Children’s & Teens’ Connection 2017connectionarchives.com/PDF/2017/122717/Springfield.pdf · including scaling and root planing • Custom partial and full dentures • Custom

online at www.connectionnewspapers.com December 28, 2017-January 3, 2018

Children’s & Teens’Connection 2017

Children’s & Teens’Connection 2017

By Maazullah Foshanji, 12, Grade 7, Key Middle School, Art Teacher Katie Kendall.

2 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ Children’s & Teens’ Connection 2017-2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

A healthy body starts with a healthy mouth!

X-rays not included. Not valid withinsurance submission.

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Key Middle SchoolArtwork submitted by

art teacher Katie Kendall.

“Still Life with Transparent Object,” byIsabella Smith, 12, Grade 7t

“Panda,” by Olman Canales Menjivar, 12,Grade 7

“Lion,” byFaarid

Alwadud, 12,Grade 7

“Dog,” by ConnorLandacre, 12,Grade 7

Springfield Connection ❖ Children’s & Teens’ Connection 2017-2018 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Children’s Connection

Dear Readers:This week, the Springfield Connection

turns over its pages to the youth and stu-dents.

We asked principals and teachers fromarea schools to encourage students to con-tribute their words, pictures and photos forour annual Children’s Issue.

The response as always was enormous.While we were unable to publish every piecewe received, we did our best to put togethera paper with a fair sampling of the submit-ted stories, poems, drawings, paintings,photographs and other works of art.

We appreciate the extra effort made byschool staff to gather the materials duringtheir busy time leading up to the holidays.We’d also like to encourage both schools andparents to mark their 2018 calendars forearly December, the deadline for submis-sions for next year’s Children’s Connection.

Please keep us in mind as your childrencontinue to create spectacular works of artand inspiring pieces of writing in the com-ing year.

The children’s issue is only a part of ouryear-round commitment to cover educationand our local schools. As always, the Con-nection welcomes letters to the editor, storyideas, calendar listings and notices of localevents from our readers. Photos and othersubmissions about special events at schoolsare especially welcome for our weeklyschools pages.

Our preferred method for material is e-mail, which should be sent [email protected], butyou can reach us by mail at 1606 KingStreet, Alexandria, VA 22314 or call 703-778-9414 with any questions.

Editor Kemal Kurspahic

By Adalai Elkins, Grade 2, Orange Hunt Elementary

By Ava Harder, age 7, Hunt Valley Elementary, Teacher: Ann Spring,Second Grade

“Still Lifewith Trans-parent Ob-ject,” byPhebe Sar, 12,Grade 7, KeyMiddleSchool, ArtTeacher KatieKendall.

By Daisy Yirrah, age 5, Franconia ElementaryBy Alberto Tolentino, North Springfield Elementary School, Grade 2,Teacher Ms. Cox

Welcome


Children’s Connection Orange Hunt ElementaryArtwork submitted by teachers Maureen Kieffer and Mary Stahl

By Roxie Griffith, Grade 2

By Henry White, Kindergarten By Eleni Grace, Grade 2 By Tess De Groot, Grade 6

By Aidan Holroyd, Grade 6 Bridget Roseberry, Grade 3 By Gavin Schmidt, Grade 4

By Samantha Larsen, Kindergarten


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The SpringfieldChildren’s Connection

is published byLocal Media Connection, LLC.

A digital version of this publicationand 14 sister publications

available atwww.connectionnewpapers.com/

documents

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[email protected]

For information on local contentemail

[email protected]

Franconia Elementary

K. Kennedy-Labat’s First Grade Class

Our Special Gifts!I will cheer somebody up when they

are sad because they are always sadwhen they have no one to play with.

—Sydney Cunningham,

Age 6

I keep the popcorn smell out of myhouse for my Dad. My mom opens win-dows and doors. He does not likepopcorn smells!

—Hailey Kuss, Age 6

I would give my mom a hug becauseI love my mom!

—Jackson Schutter,

age 6

You will always be the best! You arethe best big brother, Oscar. You are thebest ever! You do EVERYTHING.

