November, 2003
More on Steve
Previous Issues
Last month we got the news that our friend Steve Ridley had suffered a devastating stroke. Steve is still at Strong Memorial Hospital. He has made some limited progress—turning his head, moving his index finger, and communicating more reliably through the movement of his eyes. But the road to recovery is a long one. Steve will need many prayers, and more than a few miracles.
Here are a few words from Judy Warner that I thought were a beautiful statement about our situation:
He is my friend. For over ten years he has
been part of my Aikido group – first as a student, more recently
as a second-degree black belt in charge of our new students. Steve is
the person who has always said yes when asked to help, who has never questioned
any of our outrageous or misguided behaviors, who has always been cheerfully
present.
Over a week ago, Steve experienced a major stroke. He is totally aware but can only move his eyelids. It may be the way he lives the rest of his life.
Steve’s life has changed dramatically.
So has the life of everyone who knows him. Now more than ever he is our
instructor. From his hospital bed, he teaches us daily. If we think we
are having a bad day, or start to feel sorry for ourselves, we think of
Steve. What have we got to complain about?
He has also given us a chance to experience
the gift of giving back. The person who would do anything for anyone now
needs help with everything.
None of us knows what the future will bring
for Steve. But we are all relearning the lessons of taking each day, one
at a time and appreciating each moment that we have, living each moment
as fully as possible.
So, please take a moment and send your good energy and prayers to Steve. You will receive in return a gift from him – a centered moment when you can see clearly all you have to be grateful for.
From A Student
The news about Steve has affected all of us at the dojo, and everyone who knows him. Sometimes, it is hard to sum up those feelings. So it's especially nice when someone can do that for us. These thoughts are from a student who asked to remain anonymous:
I've just recently read the latest Nikyo
Monthly and was shocked a the news you had to share. Of course I ran the
gambit of emotions as I'm sure all of us did when we heard the news. Such
events are always difficult for all and of course most especially for
the one most affected.
I believe that everything in our lives leads
to the next. What has happened in our pasts are necessary lessons and
challenges that prepare us for the next. Some choose smaller challenges
to grow strong at a slow, steady, comfortable pace; while others choose
greater challenges that allow them to grow and evolve in leaps and bounds.
Whatever the pace a person chooses, the path we walk to each lesson is
a preparation for the next. I believe we never have something we can not
handle; something that will crush and defeat us utterly. Although there
are many times when it seems that way, at least in our myopic view here.
So with the sadness for a friend who is
hurting, is a certain kind of peace knowing that he has adequately prepared
for this and that he will become so much stronger because of it.
I also strongly believe that we can lend
our support and strength through prayer. I know that all prayers are answered
and miracles do happen even if they are not what we expect or think we
wanted. They are always answered to our ultimate benefit and our ultimate
happiness.
It is through our difficulties, our hardships,
our sorrows that we grow and learn and become stronger and wiser. That
this is when our true selves are revealed.
So as I sit and let this news make its way
through me and become a part of me, I contemplate these things. I come
to realize that even off the mat, Steve continues to teach valuable lessons.
The universe is perfect and we are exactly where we are supposed to be.
"You don't want to stand rigid like a tall oak that cracks and collapses in the storm. Instead, you want to be flexible, like a reed that bends with the storm and survives." - Deepak Chopra
Card and Letters
For the time being, cards and letters to Steve can still be sent here: Steve Ridley (patient), Strong Memorial Hospital, 601 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY 14624.
Steve's House
Steve will soon be transferred to a long term care facility. To help pay for that, his house in Rochester must be sold. Steve had been working on several remodeling projects that need to be completed before the house is listed for sale. Paul Gardner has offered to organize the effort to help complete those projects, but he needs people who can help with drywalling, painting, and the like. If you can help in any way, please let Paul know by e-mailing him at pgardner@rochester.rr.com.
Recent Testing
The following people tested in October: For 6th Kyu, Andrew Roushy. For 5th Kyu, Tom Atwood. And for 4th Kyu, George Dahl. All three students had fine technique demonstrations, and George is to be congratulated on an exceptional freestyle demonstration. Good job to all!
Upcoming
Events
Brown/Black belt class, November 3 at 7 PM.
Beginners' Class, November 5 at 7 PM.
Weapons November 6 at 8 PM.
Mind/Body Training November 13 at 7 PM.
Weapons class November 17 at 7 PM.
Advanced Class, November 20 at 8 PM.
Fall Camp with Maruyama Sensei in Tempe, AZ, November 21-23.
Video night November 24 at 8 PM.
Thanksgiving is November 27—no classes.
Hope is a strange invention
A Patent of the Heart
In unremitting action
Yet never wearing out.
- Emily Dickinson