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Arrested with Baby Stroller

Last May Elissa and I decided to beat the heat here in Arizona and we took A road trip with our daughter Drew to a lovely hotel and spa in La Jolla, California, just ten minutes away from the beach.

While at the hotel, Elissa decided to walk her talk and squeeze in a Little self-care while Drew and I had a fun Daddy and Daughter Day By the water.

After shaking the sand out of our hair and grabbing a delicious strawberry, banana, and kiwi fruit smoothie, Drew and I sauntered over to the University campus.

With a nice glide with the stroller and pink smoothie mustaches, Drew and I started playing a game where we would roll the stroller up and down some of the bumpy hills.

After every bump, Drew would lose her sun-hat and let out the most delightful belly laugh.

Then I got a little more daring and I started zooming the stroller down the hill slightly and I ran ahead a few feet and caught her and kissed her all over.

Now to me, this was absolute bliss as the cool seventy-degree winds blew across my brow and I stared with glee at my pink mustached, tossled hair, slightly tanned daughter.

Then I was just about put in handcuffs.

Let me explain.

I guess from far away it looked as though I was pushing Drew quite far down the slope of the hill before I caught her and would you believe that someone called the police and said that I was neglecting my child.

Now, comes the interesting part.

Two squad cars come zooming at me and I honestly thought I was dreaming or being mistaken for some criminal that happened to me known as the smoothie mustached felon.

The police officer started yelling what sounded like demands and vulgarities at me and forced me to walk to the side of the road.

The officer barked orders at me and immediately began taking down my personal information and assured me that I was going to jail for mis-conduct and endangering my child.

So after reeling from overwhelm and internal turmoil, I just flat out stood up for myself and I said---- First of all, stop speaking to me like I am a maniac, or a fool, and change your tone with me. ---Second of all, I am a Doctor, a leader, someone who cherishes my child and I would never harm a fingernail on her hand.

Thirdly, I asked her if she had any photos of how I was treating my daughter, any live videotape, or was she just basing her actions upon the phone call she had received.

Then Fourthly, here was the most classic part- I refused to tell her my wife's name right away as Elissa was in the middle of a pedicure and manicure and I really did not want to interrupt her.

Well, let's just say that I should have really omitted that last part as the officer turned an interesting shade of orange/ rouge/red and immediately called security at the spa to go and get my wife out of her session.

I was really bummed about interrupting Elissa, but I knew this all would make for an interesting story to tell Drew some day.

Elissa came storming out of the spa with her bathrobe on, and I whispered to her to just stay cool as the officer had already been calming down. Well, at least sort of, until I made the - I don't want to interrupt my wife's pedicure session comment.

Well, to sum things up, things cooled down and Elissa refrained from knocking the officer's block off, as the officer was merely trying to do her job.

So what's the point of this whole story. The point is this. Often times when it comes to healing and personal growth, people often think that they should be passive. People often think that the other cheek philosophy is most appropriate when the truth of the matter is that if I did not stand upfor myself my mugshot would have been posted in the post office and I would have been known as the stroller king.

We left that weekend reflecting back on the overall experience and chuckled a little bit to ourselves after we shook off the feelings of overwhelm and disbelief.

Drew pretty much stayed calm in the stroller the whole time and probably wondered why we stopped playing on the bumpy hill.

Elissa's pedicure was interrupted but her nails sure did look nice.

Last but not least, I spoke my voice, stayed reasonably centered, and still had a sip left of my smoothie when it was all done.

Finally, upon looking back, I now know that not all bumps in the road are what they seem, and when challenged, we do have the choice to create our own smooth path.

Thank you for all your loving support and we send you our best thoughts of appreciation.

Jason, Elissa and
Chanda Schrader the
Awesome Office Coordinator

Living Inline-
Experts in Balancing Body, Food and Mind

4221 East Chandler Blvd. Suite 114, in Ahwatukee Phone# 480-704-2787 www.livinginline.com

Just 1 mile west of the I-10 freeway on the south side of the street
1 block west of the Ironwood Library
1 block east of the new Trader Joe's

Living Inline- Perfect For People Who Are Passionate About Natural Health!

Hours-
Mondays
New Practice members seen at 8:45 am, 1:15 pm and 7:15 pm
Balancing Sessions 10 am-1 pm 4pm- 7pm

Tuesdays- Life Coaching and Food coaching by appointment

Wednesdays-
New Practice members seen at 8:45 am, 1:15 pm and 7:15 pm
Mondays Balancing Sessions 10 am-1 pm 4pm- 7pm

Thursdays
New Practice members seen at 8:45 am, 1:15 pm and 7:15 pm
Balancing Sessions 10 am-1 pm 4pm- 7pm

Posted on February 10, 2006