Here's to the Olympic Endeavors in our Lives and Towns..a HoUSAtonic for US-All!

 In case you've not heard of a rather amazing Ski Jump Competition in Salisbury CT, let me mention it so you can see it live or online (try  SWSA and www.catv6.com) each February!

I'm looking forward to seeing the ice sculpting Sat morning and if it's not too cold, will take in the excitement of the jumps in the afternoon. I've made it to the lively Snow Ball some years but may run out of steam just from the day's excitement.(Update--got there and was delighted to see Snoopy typing on his doghouse -- and heard about the 4-time winner of the Iditerod in Alaska as I got home on NPR in my car so appreciate the coast-to-coast talents of US-All).

The other way-cool ice creations: add-your-own-face person, (I did), a magnificent eagle, and a Klemm Realty sponsor sign of ice. I also made it to the ski jumps. Awesome Jumpers!!)

 Every'buddy' likely gets inspired by seeing youth and older folks (one in his 50s) of all genders  taking flight. Ski jumping is a rather fanciful high-skilled sport even for our modern times when sports talent is a growing industry.

A lovely friend who used to ride horses in a circus (and train elephants..see Circus Flora online) but is now wheel-chair bound for over 15 years insisted I see the snowboarding in the Olympics since my son Kaelan loved that sport and had some budding talent in that area. I'm sure Kaelan would have taken great delight in being part of such an endeavor had he had more earth years allotted to him. It's always heartwarming to know people are pursuing their dreams and sports of all kinds!

These competitive Salisbury youth take on the awesome adventure of launching off a jump after a steep descent then taking flight as though mythical bird-human creatures over the snow. I need to learn more about the technical aspects and the qualifying levels for Junior Olympics...but it's all there in Salisbury CT as it has been for decades with stalwart leadership and dedication from many to keep it going and afloat financially. 

Salisbury also happens to be my hometown for my first 4 years of life, the 10th of a dozen children born in the spring of 1963 to Dale and Mary Palmer,Sr. (now both gone over a decade from this earthly plane but still cherished as special parents and hard-working, caring people.)

The northwest corner was a central part of rearing my own children. After a short stint in New Haven and Fairfield High Schools, I danced and studied my way off to Vassar in the 80s (along with Lisa Kudrow, Jon Tenny, Hope Davis and many stellar alums such as Meryl Streep and a scientist who helped discover 'the G-d particle which creates matter out of non-matter...but that's another story). I was a psychology, education and rather spirited more than talented dance student.  

While many send their kids to daycare and private schools, I was a full time Mom for 15 years plus. Sadly, I then had to to live apart from them for many years for reasons beyond my control. Newsflash: There is a growing epidemic that allows for mismanagement of important matters for protective parents, and even youth such as in the Kids for Cash documentary which explores the profit-driven and often corrupt court and prison (and likely other social service agencies linked to foster care, custody and much more). See sites like Safe Kids International and www.barrygoldstein.net to get the high-low on how bad kids and protective moms have it in US-All courts today (and PLAN accordingly should you want, have or get kids or legally married.)

This trend of disconnects and leaving people of all ages in the trenches is a difficult reality along with many known stressors on parents and people in general such as affordable housing, rides, jobs, and support for longterm needs and even friends. The good times and hard ones are all part of the human stories in each area, state and country..all worth thinking through with love and wisdom to smoothe the collective path.

In  June 2009, just as the last days of school wrapped up, I had asked many to watch our kids and in earlier months had asked them not to  let them go to the Housatonic River alone, without a safe plan and skilled parents (Dads) with them if they were boating. I did not realize that a group of young teens had planned to go 'check the high water out' or even swim in it

Yet the day after an unwanted divorce process of a few years was legalized, I learned that our teen son Kaelan passed away at age 16 in June 2009 in the Falls on the Salisbury side of the Housatonic River in an unsupervised (yet likely approved by some adults or not known about or allowed by some concerned parents).

I learned of this terrible tragedy challenge shortly after I crossed the Amesville Bridge. I had been headed to a friendly drum circle which is held regularly at St Johns, a lovely church right on Main Street in Salisbury CT and reflect on that time more on the post  Remembering Kaelan.

While learning of our son's loss by the river's edge, I felt life had never been so unbelievable and that it might be too much to comprehend. Indeed, I feel I've had to re-route my life in many ways due to unforeseen changes that were coming at me from many directions for years leading up to that final big challenge. Going on faith and a willingness to learn all I could about dealing with many difficult aspects of life and our society  would be a tribute to our son's courage and the heroism many displayed in rescue efforts for years.

I have benefitted from taking a lot of time to 'feel, heal to deal with things in a holistic, caring manner'. Faith, friends, new people sharing their struggles and ways of considering what life is all about (see other posts) have all been like life rafts and even given me a sense of feeling it is okay to live each day fully and keep loved ones in mind whether near, far or 'beyond' the mortal realm.