—Eli Perez, Age 6

I would make a bracelet for my bestfriend Jason! A friendship bracelet. Thepipe cleaner is red. And I use beads too

—Noah Caroc,

Age 6 (Kristen Stump’s

Multiage Class)

Children

Cherry Run

Fourth Graders’ Opinions in MaryZavaleta’s class.

Favorite animal?A human- because I’m a human and

we can find a way to live peacefully (ornot.)

—Evan Jones

Cheetahs- it must feel good to runthat fast! I wish I could. Do you?

—Victoria Shea

Elephant- When I was younger, Ithought an elephant could give me ashower. When I was 2 or 3, I wanted tobe an elephant when I grew up. Evennow, I still like elephants because theyare very cool.

—Fiona Mulcahy

A Galapagos tortoise- I want to ride it!They were almost instinct.

—Keshav Parikh

A dog- It’s a very interesting storyabout how dogs came to be real. They


Keene Mill Elementary

Artwork submitted by teacher Deborah Ehlers

By Kyra Okhlopkov, 9, Grade 4 (Mrs. Allen).By Anna Nguyen,8, Grade 2

By Brandon Davis, 11, Grade 6

By Paris Johnson, 11, Grade 6 By Priella Markles, Age 8, 3rd Grade

By Ella Park, 11, Grade 6By Elena Small, 11, Grade 6

By Lily Simpson, 11, Grade 6

By Lily Brody, 11, Grade 5


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Burke, Springfield,Fairfax, LortonFairfax Station

Keene Mill Elementary School

Mindy Stewart, Second Grade Team Leader at Keene Mill Elemen-tary School in Springfield, submitted these three pieces of herstudents’ artwork with a following note:

“The submissions are from a recent math project. We were working on our geom-etry unit and the focus was symmetry. The kids in my class love art, thus the integrationof math and art. The results were amazing. Their personalities really came throughtheir symmetrical renditions of their faces.”

Alina Amaya, 7 years old, 2nd grade, Springfield, KeeneMill Elementary, Mrs. Stewart, Springfield.

Anna Nguyen, 8 years old, 2nd grade, Springfield, KeeneMill Elementary, Mrs. Stewart, Springfield.

Lochlan Ferguson, 7 years old, 2nd grade, Springfield,Keene Mill Elementary, Mrs. Stewart, Springfield.


Hunt Valley Elementary SchoolTeacher: Ann Spring, Second Grade

My TwoCats

My pets are specialbecause the first onelaid on my sister’s faceat night and one timethe second one put hisface on my shoulder.But one time the firstcat attacked the cat sit-ter but the other onewas trying to save her.But he couldn’t savethe cat sitter. I lovethem because they’recute and cuddly. I lovetheir whiskers andtheir purr. I love every-thing about my cats! Ilove the second one be-cause he purrs reallyeasily.

—Soliyana

Dibaba, age 7

My PetMy dog is

white with blackdots. It is specialbecause it is al-ways near mewhen I am sad.

—Ryan

Whitehouse,

age 8

MyHolidayTradition

Ever since I wasfive I started a tradi-tion. The traditionwas I would go to mystairs, go down it alittle, then peekaround the wall andsee if Santa Clauscame. Once I sawSanta’s foot. Then Igo back to my room.

—Gigi Shan-

non, age 7

My PetsI loved my dogs

because they werefurry, silly, cute, andmost of all kind.When I was a babythey snuggled upwith me. My olddogs were King andPrince. They wereboth brown. When Iwas about one and ahalf they both died.But they’re in myheart.

—Anneliese

Gaeta, age 8

My DogMy dog is a Schnoodle, a

mix between a Poodle and aSchnauzer. Her name is Kylee.Her fur is blackish grey. Kylieis very fast. She beat mybrother in a race and he’s onthe cross country team. He canrun a mile in less than 6 min-utes so she is very fast if shecan beat him. When Kylie’srunning she looks like a rab-bit. Once when it wassnowing, we put little socks onher back legs. When we tookher outside she did a hand-stand on the sidewalk becauseshe did not like the socks.—Adam Carr, age 7

My DreamCat

This is my dreamcat. Her name isVioletta. She likes play-ing with yarn. She is ababy cat or kitten. Sheis soft. I like her softviolet fur. Her bed ispink though she is verysmall and cute and cud-dly.

