Thanks...for the memories

Can it really be that summer has been reduced to only a...memory? Not so distant, I realize, but still a mere recollection, a reflection of something past?

It seems it just began...early June...summertime at last...backpacks cleared of any and all lingering papers, notes and miscellaneous projects, hot pink shorts and striped t-shirts, tank tops and flip flops take place of tennis shoes, ankle socks and navy and white...white and navy...Friends from morning til dusk, bike rides, sweating brows, popsicles and pool days. Late nights, Lagoon, water parks and (my personal favorite) late, lazy, loafy summer mornings.

Now it's over.

School supplies are strewn across the dining room table, new shoes lie stacked by the front door. Anxious anticipation, homework, intermittent friends, cooler temperatures, early bedtime and (my personal least favorite) those monotonous, schedule-ridden early mornings.

Gratefully, ensconced between these two contrasting lifestyles, lies weeks of fantastic, fulfilling, adventurous fun that will remain rooted in our minds to be visited and reflected upon as truly one of the greatest Warner family summers of all time.

Swimming pool, sunshine and cousins...nothing beats St. George in the summer!





Tarzan at Tuacahn (FABULOUS!)




First time to Moab translated into favorite family trip of all time!

We spent one day on the river, another at Slick Rock in a Hummer!










What better way to bid farewell to summer 2010 than a labor day weekend at Scofield?

hanging in there

Summer's been a bit crazy. I'm going to pull myself back up...take a deep breath...and accomplish lots and lots and lots...and lots of things.

...I can do it

...I hope

take time

Yes, there is life beyond Haiti.

No, I have not forgotten about the four little darlings born to me. (and no, I have not contemplated trading them for others of the beautiful brown Haitian variety.)

Yes, I know I am behind on updates. WAY behind...I know.

No, I am not dedicating my blog to my relief work in Haiti (for that I have a website www.myaidforhaiti.com).

Yes, I recognize the significant moments I have yet to record for posterity sake.

Reasonable questions accompanied by simple, truthful (for the most part) answers tumble through my mind as I juggle my new endeavour with the many goings on in a household of six including a hard working, (basically brilliant) hubby, two vacillating (one mobile, both pretty) teenagers, one daughter with a heart of gold, but dabbling in pre-adolescent moods and attitude and a little boy who adds the exclamation point to our composition of family with funny antics and cute hair.

As the days of April/May rush by, touting hints of summer, but refusing to commit, I reflect on recent weeks of glamour, worry, recovery, story telling and celebration and contemplate the quickly passing days as we attempt to grasp this rapid time continuum and...enjoy ourselves a little!

Glamour...PROM



Lexi was stunning in sapphire. Her hair curled and cascading. First date. Cute boy. I cried. She has grown up so very fast. I love the young woman she has become. I actually like her better than the funny (sort of strange) little girl she came from...






Worry...DRIVING



Skilled and confident, but still inexperienced behind that wheel. I have never appreciated the sound of the garage door rising as much as I do now.

Recovery...ROO'S SURGERY

Kelsey's left ear has always had a mind of its own. Asymmetrical without any folds to tuck it into place against her head, it has added to her quirky uniqueness and has forever been an endearing trademark...(to me) but to her it has been a distraction, a difference, and in a world where perfection is thrust upon her from every angle, it was regarded, by her, as a shortcoming, a flaw--one that she'd like repaired.

So we had it done.

But...she had to go through this...



to look like this...



(lovely...but now she believes it!)

Story telling...Luke's moment

He marched up to the microphone to recite the tale that nabbed him a first place trophy. His story was titled "If I were a Leprechaun." I think he would be adorable as a tiny little green man...as long as he kept his toothless smile and irresistible shaggy hair.




(This year Luke has discovered the glorious wonder of books and the joyful release of writing. I couldn't be happier!)


Celebration...Jaycee's birthday

Jaycee is the most thoughtful person I know. (and I know a lot of people) This year for her birthday she decided to fore go a party with friends and instead spend an afternoon with me (her most favorite person) (it's true, ask her) getting manis and pedis, and shopping for fun, fresh, fabulous new linens for her bedroom. It was relaxing, silly and all around awesome.





Time is an interesting thing. It literally races by with a pace increasing each day, month and year and leaving little in it's impetuous quake but a more aged and hurried me.

No, I do not want time to stand still. I want my children to grow, progress, live, love and enjoy.

Yes, I want time to stand still. I want to cherish this time when all of them are at home, under my wing of influence and guidance but mature enough to explore, change and decide on their own.

There will often be questions.

Sometimes there will be answers.

Always there will be time to appreciate, laugh, love, live and enjoy.

If we take it.

Take time.

I think I've found my theme for summer...!

hait (part 4...the wrap up)

Meet Wynchesla Jules...



Of all those I met in Haiti, Wynchesla was the one I tucked deepest into my heart.



It was day three, the clinic gates were closed and patients were slowing filtering out with splints cradling fractured wrists and radial bones. Bulky bandages covered wounds cleaned for the first time in days. Kim and I were just about to take a much needed seat on a stack of Pedialyte boxes when a young girl suddenly appeared in front of us.

"Do you know what I like?" she asked (in very impressive english).

(one of us) (in a slightly condescending voice) (we were TIRED) "No, what do you like?"

"I like milk ." She looked at us intently.

(one of us) (continuing the slightly patronizing tone) "I like milk too...it's yummy!"

