregnant, began having contractions with her 3rd child. The pregnancy up to that point, had been uneventful except for a bit of recent increased blood sugar that her doctor felt was “borderline” and should settle down once the baby came. She delivered a beautiful baby girl that night and everything was wonderful, but within weeks, her body began to tell a different story. She had spells of imbalance, heart palpitations, and fatigue that began to restrict her normally very active life. Her brain felt like it was working in a fog of anxiety and her children were beginning to be a source of drudgery instead of pleasure. Eventually, she gained weight and depression set in.

Her symptoms were explained away by her doctor as “postpartum blues,” but Leslie knew something else was going on. She realized that her problems were entirely different from anything she had experienced before and began to worry that this would be a permanent condition. The fact that her doctor was dismissive made her feel totally alone.
When hearing Leslie’s story, many of us may think that she was simply frightened or depressed about the increased responsibility of caring for a larger family, or that she was not getting enough sleep, or enough time for herself. But little known to her, the physical, emotional, and physiological stress of pregnancy caused changes in her DNA—that’s right, a gene (or two) turned from off to on—leading to a condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is a common autoimmune disease affecting the thyroid. The prevalence of the disease has been increasing in recent years, and in many cases, it clusters in families. The affected genes make the immune system susceptible to hyper-function. This leads to a kind of immune hyper-vigilance that attacks the thyroid, causing initial thyroid inflammation. This inflammation increases the production of thyroid hormone, and in Leslie’s case, anxiety, heart palpitations and fatigue. This initial stage of dysfunction may last a few months, but in time, the thyroid is slowly and permanently damaged, resulting in eventual low thyroid function. This is when I usually end up seeing the patient—when their symptoms are severe fatigue, depression, brain fog, thinning hair, GI issues and weight gain.

Not all thyroid problems are caused by Hashimoto’s Disease, but it is estimated that 70-90% of the women who have low-thyroid function actually have Hashimoto’s, making it the most common autoimmune disease. Other causes of low thyroid function are inadequate iodine intake and surgical or medical treatment of a hyper-thyroid gland. You can see that if you have a low thyroid condition (other than low iodine), it probably began with some kind of physical or mental stress that caused a change in your particular susceptible genes, turning a genetic switch that lead to your symptoms. The important point is that this is an immune and inflammatory condition, is not strictly a thyroid problem.

The good news is that this overactive immune condition can be markedly improved using a specific, natural, non-medical approach. That’s what happened with Leslie. We found that she had a specific kind of altered immune response involving Th1 cytokines. Once this was discovered, we were able to stabilize her immune system and her thyroid function with targeted nutritional supplements and an anti-inflammatory diet. She lost weight, her brain fog went away and she was able to exercise like she wanted. Best of all, she began to experience her children as the incredible blessings they always had been.

Dr. Don Davis, D.C., DACNB is a BOARD CERTIFIED CHIROPRACTIC NEUROLOGIST in Walnut Creek. He has been serving individuals with chronic pain for 30 years. For information about how you can get a free consultation with Dr. Davis, call (925) 279-4324 (HEAL) or WalnutCreekThyroidInstitute.com

 

Joint pain, known as arthritis, comes in many forms. The most common type is osteoarthritis, known as “wear and tear arthritis.”

Joint pain can flare up for a number of reasons—some of which may be overlooked by conventional practitioners. Many of my patients ask me if their pain is caused by arthritis. Sadly, it is estimated that one in five Americans has been diagnosed with some form or arthritis. There are over a hundred different arthritic conditions, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis being the most well known.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease causing inflammation in the synovial fluid of the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is most common in the hands and feet and is frequently accompanied by a hot or warm feeling in the joint, stiffness for over 30 minutes in the morning, the same joint affected on both sides of the body, polyarthritis (more than one joint affected at a time), and pain that can last through the night. With this form of arthritis, most of my patients notice the pain eases the more they use the joint.

Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, feels worse the more we exercise and as the day wears on. Also linked to inflammation, this type of arthritis can be traced back to a breakdown in the joint cartilage. It generally affects the hips, knees, spine, hands and feet and develops as more of a wear-and-tear situation, whereas rheumatoid arthritis is closely tied with genetic factors that lead to an autoimmunity problem.

What you need to know if you suffer from arthritis.

All forms of arthritis involve some kind of inflammation—either local or systemic. When injured, a chain of events in your immune system known as the inflammatory cascade is triggered. This is what causes the redness, swelling and pain we often see with an acute injury. When this process, known as local or acute inflammation, turns on and then off in response to injury it’s a sign of a healthy immune system. Yet when the symptoms of inflammation don’t disappear, it tells us that your immune system is unable to turn itself off when it should and therefore leads to a state of chronic inflammation.

How do I begin to heal my arthritis pain naturally?

1. Adopt a healthy diet rich in natural anti-inflammatories. Eat small meals often and choose a diet of richly colored fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and pure omega-3 fatty acids. Reduce foods that contribute to inflammation such as refined sugar, white flour/baked goods, canned or packaged foods.

2. Correct vitamin and mineral deficiencies: Vitamin, mineral and antioxidant deficiencies have been shown to suppress immune function and contribute to chronic degenerative processes such as chronic inflammation, arthritis, cancer, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Special blood testing can reveal what your body has absorbed from your food and/or supplements over the past six months and zero in on what is deficient. Micro-Nutrient Testing allows a person to know exactly what to eat and/or supplement in order to support their healing process. By correcting nutritional imbalances the body is given the building blocks it needs to naturally create its own anti-inflammatories and heal from the inside out.

3. Class IV Laser Therapy. Ending the pain caused by arthritis requires stopping the cycle of inflammation. Class IV laser therapy is an excellent method for this, because it is presently the only modality that can both reduce inflammation and heal tissue simultaneously. Laser therapy creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored and pain is quickly relieved.

We have great success helping people solve the causes of their joint pain. If you suffer from arthritis it is worth your while to spend some time figuring out which of any number of factors are contributing to your pain—and which combination of therapies will help heal it. The good news is—you can do it without drugs, and you don’t have to give up any of the activities you love!

For more information or to set up a consult with Dr. Niele Maimone call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

 

There are many transitions as you walk through any home. Ceiling heights change, paint colors vary by room, window heights and sizes change, as well as flooring. Floor transitions are probably the most noticeable if done incorrectly. The idea with any transition is to execute it as seamlessly as possible. Sometimes these changes are unavoidable, so how do we handle them? Incorporate flooring design into the architecture of the home.

Start a flooring change at the entrance of a new room to better define the space. An open formal dining room with rich custom hardwood that leads off of the travertine entry is inviting and cozy. Transitioning from one pattern to another with the same material, like stone for example, moves you from formal to more laid back. A diamond pattern in the entry leading to a Versailles pattern in the family room and kitchen is a subtle yet effective transition.

Attempting to match hardwoods is next to impossible, especially if the original was installed years ago and the stain has faded from sun and foot traffic. If you need to replace carpeted areas with hardwood and the older hardwood is within sight, try choosing a complementing grain and stain. Using a thin inset boarder that brings the original wood grain and color into the new is a way to tie the two together. You will know if going lighter or darker for the new material is best for your home based on the tone of the old. Matching sheen is the best way to keep a consistent look, having light hit the floors differently will be something you notice. Be sure to also stay in the same color family; if you had a rich brown stain with no reds, stick with the browns for the new wood. As always, when in doubt ask a professional designer.

Q I’ve been reading up about Chili Peppers as I enjoy Mexican food. I’m now anxious to plant a few but there are so many varieties. Which varieties do the best in this area?

