At the end of the day yesterday I finally had time to take Michael out to the driving range not far from our house, so he could hit some golf balls.
It was a first for both of us. I don't play golf - except putt putt, but that likely doesn't count. Michael wanted to use his new/old golf club. Unfortunately, we figured out it's too long for him. The folks inside gave him a shorter club and that worked fine.
He hit 90 golf balls, some quite wildly, some beautifully. The guy next to us gave him some tips. I told him next time don't wear sandals. I noticed if he planted his right foot and swung his hips he hit better.
My grandfather Hasty loved golf, as did two of my four uncles - Bobby Hasty and Bobby Thompson. Dad liked golf but he wasn't a good player, because he lacked patience. He was better at faster games like tennis.
I told Mike he couldn't go to the driving range until he did some laundry. As soon as we got the new washing machine, we put it to use. Michael did several loads yesterday, and still has another load to do today. I'm hoping it rains this afternoon so his tennis match will cancel, and he can study for a Biology test and finish his laundry.
Mother went with us to Kroger yesterday, for the first time in a long time. The weather was beautiful. She gets in her little motorized cart and zips around all over the store. The cart she got yesterday was awful, unfortunately. It ran out of gas and left her stranded in the meat section. I felt so bad for her. Michael went up front to get her another cart, but it took some time, because the store was crowded and a lot of the carts were out.
Michael got to play tennis with a friend of mine yesterday morning who has been playing for many years, and they had a good session. While he played I had a chance to talk to another friend of mine down in the tennis hut, a fellow writer, and that was so pleasant. I also just enjoyed being outdoors - the hut is open to the air.
I made this last summer in the tennis hut - Bart, Colton and a little buddy were watching Michael play tennis.
Michael talked to Alesia after dinner last night, for almost 30 minutes. She likes to call and talk to him and catch up. She doesn't like talking to me because I am incapable of keeping the conversation light, and invariably I blurt out Mama stuff like "When are you going to finish your GED?!" or "When are you going to get a job?!" Michael has more self-control. He doesn't like to talk on the phone a lot, but these conversations with his sister are good for him, forcing him out of his shell, making him express himself.
We finished watching Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Great film. Anyone trying to teach kids about the Senate and how it works should show them this film. Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur are superb.
My friend/cousin Lesleigh, who is out in Austin Texas studying acupuncture, sent me a link to a really interesting story, Ear acupuncture 'changing lives' of those affected by PTSD. I am skeptical, but I hope it's true, I really do. I would love for Alesia [who has severe PTSD] to get treated with acupuncture.
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Whether or not he ever becomes a great golfer, I love that Michael is eager to try new sports. He was in a good mood all day yesterday, looking forward to trying to hit the golf ball. There is no reason to think people with limb differences can't do sports.
I am reading Double Take: A Memoir, by Kevin Michael Connolly, a young man who was born without legs but has become a writer and athlete. We watched some of his new show on the Travel Channel yesterday. He is really a smart, funny guy, with a terrific attitude about his disability. Watch Meet Kevin Michael Connolly and I think you will be amazed.
Kevin gets stared at and questioned all the time. Michael gets some of that, but not as much. There was a 6 year old little brother of Mike's opponent watching them play tennis the other day, and the child said "Look, Mom! He doesn't have a hand!" and the mom shushed him. I debated whether or not to explain it, but decided not to get into it right then. It's Mike's story to tell. He won his match. I figure that's the best way to show the child that you don't need 4 limbs to play tennis.
A friend sent me an article in the paper yesterday about a climbing clinic sponsored by Catalyst Sports and I am excited about it. I signed Michael up, after showing him the information. He is eager to climb. I know Michael will have fun. It's wonderful the folks at Catalyst are doing this.