Archive for the ‘cerebral palsy’ Category

LOST IN THE SUPERMARKET (Series – 5)
March 5, 2015

When my husband travels it’s hard for me to motivate to cook much. I have a tendency to make a lot scrambles and random things like a bowl full of refried beans with a handful of grated cheese, eaten with a spoon, or avocado toast with tomatoes. Not really meals exactly but comfort and some nourishment. Cooking for one kind of makes me sad for some reason. However, this trip, while he’s in Austin eating some sort of bbq every day (he’s a bit of a bbq junkie), I was craving Thai food so I got a curry and some garlic rice and ended up with some left over rice so I decided to make my own Thai influenced fried rice with it:

MY PINEAPPLE FRIED RICE

1. Handful of sliced cabbage
2. One half of a small onion thinkly sliced
3. 1 Egg, beaten
4. Handful of fresh pineapple in bite sized chunks
5. One half of a zucchini, cut into ¼’ half moons
6. Handful of water chestnuts (okay, I use a whole small can because I LOVE them)
7. 1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger
8. 1 cup left over garlic rice
9. Splash of soy sauce
10. Splash of fish sauce
11. ½ tsp toasted sesame oil
12. ¼ cup fresh cilantro
13. ½ cup thinly sliced scallions
14. handful of toasted cashews
15. Squeeze of fresh lime juice

Heat a small amount of oil in a non-stick skillet. Add the onions, cabbage, zucchini and water chestnuts and cook until the onions are translucent and the other veggies are slightly soft. Remove from pan, and scramble the egg. Remove the scrambled egg and add the rice with the fresh ginger, soy and fish sauces and sesame oil. Toss together and return the veggies to the pan. Add the pineapple, scallions, cashews, cilantro and egg to the pan and mix well. Squeeze a bit of lime over the top and indulge.

The fact of the matter is, you can use any veggies you have around and can also include a protein if you want. It’s one of those dishes that is so simple but comforting and healthy.

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LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME
March 4, 2015

He has beautiful hands. They look like mine. I don’t often see myself in his face but I see my hands in his. Long, strong fingers and a rectangular shaped palm. They look capable and lithe. But they don’t serve him well.

I sometimes catch him watching me do things with my hands with a curiosity and intent. He pays attention as I chop or dice. He watches me fold laundry, turn pages, and brush his hair back from his eyes when it’s longer and floppy with curl. I find myself wondering what he’s thinking as watches how able my hands are. It’s one of those thoughts that always leave me sad.

I can’t imagine not having good use of my hands. He’s never had it so I accept that it’s what he knows but I cannot reconcile it with what he sees. It’s a conversation I wish I could have with him. I can’t help but wonder how he copes with grace and dignity. I admire his patience and get so much joy when he endeavors to hold my hand in his or when he strokes my back if it’s turned from him. He tries to stroke my cheeks when we’re snuggled up closely, mimicking the loving touch I often bestow upon his soft cheeks. His touch is not as gentle but the sentiment is so endearing that it feels like the sweetest, softest stroke.

Sometimes when he’s sleepy and the cat is curled up next to him, I catch him gently moving his fingers over Charlie. Charlie knows his touch is not quite gentle, but he too, after years of knowing the boy, knows that there’s love behind the pawing and he purrs contentedly, snuggled up against his favorite person. It’s the one of the dearest friendships.

I wish, I wish a great many things, but today, I wish he had more control and use of his beautiful hands. I wish he could easily run his hands through his hair, or grab a book, or push a button, or easily hold my hand…

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