A. The popularity of Chili Peppers is increasing as more folks enjoy hot and spicy foods. Location, location, location is a key with Chili Peppers as they like warm days and nights to produce. They must have nighttime temperatures over fifty-five degrees. May is an ideal month to set out transplants or seedlings started in mid-March. In most years, the rainy season has concluded and we are warming up. Seeds started today will be ready to the open ground in eight weeks or so. If you set your transplants out to early they will not bloom. Without blossoms, you get no production. Chilis take a little time to mature. If all is well, the flower petals will drop off as the green middle part of the flower starts to swell slightly. This is the chili pepper beginning to grow. The soil preparation for peppers is the same as with any other type of summer vegetable. With our clay soil, you need to be generous with the soil amendments for adequate drainage. Peppers don’t like soggy feet. In addition, the organic type vegetable fertilizers, such as Dr. Earth are perfect for peppers. They have shallow roots so be gentle when you cultivate and to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, mulching is recommended. Also, stake your pepper plants, as they can become top heavy as the crop matures. They’re harvested by clipping them off with a pair of scissors, don’t pull; otherwise, you’ll damage the plants.

There are so many varieties because of the demand for hot, and even hotter varieties. Hence, the right variety for you is directly related to how much heat your month is ready to except. The chemical, which gives chilli pepper its heat, is called capsaicin. They also accumulate heat as they mature so they’ll be milder when they’re green and hotter as they ripen to a deep red. The hottest part of the chilli is the white flesh that attaches to the seeds to the inside of the pepper. This can be removed if you want to limit the heat.

William Scoville is credited with inventing Scoville Heat Unit Scale (SHU), which measure the pungency of Chili Peppers. Bell or sweet peppers have a zero rating. Here are a few of the hot peppers and their ratings: Jalapeno 10,000 SHU, Cayenne, 30.000 SHU, and Habanero, 100,000 SHU. For the first time, plants for one of the hottest pepper in the world, is available. The Ghost Pepper, Bhut Jolokia, is four hundred times hotter than Tabasco Sauce, 1,000,000+ SHU and this year Trinidad Scorpion will be available. This hot pepper is in at taste bud melting range of 2,000,000 SHU.

Note: Capsaicin is an irritant and key ingredient of Mace or pepper spray. It’s important to either use gloves when handling chilies or thoroughly wash hand afterwards. Anyone who has inadvertently rubbed their eyes after handling a pepper knows why.

Buzz Bertolero is Executive Vice President of Navlet’s Garden Centers and a California Certified Nursery Professional. His web address is www.dirtgardener.com and you can send questions by email at dirtgarden@aol.com or to 360 Civic Drive Ste. ‘D’, Pleasant Hill, Calif. 94523 and on Facebook at Facebook.com/Buzz.Bertolero

 

Have you ever had that awkward feeling right before an anticipated moment, because you knew everyone around you was anticipating it too? No? Well welcome to your wedding night!

My family and I grew up in very traditional Christian homes, so the ideas of sex were taboo until marriage—or at least they were supposed to be! But with the wave of technology and the change in censorship within the entertainment industry it is easy for a girl to research what she was going to be up against.

My engagement to my husband was the hardest two years of my life. I held on so tightly to my Christian values that the moment my wedding day came I had just three things on my mind; I couldn’t wait to say “I do,” I couldn’t wait to eat, and I couldn’t wait for my wedding night. I had overloaded my brain with so many cosmopolitan articles on what to do and what not to do that I was like a kid who couldn’t keep still during church because she knew was getting ice cream afterward.

Needless to say my mother and a slew of other family members were just as excited…Hold up, huh? I was completely unprepared for the transformation that my family seemed to undergo in a matter of seconds. They went from the Huxtables to the Kardashians over the course of a 30-minute ceremony. Everyone I knew was celebrating our soon-to-be-consummated marriage by shouting bedroom tips to us as we got ready to settle in for the night. When we go in our room we were followed by that same overly excited crowd who were interested to see how equipped our suite was setup for the evenings “activities,” and after being pleased with the room they all left out with quiet chants and well wishes for a “successful” night.