—Shaila Green,

age 8

MyHolidayTradition

On Christmas, myfamily has jobs forChristmas night. Imake the doughcookies that areturned into orna-ments that go onour tree. When ourelf comes we findour elf named Bellaand then once wefind her we give hera gift.

—Chloe

Niphadkabin,

age 7


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GrandparentsMy caring loving grandparentsworking on the Christmas treethese cold afternoonsin the living roomto hear me giggle.

— Mariana

MomMy sweet loving momWalks to the laundry roomon a beautiful afternoonon the carpetto wash her clothes.

— Noah

RudolphA reindeerUnique and specialPlaying and flyingHappilyRed nose

— Paulina

My MomMy adored momopens the ovenChristmas Evein the kitchenSanta’s cookies are done.

— Jacob

HenryMy fluffy fat parakeetslides down quicklyon this warm morningon the metal barsto eat the food.

— Ayesha

BearsBig, brownEating, hunting, sleepingLonely,Dangerous, strong,Mammal

— Miguel

SisterMy silly sistergets out faston snowy dayson icy spotsto slip, fall and laugh.

— Joanna

BrotherMy playful funny brotherplays with his plushon some cold dayson the warm bedto have fun.

— Jonathan

DogSmall, cuteJumping, panting, whiningSad, happy, hungry, madMutt

— Jordyn

Christmas TreeThe Christmas treeSpikey and conedStill and brightColorfulPine tree

— Ryan

Springfield Estates

My SisterMy nice sweet sisterusing the phonethis morningat hometo make her laugh.

— Diana

A DrinkHot and smoothCalm and relaxingLovelyHot cocoa

— Ellie

MomMy warm nice momhugs me fastin the morningin our homeso we’re not late.

— Chandler

My BrotherMy loving caring brothersips warm milkon cold daysin bedto get warm.

— Gerald

ChristmasA holidayFun and cozyBuilding and sharingTogetherWintertime

— Javier

AvalancheThe avalancheStrong and fastRumbles and shakesDemolishingLandslide

— Cristian

SnowThe snowWhite and fluffyGlides and fliesSmoothlySnowflake

— Ethan

SnowflakeThe snowflakeCold and meltingFalling and disappearingCloudyWinter

— Gregory

SnowboardMy brotherCool and awesomeJumping and boardingFastBen

— Jacinda

SisterMy lovely caring sisteris talking loudlyin her roomto hear her echo.

— Genesis

Poetry written by fifth graders at Jill Hardek’sclass at Springfield Estates Elementary.


The Cold SeasonThe grayIcy or mistySnowing and freezingPeacefullyWinter

—Eric Li

DadMy blazing warm dadShovels swiftlyIn the icy snowy winterIn the white slippery drivewaySo we can go play

—Jereck Montoya-

Serrano

SantaJolly, round manQuickly gives out presentsOn a snowy Christmas nightFrom the Noth Pole and beyondSo kids behave well

—Andre Gonzalez

SantaAn ElfJolly and wrinklyDelivering and eatingWarmlySanta

—Makayla Stewart

SantaMerry and Jolly SantaClimbed on his gigantic red sleighIn this freezing cold nightIn the north poleTo give presents to well-behaved

kids—Valerie Munoz

The Red NosedReindeer

A reindeerSoft but strongFlying and pullingBeautifullyRudolph

— Alexa Castro

WinterFrigid, coldSkating, sledding, splashingPeppermint, pajamas, sleep, and

skiisSnow

—Kiera Miller

ChristmasFrigid, icyWatch football, stay indoorsSleepy, cheerfully, happilyFestive

—Laith Sbitan

WinterCold and snowyPlaying, cooking, bakingIn the light of the dark night skyBreak

