Like Mother, Like Son: Carrying on Family Traditions

Our youngest son, Daniel is a lot like me. We have similar personalities so I totally ‘get’ him and it also totally drives me crazy. He is a whirlwind of energy, disorganization and chaos. Mix that with my own style and well, things can be kind of challenging for the rest of the family. But as I told him one day after his dad had gotten on him about the general disorder of his life ~ “Hey, chin up! We’re messy … but we’re FUN!”

And thus was born our trademark slogan. Whenever either of us needs a quick pick-me-up, that line and a big hug is sure to do the trick.

“Daniel Just Makes You Smile!”

Can’t tell you the number of times that I’ve heard that comment ~ from our family and friends to patient teachers and good-humored department store clerks. He has an infectious smile and a gift for making people laugh ~ sometimes at inopportune moments. (I said we were similar, didn’t I?) This child radiates joy. He also inherited some of my natural flexibility, but more on that later.

The Party Trick ~ My Early Days

Long before I took up yoga, I discovered that I could hook my ankles behind my head, I believe this occurred one afternoon while watching Gilligan’s Island. From that early form, it just evolved. I found that with a small assist to get upright, I could walk around on my hands in this position. I simply needed a LITTLE encouragement. (Well, not really.) At that point, it was officially dubbed “the party trick.”But wait, there’s more …

Then Came the Song

Next, I added in the vocals. While walking around on my hands with my ankles behind my head, I added the song Fifty Nifty, a great little number which culminates in the recitation of all 50 states in alphabetical order. This was a tune I learned for my second grade end-of-the-school-year performance.

There were 50 of us in two classes at Bowie Elementary in San Angelo, Texas in 1970 and each child was to represent a different state. As I remember, we all walked across the blacktop with an unremarkable placard bearing the name of our designated state. The pairing was based on height. Our teachers took all fifty kids and lined us up in order ~ shortest to tallest ~ and then determined the corresponding state.

I, being one of the shorter kids at the time, came in as “Iowa” which meant I was the 15th from the shortest kid who happened to be Billy Alexander (a.k.a. “Alabama”). There was quite a bit of upset, as I remember, when Robin Koederitz got to be Texas. Take note, teachers everywhere, these are the scars we bare! Though I wasn’t very happy about being Iowa, it was somewhat prophetic; after all, I married Brian who grew up in Des Moines.

Childhood scars aside, the song has served me well. I’ve won many a bet with my ability to list all 50 states alphabetically in under 25 seconds; I think my personal best was 19! (Thank you, Mrs. Carruthers!) I am also pretty good on Jeopardy questions that involve state answers because I can list them quite fast …

“This state has only one sylla …”

“What is MAINE?!”

“The number of states that begin with ‘New’ …”

“What is FOUR?!” (And if you need to know, it’s New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, & New York)

I completely dominate.

Jeopardy aside, you put the trick with the song and frankly, you’ve just got a great act!

Shown Here at a Limited Engagement

Here I am “performing” at the Seoul Restaurant & DK’s Sushi Bar. If you’ve never been there, it’s a treat. On Monday nights, the South Austin Sushi Pimp is in the house, dressed in disco attire for karaoke complete with a gong show and sake shots. Really … does it get any better than that? (It should be duly noted that I am in jeans AND strappy heels here people, not yoga clothes!)

Motherhood Moments

When our boys were little I would tuck them in bed, read stories, say prayers and SING. (Please hold your applause ’til the end.) I had three main songs in my repertoire: Marty Robbins’ Ballad of the Alamo (it’s a long one and often the kids fell asleep before Santa Anna ever breeched the wall), The Legend of Billy Jack (remember “One Tin Soldier”?) and then of course, the aforementioned, Fifty Nifty. Some people do short lullabies, I do epic ballads! To this day, all three of my boys can ALSO sing the 50 states in alphabetical order, a gift they will thank me for later in life, I’m sure.

The Legend Continues

Every October, our family goes camping at Garner State Park down on the Frio river along with several other families. Among our traditions is an annual talent show. It started for the kids but has been expanded to include the adults, and the acts range from magic tricks to skits by the campfire to dance numbers to yes, even a costumed unicycle gig. We go all out!

I performed the singing and dancing party trick only once, but then sat out the following year only to have my boys reprise the act. Like me, Daniel can get his legs behind his head, but he isn’t quite “advanced enough” to manage the singing part too. (Folks, don’t kid yourself, the combination takes YEARS to master!) Coming to his rescue, my oldest son stood beside his brother and proudly sang the states while Daniel held the pose to the cheers of the roaring crowd. I am so proud! (Will somebody please hand me tissue?)