"You got some milk in there?" She motioned with her head toward our supply tent.

(one of us) "You know what, you can have some water, I will get you some water, how does that sound?" (still a bit aloof but a little more cheery)
(got up, walked into the supply tent and grabbed three bottles of water)

"Thank you," the girl said as she kept us locked in her persistent gaze and showed no sign of moving on.

(one of us) (feeling a little uncomfortable) "Ok, here's the deal, we do have milk in there, but we can't give it to you because it's not ours to give." (unsure smiles)

(hands on hips, confident little smile...) "Oh, you can get me some milk..."

(both of us) "We'll be right back."

We emerged from the tent unseen, handed her two small black plastic bags each containing two boxes of milk, then swore her to absolute secrecy.

Miss Wynchesla Jules. Thirteen years old. Funny, smart, beautiful, sassy and talented (she knew every word to every one of Michael Jackson's songs!).

Wynchesla's father was killed in the earthquake, her home was "broken," and she, her mother and three younger siblings were living in the tent city across the street from the police station. Wynchesla entertained us with her unbelievable talent, charmed us with her intelligence and wit, and melted our hearts with her tenacity, strength and courage. She wants nothing more than to come to the United States to live and go to school. Kim has offered her home, her life and herself to this young girl full of potential and promise. Wynchesla calls Kim "momma" and will hopefully be here by summertime!






I believe Wynchesla embodies all I hold dear about the Haitian people. She represents the strength and perseverance of a remarkable group of human beings. Despite profoundly difficult circumstances, harrowing living conditions and tragic personal loss, Wynchesla maintains focus on the positive aspects of her life and she continues to work toward her hopes and dreams.

For six days in January I worked harder than I have ever worked before while living in conditions much more trying and arduous than any I have encountered in my life. I donated my time and my skills to strangers. I gave...I did. But...I gained so much more!

My life changed the day I woke up in Haiti. I became more grateful, less demanding, more optimistic, less disparaging. My friend Kim said it so well..."what will we ever complain about again?"

I have traveled to Haiti, I have given my heart to the people and in turn I carry a bit of their compelling experience and enduring spirit within me. I will be forever grateful that funny little girl crossed my path. I will never forget the great gifts of Haiti I have been so fortunate to receive.

haiti (part 3)

In the words of JT, one of our most illustrious post-op patients who had the MOST DIFFICULT time coming out of anesthesia...

"I need someone...by my side!"

My time in Haiti was spent working side by side with gifted doctors, surgeons, nurses and paramedics. Talented in their fields, and remarkably compassionate and charitable in their personal lives, these people guided, supported and comforted me through the most formidable endeavour of my life. Their examples, shaped by their experiences on various and multiple service missions prior to the earthquake, inspired me to dedicate myself to humanitarian service in the future (hopefully with them!).

Dr. Vishy Broumand...outstanding surgeon from Florida...kept us on our toes with his wit and fabulous sense of humor!


Dr. Herold Duroseau is a pediatrician from Brooklyn. He is originally from Haiti and was able to communicate with our patients both in word and thought...he lost family members in the quake and his dedication and compassion touched all those he came in contact with.


Kimberley Williams, RN from LA...my girl, my sister! Friends for life we share a love and devotion for Haiti that will produce great things in the future! Kim was my inspiration, confidante and protector through our week long adventure.


Ome and Marie Winter (interview with CNN) Ome (pronounced oh-me ) is the director of Mission Rescate, a Christian based group from the Dominican Republic, responsible for providing medical care, food, supplies and medication for hundreds of homeless and injured Haitian people. Our clinic developed and ran under the cloak of this incredible woman's efforts. Faithful and devout, Ome's life literally revolves around providing aid to others. Never in my life have I met a more humble servant of God.

Marie is a fabulous, sassy nurse practitioner who gave me Xanax and loads of invaluable advice!

Dr. John Briggs is a family practice physician who currently lives in Togo, Africa as a Christian missionary. I would frequently hear him ask the locals "have you met Jesus?" John's experience made him a valuable asset to the clinic.
(plus, he was brilliant! learned the language in three days!)


Merari Rodriguez, a nurse from Florida, has already been back to Haiti for another week! Adorable but tough as nails...Merari is a friend for life!


Kim, Mary Oestreich, RN and me at the mountain home of a generous Haitian pastor.

(2 days of (wicked!) diarrhea + 5 days of insomnia = me looking like THIS!)



Jonathan Cotton, RN from Los Angeles...mature well beyond his twenty-five years, and gorgeous to boot! Jon took care of me when I was dehydrated, listened to my woes about having the runs...IN HAITI, and expertly gave me IV fluid to perk me up for another day in the clinic.



We took a little field trip to the beach on a Sunday afternoon, a group of us accompanied by ever-protective police officers. Exhausted after several days of grueling, emotional work, the get-a-way proved exactly what we needed to rest and recharge. Although the beach was not overly scenic, it offered a respite from the noise, smells and chaos of camp. My colleagues and I were able to sit and talk, learn about one another and share stories about our "regular lives." I will forever cherish that time and that much needed escape. It was yet another experience that bound us together not only as medical volunteers, but as friends, life long friends who would forever share the remembered sights, sorrows, joys and triumphs of a country broken but not destroyed.




I needed someone...by MY side...I am grateful for those who stood by me, taught me, and loved me despite my inexperience, insecurities, (illness!) and fears.