—Tommy Dunn

SnowSnowWhite, smallGliding, falling, covering

Springfield Estates Elementary

Happy because it is soCold

—Ayman Karar

SnowingWhiteCold, icy, snowyHailing, freezing, fallingHot cocoa, coat, dark skiesCozyHoliday

—Caryn Jackson-Hay

SantaJolly eating manGiving out presentsWhen its ChristmasAround the worldSo kids get what they want

—Jeffrey Cruz

WinterThe blanketSnowing and flurryingBelow zero & freezingBe jolly and build a snowmanFrozenSnow

—Thomas Inthirath

Santa’s ReindeerA reindeerFurry and brownFlying and RunningMerrilyDeer

—Jereck Montoya-

Serrano

ElvesAn elfSmall and energeticWrapping or deliveringSmallElves

—Joel Lainez-Gomez

ChristmasThe lightsLovely and sweetPlaying and restingHappilyFamily

—Joy Carpenter

The Season ofWinter

The winterIcy and fragileBlowing or meltingTranquillyHoliday

—Sandra Lopez

MeHamzaSitting by the fireplaceDrinking hot chocolateOn a snowy dayAt his house in the cozy sunroomBecause it’s cold

—Hamza Nouman

WinterThe winter timeWonderful but chillyPlaying and sleepingVery peaceful time

—Joy Carpenter

Piece of ParadiseBy Samina Tukhi

Orange Hunt Elementary

What! One normal day me andmy sisters were at school. Sud-denly I saw my mom and dad’sface pop out of the creaky door ofmy class. “Samina, come. We havea surprise for you and your sisters.” I mysteriously watched them asI stepped forward to hear thenews. “ We’re going to Punta Cana(a place in Dominican Republic).”“ Yay! A place I’ve never been to.”

I could never ask for somethingmore spectacular. This wasn’t goodnews, it was the best news plusone million bests. We picked upmy little sisters and headed for theairplane that would help us arriveto Punta Cana. Soon we wouldarrive to this paradise. We got littleMango colored bags full of toys forus to play with during the ride.

From the Maple Tree country to a place I mightend up calling a “Piece from Paradise”. When we werebuckled up in our seats ,the plane flew into the skylike a free bird.

My belly jiggled like my friend’s mom’s homemadejello, dancing as I punched it with my plastic fork.The traveling bird flew through the ocean of foggyclouds. The sky was as blue as Robin Eggs. The cloudsfloated around in different shapes of fire breathingdragons, other beasts from myths and tales, pupsbegging for a dog biscuit, thrones of white ‘’cottoncandy’’, and giants meditating. It felt like somebodybehind me had dumped a bucket of excitement intomy mind. When will we get there? What will PuntaCana look like?

We finally got there. When we were far away fromthe airplane, I saw Palm Trees and a lot of people.Soon we arrived to the place we were going to stay.We were going to live in a little house that was sit-ting beside it’s twin. We unpacked and slept withsomething little to eat. For some reason it felt coolto live in a little house. In the days that came by wediscovered a big pool that went from the shallowestyou could think of and ended at a very deep ending.One morning we saw a White Crab in front of ourdoor .We were terrified, but a staff member cameand took the White Crab away.

This next event is what made the friendship be-tween our family and another family. We were at the

Self-portrait, by Josette Satterfield, 12, of Fairfax,Grade 7, Rocky Run Middle School,Teacher: Ms. Schuetz

pool and I wasn’t looking where I was going. I acci-dently walked behind the woman beside my mominstead of going behind my mom. “Samina what areyou doing?!” mom said. “Oooooops! Sorry.” I repliedlaughing. We all giggled and started engaging in con-versation after that.

Nights arrived and we would go to restaurants.One night I accidently ate a rabbit thinking it was achicken. Although it was a rabbit, it tasted a lot likea chicken.

Soon my sisters and I were in a daycare; the mostamazing daycare ever. In daycare we got creamy icecream on cones. They took three pieces of yarn andbraided them into our hair, and once they had a con-test with different stations. I actually won! We evenhad a concert contest where we would pass a hat.Whenever the music ended, the person with the hatwould lose. My youngest sister won and got a bag oftreats and little toys. The best part is that I took pic-tures with three different trained creatures; a babymonkey, two pirate parrots, and a heavy Pale GreenIguana.

