SMELLS LIKE FIFTH GRADE

I am constantly in awe of the human brain and the memories it is able to store. The minutia of thought and emotions, a mere smell or quick turn of my head can evoke the most vivid of memories or recollection of a time gone by in my short and relatively uneventful life.


Opening the door this beautiful sunny morning, I let loose the dogs for their morning ritual of running around the fenced in yard. A giant playpen, it is where they play with each other as they chase and jump and playfully maul. Even though they are all different shapes and sizes, it is a way of expressing their love for each other. One will jump on the back of the other, trying to nip at their collars, or run around to the front, tugging on their ears. It is never done in anger, and if they could laugh, I am sure there would be large guffaws and back slapping as they race round the yard, doing lap after lap of their own Indy 500.

They learn from each other and they teach each other.

As I opened the screen door, I breathe deep the air. It is a clear, winter morning and the wind has died down. After a few days of wind and snow, the grassy area is replaced with the hard packed white blanket on which they will run.

But it is the smell of the air this day that holds my attention and catches my breath, for it is a smell that I have breathed in once before, seemingly eons ago. It brought back a memory in an instant that brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye.

It was a winter day in 1964 and I was in fifth grade. I was the new kid in school, yet again, for my family moved a lot. We never left New York State, but my father’s job required he manage different petroleum distribution plants. The hours were long and it seemed like he was always working, so living as close to the plant as we could was a concession my parents always made.

Although it was hard to say goodbye to friends I had made over the years, I knew that it was really a good thing for me. It taught me how to talk to anyone and to get the heart of the matter of someone in order to be their friend.

This time around, we had moved very close to the elementary school I attended. It was a move that suited me, for I loved going to school. Our house was at the top of the hill and the school was located in the gully below. Every morning I would open the back door of the kitchen and walk down the hill to be joined by the students milling around outside. We lived so close I could hear the kids laughing and yelling, playing tag or throwing snow balls.

Opening the door one sunny, winter morning, I caught the whiff of the cold breeze wafting up from the gully, bringing the voices of the children waiting for the door to opening down below. It is the smell that has stayed with me all these years and was awakened this morning, buried deep within my psyche in safekeeping for when it was called forth once again.

They saw me and I saw them. “Hey! Eileen! Come on!” they yelled and I smiled to myself that I was welcomed and loved, for that was not always the case. 

I looked towards the dogs as they circled back around to the doorway, content they had completed their laps and ready for a kiss and a cookie.

Letting them in, I lingered just a moment longer as I breathed deep the memory of being a 5th grader in the wintertime, filling my lungs and my mind once again with its sweet fragrance.

GOING HOME

I'm sitting in a comfy chair at the O'Hare Airport terminal, waiting for my flight to bring me back home to New York and the Village of Pultneyville.

It's the last flight of my year long trek promoting my last book, and also a way to visit most of my family scattered across these great United States.

It's been a great time and a learning experience as well. Although I kept my events contained to either a Barnes & Noble or a Borders book store, each event was unique to itself.

Every CRM (Community Resource Manager) sets up their event differently. Sometimes I've been seated in the back of the store, other times right so close to the entrance you could trip over me.

There have been readings which required either a wireless mic, other times a podium where I stood for three hours before rows of half occupied white folding chairs. Sometimes I am seated at the Starbucks Cafe, my short legs dangling from the stools against the high top tables.

Once I was placed in the children's section in the rear of the store, clearly the premise of my book misread by the CRM. It's ok, though - I always make it work and I always sell the books. Most importantly, I always have fun.

All in all, I'll be ready to do it again at the beginning of 2010 in order to promote my next book. For now, I am taking the long awaited break to get ready for the Red Neck Luau on July 25th, a great time to unwind and enjoy what is left of hopefully a dry summer.

The holidays will be here before we know it, the leaves turning crimson and gold and the lake a joyous backdrop and reminder of how this all started in the first place.

I will be home on the lake - with my Beloved, my Boys, and my Books.

CHRISTIAN AND JETTA

A short explanation on a complex diagnosis: Autism. It is a spectrum disorder, and although it is defined by a certain set of behaviors, children and adults with autism can exhibit any combination of these behaviors in any degree of severity. Two children, both with the same diagnosis, can act completely different from one another and have varying capabilities. You may hear different terms used to describe children within this spectrum, but more important than the term used to describe autism is understanding that whatever the diagnosis, children with autism can learn and function normally and show improvement with appropriate treatment and education. Every person with autism is an individual, and like all individuals, has a unique personality and combination of characteristics. Some individuals who are mildly affected may exhibit only slight delays in language and greater challenges with social interactions. They may have difficulty initiating and/or maintaining a conversation. Their communication is often described as talking at others instead of to them (e.g., monologue on a favorite subject that continues despite attempts by others to interject comments).

There are also many myths and misconceptions about autism. Contrary to popular belief, many children with autism do make eye contact; it just may be less often or different from a typical child. Many children with autism can develop good functional language and others can develop some type of communication skills, such as sign language or use of pictures. Children do not "outgrow" autism, but symptoms may lessen as the child develops and receives treatment. One of the most devastating myths about children with autism is that they cannot show affection. While sensory stimulation is processed differently in some children, they can and do give affection. However, it may require patience on the parents' part to accept and give love in the child's terms.

Christian Mast attends Sodus Primary School with his friend, Jetta. Jetta is a 16 month old Golden Retriever who has been fully trained by Four Paws Four Ability, an organization based in Ohio. (www.4pawsforability.org) Specializing in training service dogs, they supply the most autism service dogs in the United States. Trained in search and rescue, as well as behavior management, Jetta is Christian’s best friend and lifeline to the world at large.

Research has found children with autism react well to animals like Jetta. They often are unable to focus on the task at hand, are violent and become obsessive in their thinking when their awareness is transfixed on an object. Christian has an obsession with animals, so this was a blessing in disguise. When Christian is tethered to Jetta, she improves his social skills, making him aware of the people and events happening around him. When Christian is feeling erratic or exhibiting high energy, Jetta knows instinctively to lay on top of him to calm him down. She will lick his face and even slow down his breathing to bring him to a state where Christian is able to communicate more easily.

Christian’s mother, Erin, learned about dogs like Jetta when researching information to educate herself about autism. Finding Four Paws For Ability began an extensive search for the right animal for her son, as well as beginning the fundraising of funds needed to purchase her. Dogs like Jetta cost $14,000 to pay for the raising and training, and are placed with the family until they can no longer work. Then a search will begin again for a new ‘friend.’ She was placed with the Mast family when she was three years old, but many dogs can be placed as young as one year old.

An interesting and unique way to fundraise came in the form of a book, ‘written’ by Christian himself, based upon an experience he had one summer morning. He had accidentally wiped soap in his eye after his mother had asked him to wash his hands after handling a frog. His recounting of the experience resulted in a children’s book illustrated by Sodus Elementary art teacher Lisa Daniels, titled “Attack of the Killer Dinosaur Frogs.” A modern day fish tale, a common tree frog grows into 2 dinosaur frogs all while on a trip to the emergency room. You can purchase his book at www.lulu.com/content/4058717.

Erin is also a Parent Resource Specialist for the Advocacy Center, and runs a support group in Sodus. April was Autism Awareness month, but any month of the year is appropriate to educate those who are not familiar with Autism and the effects it has on a family and the child itself.

In Jetta, Christian’s family have found a unique link to their son, and an ability to hug him and hold him close. They are thankful for every day and the impact this furry friend has had on their lives.