As they closed the door we could still hear the lingering sounds of a few people outside of our room, but were they listening? No, instead they were discussing—dare I say—different “positions” and “maneuvers” that I could try that worked for them. My husband and I just awkwardly looked at each other as the last voice we heard was a little boy talking to his mom saying, “I know what their gonna do.”

As my husband walked over to me, small beads of sweat began to form on my brow. I had a lump in my throat and swallowed loudly as I imagined my family members in their rooms right up above us with an over turned glass on the floor listening just long enough to tell when “it” had begun.

As he got closer I closed my eyes tightly. I had been waiting for this moment for what seemed like forever and now that my family was waiting for it too, I could literally climb under a rock. When I opened my eyes my husband said “So is everyone expecting us to…” “Yep,” I assured him. He shook his head and said “I’m starving you want to eat?” And that was how we spent our first night as husband and wife–watching TV and eating…until we were sure everyone else was sleep.

The moral of this cautionary tale? Beware of the Kardashians in your family!

I recently attended a most interesting and informative medical meeting. It was like going into the future of medicine and seeing what the best doctors will be doing in the next 20 years.

The course was given buy the American Academy of Anti Aging Medicine and was on the subject of Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement. One might ask why a dentist is going to an advanced medical course on hormone replacement. As you may be aware, most of my practice deals with pain, muscle malfunction, arthritis and sleep disorders. Many, if not most, of these problems can either be caused or made worse by hormone imbalance, or can lead to that imbalance.

There was an overwhelming amount of information which will take months to review, but I did come back with some pearls that explain how to handle not only some of my most challenging cases, but how to achieve my goal of finding the deep underlying cause of my patient’s symptoms. The ideal plan is to permanently resolve the malady and possibly avoid having the symptoms return or show up somewhere else in the body.

In my article last fall I pointed out that inflammation has been found to be the world’s number one cause of death. Chronic inflammation can alter the chemistry of the part of the body with which it is associated. For example, a chronic bladder infection can potentially lead to bladder cancer by reducing the oxygen in that area. Cancer thrives on anoxia. (Previous articles that I have written can be accessed on aliveeastbay.com.)

Chronic pain, caused by inflammation, can stress the adrenal glands. Many of you know the multiple effects of imbalanced cortisol and adrenaline, not to mention the many other hormones these glands produce. These glands can not only be compromised by chronic inflammation, but can also be negatively affected by the emotional problems associated with that pain and fatigue. The hormone imbalances that result then potentially influence the neurotransmitters in the brain. As you can see it really gets complex, challenging even the famous Dr. House of the television series.

It becomes very clear that giving a prescription for pain or tension may make the patient happy today, only to suffer more tomorrow. My hope is that medicine in the future will not only correct the cause of the symptom, but address the side effects that came about as a result of endocrine and/or neurological disturbances created by the trauma or disease.

In my practice, learning more about hormones allows me to be aware of the need to refer to other practitioners in order to help expedite the healing process through the stimulation the body’s own defenses. It becomes quite clear that merely attempting to handle a TMJ or fatigue problem by the traditional dental procedures, without attempting to make a complete diagnosis of the condition, could actually exacerbate the true cause and worsen the symptoms.

Let’s take a look at three very well known hormones; Estrogen, Progesterone and Cortisol. Imbalances in any of these can cause mood swings, anger, stress, headaches, muscle cramps, clenching and grinding of the teeth and more. My new patient, initial medical/dental history has many questions that do not relate to dentistry and regular medical problems. In the course on hormones a lot of time was taken teaching us about little signs and symptoms that are unique to these imbalances and how to recognize them.

When signs of these imbalances are found I let my patients know I can help a little and many times a lot, but I may need help from other professionals. The need for a patient to change their diet and/or lifestyle may become of extreme importance in these cases.