When we left this “Piece of Paradise”, I was sad,but also happy that this was another memory storedinto my brain. I was like jewelry left in theMesopotamian deep dry and wet dirt. This was amemory never to be forgotten. I took a deep breathas our plane flew through the same sky. Goodbye;“Piece of Paradise”.

Orange Hunt Elementary

A Flight in the NightSoaring with my mightIn my midnight flightThe moonlit skyFilling up my eyeBarely moving my wingSo happy I could singOh what a sightThat is to be seen at night!

—Jimin Yio of Fairfax, 12,

Grade 7,

ocky Run Middle School

HopeEarth is a fallen worldSo many disastersBut there is one thing we can clutch onto to preserve it

foreverHopeWe must share it with othersIt’s too good to keep to ourselvesWe must believe that everything will be alrightWe need to hold on tightlyTo hope

—Grace Oh, Grade 6,

Mosby Woods Elementary

Poetry

Victoria Nutley’sfifth grade class


By Chase Waldrige, Grade 2, Teacher: Kathleen Facinoli

By Will Beasley, Grade 2, Teacher: Ms Cox

By Jo-Ann Vo, Grade 2, Teacher: Kathleen Facinoli

North Springfield Elementary


Every morning in December I wake up and go downstairsand look around. But why? Because every night of theholiday season, Santa sends an elf named Vern to ourhouse to see if we are good or bad. So every morning meand my sister look all over the house, racing to see whowill find him first. Once he was on the ceiling and once hewas in my family crest. On Christmas night he flies awayand we will not see him until next year.

—Morgan Holzgrefe, Age 8

What I want to bewhen I grow up

By Julia Jones

When I was younger I changed my mind every day. Firefighter,magician, astronaut. But I’ve always been a dancer. I’ve been danc-ing at my studio since I was 2 years old. It’s my eighth year thereand I finally got a chance to audition for the competition team. Itwas super cool that I got in and I’ve been working really hard.One of the jobs that I wanted when I was younger was to be adance teacher. But now my imagination has grown. I think big-ger. When I grow up I want to own my own dance studio!

My Future JobBy Austin Markham

I want to be a YouTuber as a part-time job. So, the first reasonwhy I want to be a YouTuber is that you can make videos forpeople all around the world and you can entertain them if theywere bored. And, you can make money for getting a lot of viewsand subscribers!

I also want to be a video game designer as my job. Because youcan become a well known person and it is fun making new gamesfor me and other people to play! You can also make LOTS ofmoney for designing games.

What I want to bewhen I grow up

By Nathaniel Penberg

I want to be an environmentalist because the environment get-ting destroyed and it actually is our fault, but I want to be part ofthe solution not the problem. I want to fix what is happening likeplastic bags and plastic straws. Animals are getting hurt becauseof plastic and I want to stop it. Also if I could save an animal’s lifethat would make me feel great. My family also likes to help theenvironment and I also want to save the environment.

ActingBy Luca Roederer

When I grow up I want to be an actor. I want to become anactor because you can afford many things. You can get big housesand the job is fun. You could met other celebrities and stars.

You could become famous or popular and you can get paid alot. You get to work with cool props and cool equipment. Andyou get to do cool and funny accents you also could get greatmakeup and costumes. I’m taking acting classes and the processis very interesting. I Hope you enjoyed reading this article.

What makes a good friendBy Marley Valverde

What make a good friend is they need to be kind like my friendJaniyah. She is so much fun. She makes a lot people laugh andshe makes up really cool dance moves. She always helps peoplewho are sad. Next is my friend Anamaria she is super funny. Some-times she mess up but she tries to help. She always make youlaugh when you’re sad. Last but not least Alison and Isbel. Theyare the most fun BFF’s I ever had. They will always be there whenI need them.

What do you want to bewhen you’re older?

