Quarantine Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2020.

Well … Thanksgiving looks so different this year. So different.

My home is usually filled with family, friends, neighbors, a veteran or two we are blessed to call family and anyone else who needs a place at a Thanksgiving table. 

This year … well, it will be just us. 

It is weird. I usually cook for a lot of people. This cooking a Thanksgiving feast for four is weird.  But, everything is weird in 2020.  Despite the overwhelming theme of 2020, we are choosing to be thankful. 

We are thankful for our family, for our jobs, for our health, for our friends, for the time we’ve been secluded at home, for the time we’ve been been able to spend together, for the time we’ve had to refocus, for the experiences we’ve had, for the people we’ve been able to rely on and to be there for. We are thankful for the goodness of God in the midst of the chaos and the difficult times as well as in the joyful times.

We’ve tried to keep our traditions similar – same menu, same plans, same schedule. We plan to start the turkey a little later this year because it is much smaller. We plan to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – or whatever semblance of a parade they have.

Every year we read Cranberry Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite books – a sweet story about trust, thankfulness, and the value of looking at the inside and not judging by outside appearance. It is about strangers becoming friends and the joy that friendship brings – a beautiful message that is worth hearing time and time again.  

We plan to put up our Christmas tree after dinner, and usher in the season of Advent. Our family is built on tradition, so, no matter who is around our table, we will enjoy the company of our own little family, eat in the dining room, and thank God for us and keep our family, friends, neighbors and strangers in our hearts. We will pray for health and we will pray for healthcare workers. We will pray in this season of thankfulness for all the people who have touched our lives, showed kindness and brought a little extra sparkle to our hearts – God has put you there and we are thankful.

We hope you have unlimited lists of things for which you give thanks!

What is Thanksgiving Eve without a Van de Graaff Generator experiment????

Veterans Day Looks a Little Different This Year

Ret. U.S. Army Ranger, Colonel Wayne Kirkpatrick presents a wreath at the foot of the veterans memorial located at Woodstock Harley Davidson.

Veterans Day reminds us to thank those who have served their nation. Originally known as Armistice Day, November 11 served as a way to honor the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. After WWII and the Korean War, in 1954, the day became known as Veterans Day, and, since 1978, the holiday has been celebrated every November 11. 

Veterans Day looks so very different this year. I am used to photographing and covering events across the area – but schools are not in session, social distancing has hampered the usual gatherings, and veterans are feeling that something is missing.  I’ve been telling my friends that, this year, we need to make Veterans Day personal. We need to do something out of the ordinary. We need to go above and beyond and reach out to those individuals, because we will not be gathering with them all at once as we are so accustomed to. 

I’ve been blessed to be able to share stories of veterans time and time again. I’ve interviewed reluctant sharers, and I’ve interviewed oversharers. Never once have I felt my work has been in vain. Every veteran’s story deserves to be told. 

This year, Honor Flight Chicago chose to honor veterans who are on the waiting list to visit the war memorials in Washington, D.C. with yard signs.  It was the organization’s way of honoring them, despite the COVID crisis. I had the great honor of being able to follow their team captain around The Woodstock Independent's coverage area and photograph these veterans – all Vietnam veterans. 

They were proud and thankful to be the recipients of these yard signs, and I was honored to have shared some of their stories with our readers. You can read the Woodstock Independent story here.

I also was privileged to be able to take photos at a private Rolling Thunder ceremony at Woodstock Harley-Davidson. Veterans Day takes a somber tone when you think about those who have not returned home and whose whereabouts are not known. 

This dedicated crew of men and women – not all motorcyclists – assist with repatriation of remains as well as with veteran funerals. They raise funds to keep civilians aware of the fact that we have over 80,000 Americans missing from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and other conflicts. 

I am always thankful when I see Rolling Thunder, clad in black. I know the veterans they are serving -- along with their families -- are in good hands with RT. The dignity with which the non-profit organization handles the most challenging of circumstances is humbling, but their dedication to their country and to those who serve is inspiring.