I decided to allow the nurturing center of Salisbury and all of the tri-corner area to be instrumental in healing for me in months and years following the passing of our son (whom I write about in other posts as well) who tried to save a friend from dangerous waters.

While Kaelan did not make it out, his friend was rope-rescued by a brave friend and timely responder named Skip Kosciusko. The difficulty of that day and the many days of searching in the river are a tribute to dozens of rescue workers who give of their time and skill tirelessly for many challenging episodes of country living.

An overall  inspiration is to lend a hand while still on land (to think before  you act if possible, wait for help which should signal with horn and flare alerts as approaching much like sirens do).

There's  a hand sculpture reaching out of a stone wall near the LaBonne's market square by the Bulletin Board that is one of many 'signs' that I noticed that made me feel I was discovering messages as much as trying to make sense of things. Reading books on the afterlife, many lives, karma and healing all have been helpful amidst uphill battles of turf wars, property rights and much more whether personal, social, legal or political struggles. 

For over  a decade I have put up posters and  written letters (see more on Tom Drew, a beloved elderly man who wandered from his home and went missing in the tri-corner area articles.)  Take care of folks with dementia with 24-7 safety and direct supervision within sight at All times) to encourage community and teamwork in life as we have in sports. Being part of a team effort is a growing idea in many states and countries.

We can make the connections between personal heroism (even caring for oneself on all levels and socially, including asking for help) and that of larger issues which really require group support and larger agreements and funding to implement.

Even dealing with the aftermath of personal and shared transitions or 'losses' of familiar programs, capabilities, relationships and people to illness or death have become an acknowledged arena of working through feelings and options together. Those on the other great shore likely are aware of our mortal and earthly scenario as more circles are considering (or yes, maybe not concerned as many teachings promote).

On that note of spiritual possibilities in our mortal world and beyond, a tribute to remember and connect as one feels led with one's loved ones or others who have journeyed on may be a gateway to honoring all those who have walked the earth, and consider the lessons learned by their example.

People who have faced challenges with courage and support often can be warmly remembered as role models. Yet those who have struggled with their existence or hurt others have also shown us a message not to be forgotten and which can help us all learn to prevent such difficulties with better care for people, the earth and our resources.

The ideas of karma, past lives and even future lives, planning for children in a myriad of ways (including more advanced, affordable types of in vitro and families choosing to connect through agreements rather than only or primarily through biology or traditional kinship circles).

All of these factors could be pondered online and by local and social groups. Key to determine is what the laws and programs are that govern or could be instituted to reflect fair and peaceful (as well as affordable and logical) values and skills.

Many good ideas start with a dream..whether like those of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr  or Olympic Athletes (which locally include Jamie McEwan in Whitewater Boating, whose earthly run timed out in June 2014  five years after our son Kaelan. With support from Jamie, many Olympic hopefuls and skilled boaters trained near the Iron Bridge to boat between gates on whitewater, including David Paton, Kaelan's dad who had almost made an Olympic boating team.)

The highs of one's life are easier to mention than the lows or challenges, but learning can come from each. From the great support at memorial services such as Kaelan's which is on youtube, or seeing a host of friends and boaters at another's service, we feel honored to have such exemplary people in our midst. 

More and more, sharing gratitude for others in our lives is a growing theme. Not all excel at sports or a particular aspect of life, but all are parts of the puzzle called life. The big IF in life is one we explore day and night. Some have clear goals and almost gift-from-God talents (especially when they focus their efforts).

Then the real game of life begins for those striving, those witnessing and being moved by the efforts of others and seeing their way through to achieving their own progress. Believing in a Higher Power if becoming a more cool thing than many had realized before, whether as  part of a recovery program or taking in the miracle of life, nature and our shared collective journey.

The music to dream a little bigger and clearer and even fairer is being heralded around the globe, just as the bigger problems of climate change and political games (buying elections or gaining civility) are looming in ever larger arenas. We are blessed to have the setting and spirit to soar above it all and keep the dreams alive to mark the seasons of the year and of our lives.

Kudos to both teams for an astounding turn-around Super Bowl game with the New England Patriots winning (my son's and his family's team they still enjoy rooting. Who knows Grandpa Sandy and Kaelan may have helped from heaven although their ethics for fair play would rule that out).

As each year unfolds, more miraculous skilled action will light up the air and spirits of those tuning in to an array of sports and skills (see some awesome snow-scultures online and catch news of events on media or in person at local schools, arenas, theatres and more). We're all in the game of life and can play it best as teammates and dreamers. The facebook page for Kaelan is one that marks the years since his passing and more efforts to reflect on such remarkable lives and challenges can be part of a collective healing trend.

Overall we could all be more inspired to greet each day with more inspiration and effort to maintain our health and the many gifts of good will and team work which make life a worthwhile journey. Onward, ho to A"-Ho-USA-Tonic" healing adventure with high-5s to those watching from with love from above! May healing and helping be part of everybuddy's legacy while living and beyond!!