By Alex West

What I think I want to be when I’m older is a person who cus-tomizes cars. Why I want to be that is I am a very creative personso I think I could create an amazing car design. I love seeingpeople happy so bringing a smile to their faces would be a greatsite for me. I have always liked cars since I was 5 years old. Iwould get lots of money for making the cars better so I couldmake a good living.

Renee Octaviano’sFifth Grade Class

Hunt Valley Elementary

Ann Spring’s Second Grade Class

My family tradition is that every year we get out theChristmas decorations there is a box that holds my elf,Elfie. Then she starts hiding. This year first she hid on ashelf, then on a lamp, next in the Christmas tree, and laston the curtains. This family tradition is special to mebecause my family has a lot of fun.

—Elizabeth Caven, age 8

At my house on Christmas Eve mymom and my dad hide a pickleornament. The first person to find itgets a prize, for example chocolate, abook, or new pj’s. The reason thistradition is so special to me is becauseI started it when I was two years old. Iwas born in Germany and it is aGerman tradition. It is very honoringthat they picked a tradition from thecountry I was born in.

—Sydney Austin, Age 7

My Holiday Tradition

I love Secret Santa! Secret Santa iswhen a family will put their names onpaper then put it in a hat or cup. Thefamily will pick names and whoeveryou get you will give them a presentunless it is you. This year I got a V.R.

—Gabriel Gattew, age 7

Franconia Elementary


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From Page 5

Cherry Run

have super puppy cuteness that can make a heart melt. Theyare friendly- well, most of them. You can teach them tricks.

—Samuel Griffith

Favorite game?Roblox is a game I love to play. You can play tons of dif-

ferent games on it. You can create an avatar. You can havefriends. You can enjoy relaxation time.

—Samuel Griffith

My favorite game is Rocket League. It’s a game where youhave cars and you can play hockey, soccer or basketball. Youhit the ball or puck with the car and try to make a goal. I playit with my neighbor all the time.

—Nicolas Moreno

I think Minecraft is a very convenient game because you canplay it on almost any device, from your X-box to your iphone!Minecraft is good to build things and has two main gamemodes: Creative and Survival. In Creative, you are free to doand build whatever you want, but in Survival you have lim-ited resources.

—Fiona Mulcahy

Something you rememberdoing for the first time?

I remember going to a farm. The farm had roasting marsh-mallows, a mountain you could look up to see its beautifulland, and apple trees that had not-ready apples, rotten applesand good apples on the ground.

—Brielle Crowell


Heart of Ice, Cave I DwelledMy eyes drifted to the snowFeelings faster than the stormI saw my joy fadeThe sun’s light fadingFoggy mistI couldn’t seeMy steps led me to snowLike being buriedBeneath it allMy heart stungThe wolves hungry for my soulI started forwardI didn’t look backMind swirlingTears a blizzardWhite scattered my pathIcicles dripped like how I fadedI Wish you could knowI’m sorryBut I knew I must keep goingThe fog then liftedBringing the sun to my heartIt reached out its handI opened my eyesThe frozen dew sparkledThe snow endless mountains of whiteI cried for itI didn’t know whyAs the wind shifted my coatMy heart as wellI found myself on a cliffI slipped on pure iceAnd started to fallThe ice was so pureIt’s cold, the sparkling crystals swept me off my feetIt wasn’t just my feetI hung paralyzedLostAfraidAloneMy joy ran awayIt leaped so fast a blurSwallowed by shadowMy heart of iceBut it came back to meBack to me as wonderWith wonder came joyAs I hung with shadows growlingThe jagged peaks begged for gloomI only held on tighterI then knew I must not fall…Delicate snowflakes stroked my skinI knew those who need me