To you, veterans, I am so thankful for your service to our country, for your commitment to freedom, and for your immense sacrifice. Every Vietnam veteran I spoke with for my article talked about his return home. It wasn’t great. It breaks my heart each and every time they share these stories. “Welcome home. And thank you.”

And to all of our veterans –  so many of you have touched my life in so many ways. Thank you for being models of integrity for my children, for teaching them the importance of patriotism, and for giving them a respect for a position that requires fearless sacrifice.

Happy Veterans Day to all veterans, and, thank you.

MIA/POWs who have been repatriated by Rolling Thunder Chapter 2

Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 flag display.

Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 presented pins and dog tags to veterans on Veterans Day at Woodstock Harley-Davidson.

Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 works tirelessly to educate civilians about the vast numbers of POW/MIAs still being actively searched for -- over 80,000.

The Woodstock Harley-Davidson proudly honors veterans, active-duty military, and Gold Star men and women.

Bugler Tom Poznanski plays Taps during the Rolling Thunder Veterans Day Program at WHD.

U.S.A.F. Lt. Colonel Fred Strauss fires his weapon during the 21-gun salute at the Woodstock VFW Post 5040 Veterans Day event. Lt. Col. Strauss flew A-37s

U.S. Army veteran John Widmayer plays the Taps for the VFW Post 5040 on Veterans Day at 11:11 a.m. Widmayer served with the Big Red One Boarder Unit.

Reach Out, Gather In ~ Karen Ehman

A friend posted something the other day about COVID-19 (I mean, who doesn’t), and I responded with, “I miss people.”

I’ve mused over this statement a little bit, because, the truth is, I actually am around people. Our girls figure skate, and I see parents in the stands – six feet away. I work outside of the home – both as an essential worker in the newspaper field and as a photographer who is in the field and on location. I see my neighbors and a specific circle of friends. I do see people.

So, am I really missing people? It might be more accurate to say that I miss those drop-in hospitality moments – the days when people rang your doorbell just because, when your friend was having a tough day and you invited her in for tea, when playdates included children and a parent and all was right with the world for a few hours, when you met a stranger, smiled, talked – maybe overshared (Julie, I’m talking about you), hugged, and became lifelong friends.

Yes, I miss carefree, organic, spontaneous hospitality.

I miss hosting holidays and dinners. I miss inviting people into my home.  I miss seeing people in a way that allows you to hug freely, laugh loudly, and feed generously.

So, when I was offered the opportunity to be a part of Karen Ehman’s launch team for her new book – Reach Out, Gather In, I was interested. 

Karen speaks my language, you see. I’m a “gatherer.” It doesn’t matter if we are talking strangers, neighbors, friends, people I meet through interviews for the newspaper or items I collect while thrift-store shopping. I am a gatherer. My husband dreads whenever I return from a store, because I usually come home with too much, and I have someone’s life story waiting to be shared – often with him.

I’ve been blessed to meet complete strangers and quickly count them as family. They share our table often, gather in my home for holidays, mourn with us, and celebrate with us. And we have been blessed by each one of them.

Reach Out, Gather In was a delightful read – the emphasis was inward, so it really resonated with me. One area that I tend to forget is making our home welcoming for my own family. We live here, so …. it seems as though we should feel welcomed, but Karen’s gentle words reminded me to serve with love – to light a candle, to serve dinner in a more formal, loving way, and to think of the small things that my husband and children might not even notice, but that might make them feel appreciated. And I think that is what we all are searching for right now – a little comfort.

Her book is full of recipes that I can’t wait to make for my little family inside these four walls around our kitchen table. Harvest season is perfect for reconnecting and home-cooked meals. Our living space is currently full of warm autumnal colors, pumpkins, Indian corn, gourds of various varieties, and candles that smell of warm, fall days. I brought out our cozy blankets so we can snuggle up to read or work on the couch. We repainted an end table to change our entryway and we are getting our hearth ready for wood-burning fires. At her urging, we are refocusing.

