Moms wait around a lot. Start reading!

I love biographies and true stories. I watch a lot of Court TV.  I also really like stories about China, especially stories of life during the Cultural Revolution. I guess I am just fascinated with this society that was so brutal to it’s people. It was nuts!

Right now I’m reading “No Tears for Mao” by a woman named Niu Niu.  This is a true story. She tells her tragic story of her childhood years under the regime of Mao.  It was a time when anyone who was educated or artistic was considered an enemy of the people. Teachers and actors were beaten and sent to reeducation camps. Fear caused the general population to turn on each other and report any perceived transgression. There were public beatings and executions. You can’t make this stuff up!

Another Book I would recommend is “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” by Lisa See. This is a novel, not a true story. It takes place in 19th century China when girls had their feet bound, then spent the rest of their lives in seclusion.  Despite their sheltered lives, they managed to create secret writings and make lasting connections with each other.  This foot binding was crazy!

My son has been into music and theatre since he was 4.  He started collecting videos and sound tracks for musical (starting with the “Cats” video). He sang the songs (really loud!) all the time.  We would look at each other and say: “We’re living in a musical!”.  If you have a child with a passion at an early age, embrace it.  I think it is a very lucky child who loves something passionately.

This blog will talk about my son’s journey from 4-14 and the decisions we have made along the way. He has done a lot of theatre, attended a performing arts school, tried auditioning for commercials. Some things were good, some not so good. Each person has to take the path that is right for their family.  I will tell you why I made my choices.

This is the beginning of two series that tell the stories of some medical problems we encountered while my kids were growing up. My daughter is now 20 and my son is 14. Each encountered some baffling symptoms and would have probably never received a correct diagnosis if I had not been persistent. The reason for me telling these stories is to encourage you to be an advocate for your child and never give up when when your gut tells you there is something wrong.  I truly believe that no one knows a child like the mother. Never let someone tell you that your gut feeling is wrong until you feel it yourself.

I will tell these stories in installments, one called “Michael’ Story” and one called Kim’s Story”.