I hungMy eyes glistening with glazeIf you were to throw an arrow at my heartIt wouldn’t pierce my heart of iceI’m so sorryI let goMy heart was glowingBrighter than that belowFell to the cliffs…Fell to the peak of my life…The shadow…The snow that scarred me...Landed on a cloudI livedI yelledI yelled because of it that haunted meFor the snow that had me surviveNo, I’m going backI started to runThe frozen pond singingTears drippingHeart knowing notBut to keep goingNot today…Not today…I will run till I dieDeath’s scythe will not touch me…It’s not my time…I grasped onto my lifeI knewAnd I ran homeThat it wasn’t IBut my wonderThan the lightIt came through the cloudsNot a seepBut the entire skyI hugged my lifeOnly I will touchYou will not haunt meI had run awayI had fallenBut had gotten up againThe birds of past screechedThe present birds criedThe future eagle looked with its eyesSo that it pierced so muchMy heart of ice meltedI do not know whyThe ice wrapped around meAnd then I flew

By Hannah Bang, 12, 6th grade

Grade 6, Fairhill Elementary

Poetry Corner

Can you guess my favorite season?It’s a season where people may get fevers or shivers from the coldIt’s a season where divine, decorative, and delightful snowflakes unfoldIt’s a season with laughter and soft and warm dinks where we hit them together and they go CLINK!This season gives you a reason to go to the ice skating rinkDid you guess it, it should be clear, so grab your coats because my favorite season winter is here

—Rugiatu Aisha Wurie, 11, Fairfax, Grade 6, Colin Powell Elementary


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Good is not good, where

better is expected.

-Thomas Fuller

Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

Though I want to treat the disease – andmy having been diagnosed with the disease,with respect, I don’t want to treat it with theutmost reverence. I mean, it’s not the Pope.

It’s an affliction, not an affection. Certainlynot one worth embracing anyway. But defi-nitely one which needs engaging.

Treating and living with lung cancershouldn’t be a vertical-type, up or down,either-or set of options. There should be moreintegration with non-Western, holistic andalternative approaches rather than, as hasbeen my experience: you’re on your own;and your oncologist, generally speaking – orpotentially legally-liable from speaking,knows/say less about it than you the patient.

I’ve tried to straddle this line going onnearly nine years now. Adhering to the con-ventional wisdom/treatment didn’t seem likeenough. Perhaps hearing the extremely grimprognosis that I received on Feb. 27, 2009 :“13 months to two years,” affected my think-ing. Perhaps hearing the equally grim likeli-hood – statistically referencing, of livingbeyond five years (low single digit percent-age); heck, even living beyond two years,might have given me pause as to what courseof treatment: chemotherapy, I was starting andwhy. But what did I know? I had just beenblindsided and then bewildered as to why andhow I was going to live the rest of my life.

Yet here I sit, nine-years old, so to speak.Some days I believe my amazing good fortunehas to do with the treatment and care I’vereceived from my oncologist and staff at theInfusion Center. Other days, I think it has todo with some of the alternatives I’ve assimi-lated into my life. Though I can’t honestlyinclude exercise in that life, I have modifiedmy diet somewhat and most definitely canmention vitamins, supplements, alkaline waterand apple cider vinegar, among a few others;along with a positive attitude with mostly goodhumor, as important elements. It hasn’t beeneasy, but it has been me. Meaning, I amproud of how I’ve managed a bad situationand so far, not made it worse.

Though I am somewhat unique, statisticallymeasuring, in how long I’ve survived (ho-wever, I’m not exactly 108-year old PaulEdgecomb/Tom Hanks from the movie “TheGreen Mile”), I don’t know that the variedsteps I’ve taken and the humor and attitudewith which I’ve put one foot in front of theother are likewise unique.

Of the many patients/survivors I’ve metalong this way, many, if not all, have exhibitedsimilar good humor and more of a can-do atti-tude quite frankly, than I. I’ve always beenhappy to make their acquaintance and eagerto hear their stories, as they have been inter-ested in hearing mine. Although cancer is notexactly catchy, I’ve found that, in speaking/sharing with fellow cancer survivors, what goesaround comes around. And what ‘that’ is thatis going around is, to invoke The Beach Boys:“Good Vibrations,” and that is catchy andhealthy too!

When I was first diagnosed – and caughtup in my own circumstances, I was not inter-ested – too much, in interacting with otherlung cancer patients/survivors. I was moreconcerned with my own fragile emotionalstate and was afraid that exposing myself tomore bad news: other “terminal” lung cancerpatients’ stories would weaken my resolve.

