My Biography by Matt, my Grandson

I finally got to read the biography that my grandson, Matt, wrote about me. Here is the picture that he used for the cover. Yes, that is me, grandma, with a cardboard cut out of Don Draper, in bed. This was used for one of my older blogs. I should be embarrassed but I am not. Now here is the biography.

My oldest grandson, Matt, interviewed me a number of times. It seemed to take him quiet a long time to actually write and finish the biography about me. It amused me at times, where I laughed out loud quite a few times. Other times, I was touched and moved by what Matt had written about me. Since he wrote it, I have to believe he meant it.

The laughter came when he pointed out that I was from Cleveland and unfortunately, I was a Browns and Cavs fan. Sorry, I have left Cleveland in the 60s an lived in other places but I can’t shake off the football and basketball teams that I grew up with and cheered on.

What touched me the most was where Matt had written that I was a big influence on him and I made him a better person. I also was a big influence on him to read and write. I liked that because I am a reader and a writer myself. I also happen to think that Matt is an awesome writer.

I loved how Matt viewed me and wrote about me. It made me feel that besides trying to have an influence on my adult children, I have touched and taught some important lessons to my grandson.

After reading the biography, I decided that my role now as a grandmother is a very important one. I never realized how much influence I could have on my grandchildren.

I am only sorry that I haven’t been able to convert Matt to become a Browns or Cavs fan, yet!

The Drought is Over for Cleveland

The last time Cleveland has seen a championship team and win was in 1964. There has been a 52 year drought for the town, with their football, baseball and basketball teams coming up short. They have come close to a win but with the infamous drive, fumble, shot, and last inning let down - those elusive championship rings and titles were snatched from the teams and the town.

I grew up in Cleveland and have been a Browns, Indians, and Cavs fan my whole life, despite moving away from Cleveland when I got married. I have lived in Pittsburgh for almost 40 years and have lived where there have been lots of championships won by the sports teams. I know what a winning team looks like. I also know how it feels to cheer one on and have Mondays be happy ones during the football seasons. I have watched the parades and celebrations on the local television.

As a Cleveland fan…I have high hopes before the sport seasons begin, only to face disappointment and echo what every other Cleveland fan says, “Wait until next year!”

But last night was different. I watched the Cavs play the Golden State Warriors and when Cleveland was down 3-1 in the series…I wished and hoped for a miracle. I didn’t want to face another year without that championship feeling. Game 5, 6, and 7 saw a different Cavs team. I saw a different LeBron James. I saw pure determination and concentration on his face. I know when he left to play with the Miami Heat; I was upset and disappointed in him. I have come to realize, that he needed to leave and win championships. After two back to back wins, he came back home. LeBron, who is from Akron, Ohio, came back home and back to the Cavs. He promised a championship and he set one up.

Last night, I not only set my DVR to record the game but I watched it live and then re-watched it, again. I was nervous and when the last second ticked off the clock…I opened my window and screamed my head off. The drought was over, the curse was lifted and the Cavs brought home a championship to a city and its loyal fans, after 52 years. I finally found out what it meant to feel happy and have a championship team. It felt awesome and it felt good.

Thanks to the Cavs for that awesome feeling. But mostly, thank you LeBron for coming back home and fulfilling a promise!

Best of Fare Thee Well Tour

On my two hour drive to Cleveland, I filled the time and the inside of my car by listening to the music of the Grateful Dead, blaring from my CD. I was playing the Best of Fare Thee Well tour from Chicago, Illinois, Soldier Field on July 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th of 2015.

It was difficult to believe that the music of the Grateful Dead has been around for 50 years! As I listened to the first two songs – Box of Rain and Shakedown Street, I was surprised at how weak the singing sounded. It was the Grateful Dead music and songs but I realized that those musicians were older…some in their 70s. They still could play their instruments and they did with feeling but the voices were somewhat frail.

I love their music and the way they play, going on and on with their feelings and letting the music flow and with their improvisation. Every time they played a song they changed it up or added more. The music of the Dead struck something inside of its followers. Right now, it struck me as how carefree their music was and how listening to it, I didn’t want it to stop. I felt myself being carried back in time.

The music brought me back in time to when the Dead became phenomena, when the music took off, and it mostly kept our minds off our daily problems. It kept our minds off of the war. It helped fuel the days, it made young girls follow the band and sometimes to see the band they made jewelry to sell and buy a ticket to the concerts. I like the fact that you could record the Grateful Dead concerts without getting hassled or arrested. The music was to listen to, enjoy, and share with other Dead Heads.

With the Farewell Tour, I was disappointed with the astronomical prices of the tickets. I knew in my heart, that Jerry would be frowning over this. This was all about the promoters and making a lot of money. For me, I was just plain disgusted and disappointed.

I am grateful that I have a ton of CDs of the Dead in their prime, where their voices were strong and robust.  This Farewell CD had a lot of their songs included in it. The voices were weaker but the music still had their passion. It was a Farewell tribute, indeed. Thanks for the memories and a vault full of songs!

We Walked For Nolan

 

Last November, Nolan was born. Less than 24 hours, he was rushed to Children’s Hospital and had surgery for a severe GI problem called Hirschsprung’s Disease.  Nolan would stay in Children’s for close to two weeks. If we had to choose a place to be at…Children’s was the place. It was one of those hospitals that see a lot of children with the same problem and where babies are transported there because of the expertise of the doctor’s and staff.

Nolan is doing well now. Pretty much, he had a procedure done and we are hoping that it will solve a lot of his problems. For a six month old baby…he has had his share of hospital stays. But he is the sweetest laid back baby that anyone would love. He just rolls with everything with a big smile plastered on his face.

 

On Saturday, I went to the Children’s Hospital Walk at Schenley Park, along with my daughter, Becca, Nolan, and Will. We were there with 2500 people who attended this yearly event. It is a walk for the hospital and a fund raiser. There were small groups of people and larger groups walking to show their appreciation to the hospital. The fundraiser netted $600,000.00! To me, this was totally amazing. People were giving back to the institution, doctors, nurses, and all those people who helped them through some pretty tough times. Without Children’s Hospital, I don’t know what would have happened to Nolan. I would hate to even speculate.

But the day was fun and it was a pleasant way to fund raise. The sponsors for the event gave away a number of things…Smiley Cookies from Eat’ n Park, Dilly Bars from Dairy Queen, doughnuts,  a complimentary breakfast, free water, and more. There was face painting, free bike helmet give aways, games, special appearances from Batman, a Minion, Marshall from Paw Patrol, and a few others. The Carnegie Museum, even had a Dinosaur walking around, too!

I know that my daughter and grandchildren appreciated the day and we already have decided to try and get more of our family to participate in this special event, next year.

For now, I want to thank Children’s Hospital and their wonderful staff for everything that they did for Nolan!