All Holidays Dream

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Many years ago, I worked with a wonderful guy named John who, unfortunately, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often called Lou Gehrig’s disease.

ALS is a motor neuron disease that rapidly affects the nervous system, causing loss of neuro-musculature control.

As time passed, he did succumb from the disease. His wife set up an amazing life celebration in his memory.

Several years after John passed, both he and his wife showed up in my dream. I was not lucid in the dream, he was the leader, as he took me back to his house for an unforgettable second celebration that his wife Jacie had set up.

I think of John at all holidays. He left this life too soon, but I know I’ll meet him again one day.

I shared the dream with Jacie, and now with you.

Here is the All Holidays dream:

John and I were walking outside his condo complex. We were in the parking area, which was surrounded by several block walls of varying height.

Suddenly, John began jumping on all the walls like some sort of super hero. He encouraged me to do the same, which was not too easy for me. I think he was trying to tell me that no matter what happens, things will be okay.

When we got to the highest wall, we were able to leap onto his condo balcony. This was really one heck of a shortcut to his house.

Through the sliding glass door, the house was a kaleidoscope of colorful light. I could see fuzzy hues of red, green, blue, and yellow.

As we entered, the interior of the living room had been segmented into many small cubicles. Each cubicle had been decorated to represent a different world holiday.

Every imaginable holiday was represented. John, Jacie and I went into each cubicle and experienced the observed celebration, as if we had actually gone to the host country.

It was simply amazing! I did not understand how Jacie could pull this off and why. She told me that John did not have long to live, and she wanted him to experience all the joy the world had to offer. She was able to do all of this for him out of love.

I really believe that it was John’s way of telling us to love life everyday – the very best you can.

Remember to say “Hello” to your loved ones this Holiday Season – where ever they are!

Balance Paddle

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When I decided to build a balance board Hammerhead Balance Board, I also knew that I would need a safety net.

I was committed to strengthening my legs for hydrofoil surfing, but really did not like the idea of possibly falling and breaking a bone(s). So, instead of a net or pads, I thought I’d make a ‘Balance Paddle.’

The balance paddle, would act like a long cane, with a paddle at each end. The paddle would hopefully prevent me from tipping over.

I began the build with pallet wood and four old ceiling fan blades – Recycle and Reuse.

I glued and clamped the pallet wood to form the paddle shaft. I also glued and clamped up the fan blades, with each paddle end consisting of two fan blades glued together.

I left a slot at each end of the paddle shaft, so that the fan blades could be inserted.

Below, I have decided that I wanted the area where the blade attaches to the shaft, to resemble a hammerhead shark, emulating the balance board.

Here I have cut away the excess pallet wood.

Next, I began to shape the paddle shaft. I used a belt sander and coarse hand file.

In Part 2, I will finish shaping the shaft, and will cut it so that one paddle end can be removed, and a handle end added. This will enable me to use the paddle with the Hammerhead Board once the hydrofoil wing is added and I’m in the water, like the surfer below.

Am I crazy for doing this? I guess I’ll find out.