I don’t recall how many months or years itwas before I realized how wrong I had been.Weaken? My involvement with fellow lungcancer patient/survivors has only strengthenedmy resolve. Has that openness and apprecia-tion for my fellow lung cancer patientextended my life? I’d like to think it has.

But if it hasn’t, I guess the jokes on cancer.And that’s a laugh with which we can all live.

“Cansir”Bulletin

Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.

HOLIDAY SOBER-RIDEFree Sober Rides. The annual Holiday

SoberRider program will operate 8 p.m.-4 a.m.each night from Friday, Dec. 15, 2017-Monday,Jan. 1, 2018. area residents age 21 and oldercelebrating with alcohol may download Lyft totheir phones, then enter the code in the app’s“Promo” section to receive their no cost (up to$15) safe transportation home. WRAP’s weeklyHoliday SoberRide promo codes will be postedat 2 p.m. on Dec. 15, Dec. 23 and Dec. 31 onwww.SoberRide.com.

BLOOD DONATIONS NEEDEDThe American Red Cross urges eligible donors

to give more life by giving blood this December.In December, donations decline but the needs ofpatients remain steady. During the holidayseason, set aside an hour to give the mostimportant gift – give blood and give more life.All those who come to give blood or plateletsDec. 21, 2017, through Jan. 7, 2018, will receivea long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplieslast. Make an appointment to give blood bydownloading the free Red Cross Blood DonorApp, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

❖ SpringfieldDec. 26: 1-5 p.m., South Run RECenter, 7550

Reservation Drive❖ Fairfax - Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720

Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200 (unless otherwisenoted)

Dec. 26: 10:45 a.m.-5:45 p.m.Dec. 27: 12:45-8 p.m.Dec. 28: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Pennino Building 10th Floor

Conf Rm, 12011 Government Center ParkwayDec. 28: 12:45-5:45 p.m.Dec. 29: 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m.Dec. 30: 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m.Dec. 31: 7:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m.

TUESDAY/JAN. 9American Legion Post 177 Luncheon. 11:30

a.m.-1:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 177,3939 Oak St., Fairfax. Presentation on“Advanced preparation and arrangement forfuneral/memorial” by Peter Hause, FairfaxMemorial Funeral Home. $11. Call 703-280-2356 for more.

SUPPORT GROUPSShepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke sponsors

a monthly meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of eachmonth, noon-1:30 p.m., for caregivers to learnand to share with others experiencing similarchallenges. Before attending, contact thefacilitator, Eileen Thompson at 703-451-8626 [email protected].

Haven of Northern Virginia provides support,compassion, information and resources to thebereaved and seriously ill. To become a Havenvolunteer, please call 703-941-7000 to requestan orientation. Volunteers must complete a 30-hour training and commit to one year of serviceanswering Haven phones (2.5 hours weekly).Next training is scheduled for fall 2017.

ONGOINGVolunteers needed at the Fairfax Station

Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road,Fairfax Station. The Museum offers a variety ofexciting volunteer opportunities in Museumevents, programs and administration. [email protected] or 703-945-7483to explore services that will fit your scheduleand interests. Visit www.fairfax-station.org, orcall 703-425-9225 for more.

RSVP, a volunteer network for seniors seekingservice opportunities in and around FairfaxCounty, Arlington County and the City ofAlexandria, offers a wide array of opportunitiesfor volunteers 55 and older. RSVP volunteersenjoy flexible schedules, free accident andliability insurance while serving, optionalmileage and meal reimbursement and areinvited to volunteer group projects and socialgatherings. To sign up for an upcomingorientation, email Carly Hubicki [email protected] or call RSVP at703-403- 5360. To learn more about RSVP, visitwww.rsvpnova.org.


12 2017

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Documents

Children’s & Teens’ Connection 2017connectionarchives.com/PDF/2017/122717/Springfield.pdf · including scaling and root planing • Custom partial and full dentures • Custom