A Wrinkle in Time is NOT a nod to Madeleine L’Engle; though her book by the same title is one of my all time favorites. No, my title is reflective of the condition and transformational process of raising a teenager! For those of you who have passed this stage of life, you will smile with a sage wisdom of someone who has made it through this battle zone. If you have yet to trod this rough terrain yourself, you will have all the answers for every scenario connected to the hormonally raging adolescent–and happy to offer them I’m sure. And, if you are presently in the throngs of being witness to your child as angel with horns, as I am, then you will understand more profoundly the implication of my title.
I know, I know, I have nothing to complain about…Esther is a dream! It is true, she is. She is kind, loving, productive, and willing to learn…BUT, she is still a teenager. And dream or no dream, she can incite, in me, a wrath so deeply felt that in the moment of my vexation I feel it more safe to run away, than to open my mouth. In fact, I have found myself screaming (with my inner voice only), “Abort, Abort, Abort!” And in order to apply the directive within a reasonable amount of time, I begin to fantasize about my private Greek island. You know the one where no-one can find me. The isle of enchantment where I can stay while she finishes this important phase of life. My plan is to emerge from my sabbatical with not one furrow in my brow, nor one (more) line added to my face, nor white hair to my head. In my fantasy I have managed to avert the distress of my daughter’s adolescent folly, molding, and maturation. And with this avoidance I plan to find, in her stead, a beautifully stable woman who walks in wisdom and strength. AAAhhhh what a lovely idea!
Along the lines (no pun intended) of wrinkles…I am taking Cole back to Zhu’s Neuro-Acupuncture Center http://www.scalpacupuncture.org, the week after next. And because Cole and Piper (both) feel they need to be with each other, I consequently need to find a different lodging situation (our previous hosts politely declined Piper’s stay due to their own canine companion). We have received a couple of very generous donations which helped toward gas last time, and will actually cover the treatment this next time (how can I ever thank my precious Aunts?!). And in all honesty, if it weren’t for the fact that I wholeheartedly believe Cole will regain his full vision under the treatment and therapy regimen of Dr. Zhu, I wouldn’t take pains to make the trip again (especially with a dog). But since I am, I am asking for help, or a favor…
Right now I am looking into a hotel room for the three of us-Cole, Piper, and myself (a confinement which is sure to place new creases in my brow). I am also perusing VRBO.com and will contact a couple of condo owners to ask them if they will donate some nights to our cause (fund-raising is not my forte, but I will give it a go just the same). So if any of you has a connection with either an available home/condo/apartment or hotel in the San Jose area, please pass the blessing onto to us. I promise you, we are very grateful recipients–though mentioning it is quite embarrassing.
So there you have it; The good, the bad, the wrinkled, and the needy…oh what fun! Now don’t you just hear the beckoning of Greece?!
living in loss and gratitude 
The Noise