Yesterday and Tomorrow

Sunday blog entries are kind of a rare treat, but you've all been so good lately that I thought you deserved one.

Plus, I want to give you a little heads-up that tomorrow is Lymphoma Awareness Day.

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But first -- Yesterday. It was a banner day in the household.

John had his first soccer game of the season. He had been a little hesitant about playing this year. He likes soccer a lot, but last year he was on a "difficult" team. The coach was a nice enough guy, but not much of an instructor. It was also a very good team, with 4 or 5 very strong players who always wanted the ball, and who were, well, jerks. Not that I want to say an 8 or 9 year old kid is a jerk, but they weren't very good teammates, and the coach didn't place a high priority on them all working together and encouraging one another. So last year John ended up not getting much help in getting better, and not getting much action, even when he was in the game.

This year is a little different. New coach who has worked with John a few times in practices and before the game. New teammates, some of whom are very good, and all of whom work together well.

John's team went up pretty quickly, 2-0. John didn't start, but when he was put in on offense, he did well, scoring his first goal in a couple of years to put his team up 3-0. The other team came back and scored twice before the half.

For the second half, John played goalie, something else he hasn't been able to do in over a year, and that he loves. He shut out the other team for the second half, and his team scored twice more. Final score: 5-2, with John playing a big part of the victory.

I'm sure they won't all turn out that way, but it was a great way to start the season, especially after last year's experience.

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The other big event yesterday was Catherine learning how to ride a two-wheeler. We've tried with her a few times before, but she got discouraged and we gave up. We know these things come when the kids are ready for them. Yesterday, she seemed ready. The boys take bike rides together around the neighborhood every now and then, and Peter rides with some friends after he does his homework, and of course Peter and I sometimes do a 10 mile ride (with a Dunkin Donuts stop) early Saturday mornings. So she's had some incentive to get in on the fun.

She's not completely there, but she's darn close. It's like St. Peter walking on the water -- she does great until she stops and thinks about it, then she panics a little bit and hits the breaks. We're going to try more today. A little more practice and she'll be flying along like my brother. (Or Pee Wee Herman. One or the other.)

Having all three kids riding a bike is one of those parenting milestones we look forward to reaching -- things the kids have to be able to do on their own, without any help. There are a bunch of them: Potty training. Tying their shoes. Using a knife and fork. Reading. Swimming. Isabel adds "making their own beds," but that seems to bother her more than it bothers me.

Anyway, they're growing up.....

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Now, Tomorrow:

September 15 is World Lymphoma Awareness Day, co-sponsored by about 30 Lymphoma-related health organizations around the world. Since so few people understand what the lymphatic system is and does, a theme of the Day (which began in 2004) is "Know Your Nodes," which I like, only because it sounds so much like "Nodes of Gold." Go to the Lymphoma Coalition website to take the Know Your Nodes quiz!

There are all kinds of events going on all over the place to support Lymphoma research and raise awareness. For example, the Red Sox honored the Lymphoma Research Foundation before their game a couple of days ago. And, of course, Tom and Mary will be getting sloppy drunk tomorrow in the name of Lymphoma. Or something like that. Go to the LRF website to find out if your local chapter is doing something interesting.

I know all of you don't have an issue with lymphoma awareness, but if you could pass the word on to your less-aware friends and co-workers, that would fabulous.