From Boundless Love to Beautiful Dreams
Award-winning children’s book author Rose Lewis writes from the heart
Published in baystateparent magazine
When Rose Lewis traveled to China to meet her 7 1/2-month-old adoptive daughter Ming in 1996, she was excited and apprehensive. It was the culmination of a nine- month adoption process, a journey into parenting that Rose, an older single woman, had determined to embark upon. She knew that adopting a child from another country was, in her words, “a leap of ..read more
Reconstructing Valentines
The envelope in the mail was hand-addressed from my sister. My first thought was that this was the next of a series of communications regarding our Dad’s estate.
Was I ever wrong.
“Was going through Mom’s things and found these. Thought you might like to have them back – hope they brighten your day as much as they did hers,” the written note said.
I’ll warn you now, this is going to be sappy.
Out tumbled paper-laced heart-cut valentines from the past. My now-17-year-old, ..read more
7 Steps to Better Family Food Choices
Published in baystateparent magazine
Most of us grew up with the USDA’s food pyramid: a visual manmade wonder to guide us toward making healthy food choices. We were taught we could obtain the pinnacle of health by eating just the right number of servings from various food groups, without more than a nod towards the shape-shifting nature of the pyramid’s groups over the years, or the source of our food itself.
Parenting brings with it a whole new dimension to how ..read more
Boston Heartbreak
Within minutes of crossing the Boston Marathon finish line yesterday – 15 minutes faster than my usual time – I was elated. It was my 10th Boston Marathon and my best time ever at Boston. I saw my family in the crowded pack of spectators, waved joyfully at them, and crossed the Finish Line.
As I was quickly made my way into the Westin Hotel where our Alzheimer’s team runners and family meet every year, the bombs went off. My family ..read more
Why She Runs
The Women’s Running Boom – and how it is making moms healthier and happier
Published in baystateparent magazine
When Susan Smith of Westborough, MA decided to try running as an alternative to her gym workouts in the Spring of 2011, she wasn’t sure what to expect. The fitness director at her gym had been taking a group of women out for short runs to introduce them to the sport.
“One day, I said, ‘What the heck, I’m just going to go ..read more
Going Buggy
While the rest of Westborough residents are trying to avoid insects due to the EEE critical threat level, my fifth grader and I are in hot pursuit of all things six-legged, winged, or creepy-crawly.
Yes, it’s that time of year for Caleb’s class: The Bug Project. And it’s due in just one week.
The Bug Project requires that my ten-year-old find, identify, and mount (in an aesthetically pleasing way) 20 different varieties of bugs. Of all the scientific field projects my kids have ..read more
Credit Card Alert – The Uncut Version
I’ve been abducted by the Visa police. It’s horrible, I know. A complete stain to my shopping reputation.
Yes, I was declined today – after years and years of faithful, frugal usage of my L.L. Bean Visa card. My card went on SHOPCON 1 – Oh, horror!
And from me, the faithful paying merchant – foryears! Never a late payment – never just the minimum. I am a pay-in-full person.
It all started innocently enough – perhaps a bit too generous on my part, ..read more
Going the Pan-Mass Distance to Cure Cancer
Published in baystateparent Magazine, August 2012
It was the death of Timothy Carty’s brother David that got him to ride his bike 190 miles from Sturbridge to Provincetown, MA in 2009 as part of the Pan-Mass Challenge. David had been battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for ten years until he passed away at age 49 – leaving behind a wife and three young children.
“David was my oldest brother [of five siblings]. We were the closest. He was the one I looked ..read more
Dads Rock: Dick Hoyt
Published June 2012 in baysyateparent magazine
You may have seen them at the Boston Marathon, the barrel-chested father pushing his 125- pound quadriplegic son in a wheelchair, cheered on by fans and fellow runners. Their presence elicits both cheers and tears from bystanders, who witness with awe the dad who has competed with his disabled son in over 1,075 running events in the past 33 years. This past April, Dick and Rick Hoyt completed their 30th Boston Marathon– a ..read more
The Magic of Medals4Mettle
Doctor donates Disney medal to disabled boy for bravery, courage
Published in baystateparent magazine
When Dr. Ken Abrams, a veterinary ophthalmologist from Rhode Island, completed his first marathon in 2009 —The Disney Marathon — it was magical. He crossed the finish line in 3:34:52, qualifying for Boston, and proudly accepted the Mickey Mouse finisher’s medal that was placed around his neck.
The magic didn’t end there.
Ken was inspired to donate his Disney medal to Medals4Mettle, an organization that facilitates ..read more