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Tiny Nerves of Steel

When my sixth grade girls volleyball team won their championship last weekend, there was an even bigger victory that made some grown moms cry real tears.  You see, three out of four teams in the playoffs were St. Patrick's teams, with all of the players from the Twin Cities.  The other two local teams had been eliminated earlier in the day, but their coaches had suggested that the girls come back to cheer us on against St. Anselm's.  At the start of the championship match, one of my best players, Tess O'Dwyer, turned to me and said, "We are definitely going to win ... because we have the biggest cheering section."  And when we did win and the girls from the other teams came racing off the bleachers to shriek and celebrate and hug our girls in a shared victory, I knew things were coming together for all of these girls just the way they should, and I will remember that moment (not to mention that wickedly high-pitched 11-year old shrieking!) forever.

Here's a great life lesson from the winning girls.

Breathe. Think positive thoughts. Let your supporters energize you.  As for the breathing, it's ironic to me that one of the most involuntary bodily functions needs so much attention in times of stress.  Early on in the season, I noticed some of the girls were, at critical times, holding their breath. So we worked on some good old relaxation techniques to teach them how to blow that stress right out of their mouths. Then, Renira Keating, a director of the Marin Juniors volleyball program, taught them how to say to themselves each time: "I WILL make this serve."  If it worked for them, it can surely work for all of us.

Another inspiration walks by.

You've no doubt seen LaVerne Willis walking through Corte Madera and Larkspur over the years, since she's been doing it daily for nearly fifty of them.  Now in her eighties, this petit cherub-faced lady with long, nearly white hair piled in a bun on her head, says she walks about 10 miles a day.  She gets up at 5 a.m. and goes right out, to Larkspur, to Greenbrae, to Larkspur Landing. You name it, she walks there.  She doesn't drive at all.  She walks about 3 to 4 miles every morning, goes home, has some breakfast and a big glass of juice, and goes out walking again.  LaVerne knows she covers about ten miles a day, because a friend set her up with a pedometer.  She does little else but read, and she says her house is a mess as a result but that she doesn't care. She especially loves to walk early in the day when the air seems cleaner.  She walks alone. Her husband John passed away just a year ago after suffering "six life threatening diseases for 15 years". And he didn't particularly like to walk.  LaVerne walks simply because she loves it.  "And I just love being here, she says, "they'll have to drag me out." Then, with a sparkle in her eye she says, "When I walk, I can solve all the world's problems.  Well, except for Bush's."  That, we agreed, would take a long walk indeed.

Is that gift from Gimble's or the Gamble's? -- only your gift wrapper knows for sure.

The amazing Susie Gamble has (once again) invited nearly the whole darn town to her house for a holiday shopping party. The Mademoiselle group of Mandy Walter, Nancy Ahern and Susie makes and buys beautiful jewelry, clothing, scarves, purses, house wares and other accessories, which they then sell at very reasonable prices.  These industrious gals say they would love to own a store one day, but for now, they host these sales every now and then, and make a generous donation from the proceeds to the Beautification Committee.  If you've been to one of these events, you know it is very different from your normal "purchase-something-please party".  Basically, the Gambles transform the entire main floor of their gorgeous and spacious home on Chapman hill for  two nights.  The dates are December 8 and 9, from 6 pm to 10:30 pm. There are ample and delicious refreshments, and best of all, no pressure, no presentation, no boring talk, just a bunch of happy gals yakking and shopping and, well, what could be more fun?  Their charming husbands provide valet parking, and it's a seriously lovely evening.  It's mostly for the girls, but you can send or bring your husband or significant other along and tell him to pick out your holiday presents!  Email me if you need the address.

Brace yourself for the holiday season.

It's that time of year when the whole world seems to descend upon our streets and stores and parking spaces, but just keep thinking about how all that retail sales tax revenue helps take good care of our town.  And don't forget to breathe.

Until next week,
Neighbor Pat Ravasio
Write me! pravasio@fhallen.com