Daniel at the Talent Show in 2007

Miscellaneous Trivia

I’ve been trying to figure out what exactly “party trick” coordinates to in yoga asana. As I peruse my copy of Light on Yoga, it seems pretty close to Yoganidrasana but without the bind in plate 391. Personally, I don’t think my form invokes ideas of sleep at all. Now the singing version of my pose is definitely more in keeping with plate 392, Dwi Pada Sirsasana, but with all due respect, it does not appear to me that Mr. Iyengar is reciting the “Fifty Nifty.” Perhaps the next edition.

By the way, I did not know until today when I googled the lyrics for Fifty Nifty that Ray Charles originally sang the song. Who’d a thunk it!?

* * * * *

To my Daniel … We’re messy but we’re FUN!

The King of the Dance Floor

All Systems Go!

My Mermaid at the Beach

Million Dollar Smile

The Sky’s the Limit, Baby, You Soar High!

* * * * *

One Final Note ~ You know how sometimes people will say a child looks like you but then you really don’t see it? Well let’s just say, I do. Some people have called this particular photo: “Daniel in a Dress.” Sorry baby, I had to throw this in.

At my sister’s wedding in 1973

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Garner State Park ~ A Yoga of Families

We are preparing for our annual multi-family camping trip — a trek down to Garner State Park near Uvalde on the Frio River. This year marks our 10th annual journey (or is it 11th?) The trip includes anywhere from 5 – 8 families, depending on the year, and it has become a honored family tradition, deeply ingrained in our psyche. Like the sparrows return to Capistrano each Spring, we journey to the Frio every October.

Last year’s gathering came just a few short months after I began a regular yoga practice. One of my fondest memories of that trip involved a lengthy morning practice on the shores of the Frio. While I had attended many classes, I had never really tried to practice “on my own.” So without much to go on, I gathered my mat and iPod (Sophia’s Chakra Healing Chants), headed down to the banks and simply began to bend and breathe with the sound of the river gurgling in the background. Almost 3 hours later, I wrapped up my practice with a headstand and shoulderstand despite some very uneven terrain, pausing long enough to take a photo of my feet up in shoulderstand. (I’ll post that picture later.)

On our group hike later that day, we reached the top of the “summit” and stopped for more photos. The breathtaking view was not to be contained in silence, but celebrated with enthusiasm. With the splendor of nature around us, the girls laughed, the boys painted their faces with cactus dye, grown men challenged one another to feats of strength with rocks & races, and families clamored up on rock piles to pose for that potential Christmas card shot.

And then … Spontaneous Yoga Broke Out! Amidst the laughter and shenanigans, I kicked up in a handstand near the edge of the cliff, creating a cool photo effect, even if there was a ledge on the other side had I gone over. (Shhh, don’t tell my secret!) Personally, I think the hiking boots are a nice touch, no?

* * *

Not to be outdone by his mother, Austin made an earnest attempt to follow in my footsteps … uh, make that …my HAND prints … as Brian looked on with fatherly pride (or perhaps amazement)!

Courtney’s moment followed. She gracefully stepped up and clasped her foot, moving into an elegant form of Natarajasana, Dancer’s Pose. Admiring “oo’s & ah’s!” were punctuated by the clicks a camera shutter. It was an unplanned “in the moment” moment, enhanced by the beauty around us.

As we prep for this year’s trip, I’m especially excited. With our son at college, it means a lot to me that he will make the time to join us. Similarly, most of the “regulars” are on board, and we welcome the return of old friends who are reestablishing their vital link to this core. Finally, this year’s presence of very dear “new” friends allows us to share our much-loved tradition with these special people. I cannot wait to gather.

I wade through a flurry of emails: what should we eat, what do we bring, what will we do along with the usual hikes & swims & potluck dinners? Packing my yoga mat, it comes to me: “I’ll offer to lead an organized class!” (So technically none of this crew is much for yoga; I can still relish the idea, people.) It would be so totally lovely to be in this setting sharing yoga with my children & friends.

Whether or not a class actually transpires, it’s all good. Truly, could there be anything more lovely than spontaneous yoga? Being present in the moment – here & everywhere – is really what it’s all about.

Yoga: a joining, a union; Garner: a yoga of families, a yoga of my family!

Namaste & Peace Out!

Pamela

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