No longer should practitioners in any field of medicine or dentistry limit what they notice to merely that field. As professionals we have an obligation to attempt to be aware of signs and symptoms that are being revealed as we treat a patient. That patient’s body may be crying out for help in the form of a symptom such as pain or inflammation. We ought to listen the body crying out, rather than saying, “shut up and take this.” Listen! Then work on a diagnosis or refer to someone who can.

The other day I had a patient tell me that she was actually thankful that she had developed TMJ issues. Without having found my practice because of her TMJ dysfunction she wouldn’t feel so well overall. She said that my commitment to her treatment has changed her life. The gratification coming from this compliment is priceless to me.

It is possible to enjoy life again.

For more information about my center, please visit www.aodtc.com.

 

I’m a voracious reader, so I was assuredly sucked in by the title. I wanted to see The Book Thief while it was still in the theaters but it must have caught me at a busy time because it came and before I knew it, it had left. My Granddaughter read the book and loved it so my desire to see it had not waned. The moment I got my little Netflix notice, followed quickly by Redbox, I carved out the time.

Nazi Germany during World War II was a horrible place. The Book Thief treats it lightly. I’m not saying that they gloss over anything but the book was written for a preteen to teen audience. If you are looking for gore you aren’t really going to find it here. After it was over, I realized I was more than okay with that. I’ve seen Schindler’s List, even the Disney film, Boy in the Stripped Pajamas, and though I believe everyone needs enlightenment, The Book Thief probably falls short of bringing that to the table.

Liesel (Sophie Nelisse) is a young girl who is sent to live with new parents. On the way there her younger brother dies on the train and is buried in a field. Liesel finds a book and hides it away. Though she cannot read yet, this begins a journey of a love of reading. The war takes her through death and loss, fear and distrust to love and endurance. As she moves from reading to storytelling and on to writing she found that words can be used for both good and evil.

Hans, her new father is as kind, gentle and loving as her new mother, Rosa is hurtful, brash and hard. Played by Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson, the two prove to be the seasoned pros they are. There are two other pivotal players. Max, played by Ben Schnetzer, is a young Jewish man who was the son of an old friend of Hans and Rosa. He shows up on their doorstep near death and at great risk to the family, they take him in and hide him. Max encourages Liesel in her reading and writing, always asking her to describe things to him; teaching her to not just look but observe. The other is Rudy (Nico Liersch), literally the boy next door. He befriends Liesel as soon as she arrives at her new home and doesn’t let go. They forge a great friendship that changes her life.

Death is the film’s omniscient narrator. He says he rarely gets involved in the lives of those he ultimately takes but does take an interest in Liesel and her circumstances. World War II saw many acts of unheralded courage of Germans helping Jews. Liesel’s was a testament of the endurance of a spirited and courageous young girl.

The Book Thief is the telling of a horrific event as seen through a child’s eyes that would not only be appropriate but enlightening for the whole family. There is also a Discussion Guide on the film’s website, if you want to make it a learning experience.

Delicately done. Elegantly simple. Readily available. I approve. Send me your thoughts and comments at chastings@rockcliff.com

 

 

 

April showers have brought far more than spring flowers to the farmers’ market. Strawberries are suddenly everywhere—more plump and tender than ever. Produce aficionados also stand ready for the arrival of early summer crops like tomatoes, zucchini, and stone fruits like nectarines, peaches, plums and pluots. But right now it’s hard to think about anything other than locally-grown apricots and cherries—those perennial favorites with only the briefest of seasons.

Apricots date back at least 4000 years, when they were discovered on the mountain slopes of China. From there, apricots traveled across the Persian Empire to the Mediterranean. Spanish explorers introduced the fruit to California in the 18th century, and apricots became an integral part of the Mission Santa Clara gardens. Recorded history indicates the first major California crop was produced in 1792. By 1920, when fertile farmland was still relatively inexpensive, the California apricot literally flourished in the Santa Clara Valley. However, due to rising property values, housing expansion, and industrial growth following World War II, many California apricot farms abandoned one valley for another—the San Joaquin Valley.

