My Mother and Marijuana [by Stacey Harwood]

My Mother's Hands, April, 2013

My mother was a grade school teacher for over 30 years. She taught both 3rd grade and kindergarten in the public school system and was one of those teachers who changed the display outside of her class room for every season and holiday. She made intricate murals that were quite beautiful and imaginative. She used craft paper and cotton fluff and whatever else was on hand and would cut out shapes with scissors and paste them to the background. I seem to remember helping her but I'm not certain that I did.

My mother in one of her aprons.

My mother was also a talented seamstress: She made aprons and a set of kitchen curtains for every season. She made a play circus tent that fit over a card table. She made fake-fur slip covers for giant rolls of bubble wrap that we used for seating (my father was a plastics salesman and "sealed air" was one of his customers).  She knew how to mend things and taught me how to do the same. ("Mend" is such an antique word.) She sewed our Halloween costumes and matching outfits for my sisters and me. A lot of cross-stitch and rick rack were involved.

My brother Hunter ready for trick or treat

L to R: Hunter, Stacey, Tami, and Amy Harwood

This is all to say that in addition to working with her mind, my mother loved working with her hands; it breaks my heart that she is unable to do so anymore because of her severe arthritis. It is only with great difficulty that she can unscrew a bottle or open a bag of frozen vegetables. Plus, she's in constant pain. "You don't know the half of it," she said, when I asked her how bad it had gotten.

When I read about the relief that marijuana brings to arthritis sufferers I was eager to find a way for my mother to try it. I didn't want her to get high -- she lives alone -- so the usual delivery systems were not an option. There were recipes online for a tincture that could be applied topically but I had no way of controlling the strength or safety of something I would concoct myself. I've followed the medical marijuana scene closely and am impressed with what the communities are coming up with in California, Seattle, and Colorado. It seemed we would have to wait for marijuana use to be legal in New York. Given that our legislature is particularly corrupt and unable to act, I'm not expecting legalization to happen any time soon.

Then, a few months ago friends visited from San Francisco.  Turned out that they knew someone who knew the person behind "Doc Green's Pain Relief Cream."  A few weeks after our friends returned home, a well disguised package arrived with a 4 oz jar of lavender scented theapeutic cream inside. My mother's early April birthday seemed the perfect occassion for her to give it a try.

The cream has a silky texture and is lightly scented. "It feels lovely when I put it on," says my mother. And yes, it helps a lot with the pain. She's been using it on her shoulder. The only downside she says, is that she doesn't get high. Maybe I'll bring a joint the next time I visit her. -- SDH

Comments

[Laura Orem]

This is moving and utterly charming.

[lally]

Poignant and practical Stacey, a great tribute to your mom as well as to innovative techniques for helping those we love. Not to mention a terrific piece of writing. May you mother's pain continue to subside, and her gratitude for her daughter's love continue to grow.

[Thomas Braun]

Due to my orthopaedic and neurological illness, I have been looking for Medical Marihuana. Some might say, why don't you grow your own? Well problem is, that my gardening skills are Zero and nothing grows. I don't have a "Green Thumb", so to speak.

Medical Marihuana does ease my health problems much better than common medicine from the doctors. And so I came across http://www.buyweedsonline.com

Some might be reluctant to believe, that Mail Order Marijuana works, but it does. I am glad to see, that sites, as yours, gives a lot of information for people same as me. Thank you all and stay healthy at all times.

[Peter Fortunato]

Well done, Stacey. You always choose to write from the heart and your kindness is very much apparent here.

[Stacey Harwood]

Thank you everyone. My mom continues to benefit from the cream. She says "it's a miracle."

[Lisa Vihos]

Please forgive my very late comment. more than a year since your post was first written. This is indeed a beautiful honoring of your mother and her creativity. Seeing one's mother suffer has got to be the worst thing ever. I am so glad she has been able to have access to a balm, and I hope it continues to help her. I may need to look into this for my own mother in the not-too-distant future. Stay strong today and everyday.

[uper batt]

with the art, https://www.growingmarijuanablog.com/marijuana-tattoos/

[Bernadette Ames]

your story of your mother is very nice, it is so heart touching since my mother was once a teacher and i am witnessed of her hard works and dedication to her work and students. thanks for this article.