Larissa Blechman wrote: I dont't mean to be
> rude but perhaps those conversations could be carried on privately and
> them summarized to the list instead of all being carried on with the
> entire list.

To Larissa and fellow listmates,
As a mom of two food allergic children, I hope that conversations like
this do continue when they are necessary.  Of course medical, health,
scientific allergy information and all the rest...the foods, the
recipes, product recommendations...these are all crucial to our
collective good health.  But for us parents, advocating for the needs of
our allergic children is central to the allergy struggle, too.  Whether
it's the school lunchroom, or the preschool teacher, well-meaning
friends and neighbors and family, and those not-so well meaning....these
stories, for parents, and some others, too, I have noted over the last
months, are just what we need to light our fires...to write the
letter...to advocate for our children.  No, Larissa, you are not rude,
but please have a little more patience with us Moms and Dads who have
the added purpose of protecting an allergic person who cannot always do
that for themselves.

Once, again, thank you Rita for an inspirational story.  We are behind
you.  Should we write letters individually in support of your struggle
to keep Zack healthy?  My husband is a town planner...you know the
code-enforcing type...but with a little compassion on how zoning should
be interpreted and enforced.  I cannot help but think that a little
flurry of mail would help if the situation warrants it.

Best of everything,
Dale Robin Lockman, feisty Mom of Aaron and Seth