Greetings from the Reibsteins
Cat
Stevens sings, "You're only dancing in this world for a short time." With
that in mind here are a few dance steps from the year of our Lord 2003.
Most Likely to Awards
Most likely to win $2,500 in scholarship money --Ana from an organization that promotes Hispanics in Graduate Studies.
To be on the disabled list -Vanesa who had mononucleosis for 2 weeks, a sprained ankle 2 more weeks, a perforated appendix for 4 weeks, and a foot stress fracture for 8 weeks.
To have her color picture appear on the front page of a newspaper's sports section --Rachel, en route to winning her High School Leagues championships.
To receive flowers, balloons, food, etc. delivered to her school and home -Vanesa, who continually receives these weekly gifts from her adoring boyfriend.
Most likely to look like a complete flunky in the
romance department -Me, compared to Vanesa's boyfriend.
Friends with Benefits
Ana
was talking to a friend about his son who was softly massaging a girl's back
at our church. "They're just friends," his dad said." "Friends that give
back rubs?" Ana questioned, as they watched him. Vanesa joined the
conversation, explaining that perhaps they were "friends with benefits."
"What does that mean?" Ana asked. Vanesa clarified, "They can do everything
a girlfriend and boyfriend do, but they can date other people as well."
Educating Molly
One
of my most satisfying experiences of 2003 was being hired to home school
Molly Weinstock (age 12). I was in charge of PE and we spent at least two
hours a day together three times a week. Often Sharon joined us as we went
on many different activities and adventures. We discovered secret fishing
spots, saw deer in the wild, swam in waterholes and water parks and even
went horseback riding. We even went underground and explored the city storm
drains with flashlights. It was a wonderful time we shall not forget.
Evil Knievel Challenges the Creek
One
Saturday I took our three daughters on a mountain bike ride. We came to a
creek crossing where there was a perfectly good bridge, but to make the
trip more exciting I decided to try a daring jump across the water. This
aroused great interest and the girls hustled into the best spots for
watching the spectacle. I backed my bike way up then charged at full speed
to the high bank and went sailing high into the air like Evil Kneivel! It
was exhilarating! When I splashed down a mighty plume of water shot into the
air and there was the loud explosion of my over-inflated back tire blowing
out! As I stood soaked in the middle of the cold-water creek, I was
comforted by the wonderful sight and sound of laughter from my audience.
Diamond Back Rattle Snake
On
that same journey we arrived at a waterfall where Sharon and Vanesa went
exploring, I tried to take a nap, and Rachel was bored until we heard
Sharon's urgent call, "Vanesa needs help! There's a huge rattlesnake next to
her!" When I got to her, Vanesa was perched on a rock, while below her was a
magnificent Diamond Back rattlesnake stretched out in all his glory, while I
moved cautiously towards it, Sharon threw a rock the size of a softball,
which hit Goliath broadside. At that he rattled furiously while backing
himself under a boulder. So we got to hear what millions at the Zoo never
hear when they tap his cage -the unique and scary sound of an angry
rattlesnake!
Desecrating Holy Grounds
Once a month my family visits the "Holy Grounds Café," a church room where
guests gather to listen to a band play Christian songs and eat appetizers.
One summer night Vanesa brought Brian, her boyfriend. It didn't take long
for them to desecrate the sanctuary. First they sat down in the middle of
the room with Vanesa reclining on his bosom like John with Jesus at the Last
Supper. Unlike Jesus, Brian had his arms around her, clinging to Vanesa like
Boston Ivy on a brick building. Ana had not yet seen Vanesa in this role,
and as far as she was concerned, it looked more like "The Lust Supper" and
she planned to transform it into "The Last Date." Our only consolation was
at least we got to see it so we could coach her through it, and it revived
our prayer life.
Mamma Mia
One
of the highlights of my life was the night I took Sharon, a fellow ABBA fan,
to see the play, Mama Mia, which features 22 songs from this 70's band. It
was Awesome! Sharon and I had a wonderful time; I can't remember enjoying
anything so much! We laughed and cried hugged and felt fullness of joy. We
loved the songs and the phenomenal dancing. All evening long Sharon couldn't
stop thanking me for taking her. At the end, the cast did a mini-concert of
songs like Dancing Queen and Waterloo that had everyone clapping, swaying
and dancing in the aisles. It felt so good - a little taste of heaven on
earth.
Roaring Elephants
While on summer vacation, A few miles north of Hearst Castle, we saw a
pristine sand dune, and we stopped to play. Sharon and Vanesa went
exploring; later when I went to look for them, I came over a dune and
witnessed an impressive sight! There on the beach was a herd of Elephant
seals molting. Earlier in life I learned the hard way that although they
look like big, fat sloths that you can touch and take liberties with, really
they are mean, have a ferocious ROAR, and can move fast on their flippers!
This time I showed more respect.
What Dreams May Come
A
concerned Rachel was talking with her mother about a dream that she was
kissing someone not her boyfriend. I told her not to worry that it was a
normal dream and for confirmation I said to my wife, "You have had dreams
like that when you were Rachel's age, didn't you, Ana?" Ana stared at me
and said, "Did?"
We Have Moved!
We have bought a house and our new address is:
14356 Meadowrun St., San Diego, CA 92129
Phone is 858-780-1899
E-mail is: Ana_Reibstein@yahoo.com