Today the San Joaquin Valley produces 95% of the apricots grown in the United States, and most of these farms are still small, family-owned businesses. The demand is high and the inventory is low, so it pays to shop for fresh apricots sooner rather than later, before the crops are snatched up by commercial canners and other food preservers.
Not only delicious but amazingly versatile in the kitchen, velvety California apricots are one of the healthiest and most beneficial fruits available. They are filled with disease-fighting anti-oxidants and are rich in beta-carotene, Vitamin C, potassium, iron, Vitamin A, copper, and lycopene. They are also high in fiber and low in saturated fat and sodium.

Unlike those anemic, cottony little rocks we see piled high at most supermarkets, tree-ripened apricots are golden-orange in color, aromatic, and honey-sweet. (Due to their fragility and need for special handling, these apricots rarely make it to supermarkets.) On top of that, growing them is a labor of love, as the apricots on each tree ripen randomly, in their own sweet time. This means the same trees must be hand-picked four to five times during the 2-month harvest to ensure that each apricot has reached its potential.

A good apricot is such an ethereal delicacy that eating it out of hand is often the ultimate luxury. But once in a while it’s exciting to celebrate the season by creating a homey dessert for a chilly evening—a private little dessert that doesn’t have to be shared with anyone.

This basic crisp recipe will carry you through the summer months, switching out the apricots as other stone fruits become available. It requires no exotic ingredients, is assembled in minutes, and bakes to perfumed perfection while you’re eating dinner. You can play around with the topping to suit your taste, adding a few chopped walnuts or other aromatic spices, like ground cardamom or freshly-grated nutmeg.

This crisp is comforting and satisfying on its own, but even better when served with a spoonful of cold vanilla-flavored yogurt or a scoop of ice cream.

Easy Apricot Crisp-for-Two

For variation, add a few blueberries or pitted cherries to the apricots.

1/2 pound firm-but-ripe apricots (about 4 large apricots)
4 tablespoons light brown sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, well-chilled
3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons old-fashioned rolled oats (oatmeal)
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Grease two 1-cup ramekins or gratin dishes.

2. Halve and pit the apricots. Working over a bowl, cut the apricot halves into 1/2-inch-thick wedges. Add 1 tablespoon of the brown sugar to the bowl and toss gently to mix. Divide the apricot mixture equally between the ramekins.

3. In a medium bowl, combine the butter and flour. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons brown sugar, the oats, salt, and cinnamon. Scatter all of the mixture evenly over the apricots in each ramekin and bake until the topping is golden brown and the apricots are just tender and bubbly-hot, about 20 minutes.Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

“My parents moved from San Francisco to Mountain View when I was five…Silicon Valley for the most part at that time was still orchards—apricot orchards and prune orchards—and it was really paradise.” –Steve Jobs
Smithsonian interview, April 1995

The Danville Certified Farmers’ Market, located at Railroad and Prospect, is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. For specific crop information call the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association at 1-800-949-FARM, or visit their web site at www.pcfma.com. This market is made possible through the generous support of the Town of Danville. Please show your appreciation by patronizing the many fine shops and restaurants located in downtown Danville. Buy fresh. Buy local. Live well.

 

 

Massage therapy is more than often seen as an expensive pampering service rather than something people do to give themselves a little relaxation or just a chance to escape reality for even an hour. I’ve spoken to many people who say that they haven’t ever experienced a professional massage and my response, aside from shock or bewilderment, is typically, “you really don’t know what you’re missing!” Massage therapy is much more than just a chance to relax and unwind, it’s a chance to realign and restore your body and mind as well.

With that being said, massage therapy is much like physical therapy in that it helps facilitate the healing process for an injury or reoccurring pain you might be experiencing. Regular massage therapy can help reduce blood pressure, alleviate stress, and boost the auto-immune system. It helps break down lactic acid build-up, helps to break down scar tissue, increases the muscles range of motion thus elevating pain, increases circulation providing much needed blood and oxygen to the muscles, among other things. Seeing a massage therapist once or twice a month has been proven beneficial to countless clients here at Healing Hands Day Spa, but also around the world. With the ability to customize a massage to fit your needs, it’s pretty much guaranteed you’ll be kicking yourself for not trying it out sooner!

There are varying techniques for massage, the three most common being Swedish, a light pressure, therapeutic, a medium pressure, and deep tissue (exactly as it sounds – a deeper, more intense pressure). We offer lymphatic massage to help get rid of excess fluid build-up (it also helps with cellulite, wink, wink), aromatherapy with various scent options, foot reflexology and my personal favorite, hot stone massage. You can book a 50 minute massage for those days you don’t have a lot of time, an hour or up to 90 minutes on any type of massage. We even offer a 30 minute neck, back and shoulder massage for those days you need to squeeze some relief into your schedule. I truly believe that massage is a necessity, not just a luxury.

Over at Healing Hands the skilled massage therapists are happy to cater to your personal needs regarding any service you decide to get. We believe your personal health and overall comfort is incredibly important, so give us a call at 925-362-9892 or visit our website at www.healinghandssalon.net for more information. We look forward to making you a believer, too!

In May we remember and pay tribute to our mothers. It makes sense to just think back on a couple of memories and what our moms did for us and mean to us.

My mom is an amazing 93 years old. She is still loving, sharing, passionate and full of ideas. This has been the year that she decided to put a group of her original poems and parodies together into a book. I offered to help and it has been an interesting ride. Her material is very good. She is passionate—almost to distraction and aggravation. When she is on the path of an idea, she is a pit bull. After our conversation and work sessions, I walk out of my home office and my wife looks at me with a smile. By now, I know what she’s going to say. “Sweetheart, you’re so much like your mom.” I have to look back on life to know that it makes sense that that is a wonderful compliment.

For example, Mom taught me at an early age that I was a terrible liar. She told me that everybody could see it on my face and hear it in my voice. She said that I should never try it because people would be able to tell. Now I’m not going to say that I’ve never told a little white lie, but mom scared me enough that even the thought of trying to wiggle out of a situation makes me very uncomfortable.

She also taught me some semblance of humility by telling me when I dabbled in a “shouldn’t dabble area,” it was her fault. She’d tell me, with a smile on her face, parents always made mistakes with their first child (me, oldest of four boys) and that she had really messed me up. It always made me stop. I don’t know that I understand it totally today, but it did make me think.

Mom had a lot to overcome. When she was 32 years old she contracted Polio. At first doctors told my dad that she wouldn’t survive. She did. Then they told him she would spend the rest of her life in an “Iron Lung.” She didn’t. They said she would be paralyzed for the rest of her life. She isn’t. She is still going strong. Her life experiences taught all four of us about work ethics and working through things. She always told us to be creative, work hard, think and not to listen to people who said we wouldn’t be able to do something.

She left a career that she loved in music, writing, and singing to take care of her four boys, but she never stopped performing. She would perform for the neighborhood kids. We would have a household full of friends wanting her to help plan games. When she went back to work part time teaching music, she figured out that the rhythms and beats of music might help kids learn how to read. She actually ended up helping a number of kids who were disabled, in some way, learn to read through music. It was amazing to watch.

Mom would take us on a camping trip to the beach. The fog would roll in, the wind would blow, and we would be freezing. She would say, “What an adventure! Isn’t this fun?”

As adults, with our own families, we love to see her and talk with her. She brings an energy; a love and excitement about life that renews us with every breath. She is an amazing woman.

So, to the mothers in my family—my unbelievably wonderful wife, daughter and daughters-in-law—I love you all.

To mom—you still are my inspiration. When Janet tells me I’m just like you, it is the greatest compliment I could ever receive. I think it Makes Sense.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Editor’s note:  Alive is proud to be publishing Ed’s moms book.  Laughter All The Way: Poetry, Puns, and Parodies, by Marty Baxter is available now on Amazon, and other online retailers.