Karen’s emphasis is on ministering outside, but she gives practical tips on how to reach out and “gather in” during a pandemic. When we are out grocery shopping, do we speak words of kindness and encouragement? Have we texted a friend who needs to know that we are praying for her? Can we drop off something needed at a neighbor’s home? Might we bake a meal or snack for someone who might need some generosity? Can we call someone who needs to hear another human voice? 

Despite the pandemic, there are so many opportunities to “gather in.”

As the weather beings to turn here in the Midwest and we start to spend more time inside, Karen suggests that we work on preparing our homes so that, when normalcy returns, our home will be a welcoming place to gather.  Inspired by her, I will continue to get rid of unnecessary belongings and keep the things that are most meaningful. 

I will focus on Karen’s idea of in-the-moment-ministry. She encourages putting your full focus on others in that one moment – or several moments. I absolutely love that idea. For me, it is a reminder that, during this busy season of work, I can put work to the side, stop writing, stop editing, and spend time snuggling up with my youngest to read a story or go for a drive with a coffee with my oldest – and just be. I can focus on the cashier who is chatting about his dog. I can listen to the stories shared by friends over the phone. I can text friends with intent. I can help people realize that they are important and that they are a gift in my life.

Thank you, Karen, for so brilliantly releasing a book on hospitality during a global pandemic – to help us refocus our attitude.  We don’t need to invite people into our home to show hospitality. We can show hospitality outside of our homes, in the streets, at the grocery store, and in our jobs, and we can do so in our very own homes with the people we call family.

Reach Out, Gather In.

 

The Proposal

Being a photographer is a job that inherently brings with it great responsibility. You are asked to be the guardian of memories, the maker of art that, in a single frame, will capture one moment in time. You are asked to create that image in such a way that it evokes the very same emotions as it did the moment it happened.

 

Perhaps it is that great responsibility that thrills me when I am asked to photograph events such as weddings, family parties, milestones, and newborns. It is more than a job; it is my passion.

 

This week, I had the opportunity to photograph something I’ve never had occasion to photograph before.

 

God’s timing is always perfect, isn’t it? A touch over two years ago, I met a wonderful, god-fearing couple who became one of the most inspirational couples I’ve met– a couple who shared some of their story and who has prayed for me and with me.  They have invited me to photograph special moments with their family.  They have called me friend, and I am so blessed.

 

Two years ago, I photographed their daughter and her boyfriend at what really was the beginning of their relationship. This week … I had the chance to photograph their engagement.

 

These two are just a beautiful couple – inside and out. I’ve watched their relationship grow, and, every time I see them – in person or on social media – I can feel their love.  So when he asked me to capture this moment, I gladly accepted.

 

The engagement has been in the works for quite some time, and this poor man has been holding on to this ring since before COVID-19 permeated our lives. That awful virus has delayed this particularly well-planned proposal extensively, but, God will always use situations for good.

 

Since he works in the horticulture field, the man had been looking for a location that reflected his passion. We had a few venues picked out in early March when he approached me with this idea, but, social distancing rules and traffic patterns had other ideas, and, more than few months later, we ended up in the beautiful Elmhurst at Wilder Park Conservatory.

 

It was hot. And it was a greenhouse. But this couple had flown in from their very humid home climate, so, despite a looming proposal and a gorgeous diamond buried deep in his pocket, the man looked sharp, cool, and collected.  If he were nervous at all, he didn’t let on.

 

I, on the other hand, was a sweaty mess and apprehensive about the proposal and where it was all going to happen. As we stopped for photos along the way, I was suddenly and acutely aware that he and hadn’t planned a code for this, and I didn’t know how it was going to happen. I just had to be ready for anything.

 

She looked stunning, as usual, in a white, Marilyn Monroe-esque dress. As we ventured around the premises in 90-degree heat under the guise of fitting in a quick photoshoot while they were in town, we explored the flowers and gardens before we went in the much hotter greenhouse to see what lay in store for us.

 

He looked around for the perfect place to pop the question while I took photos – desperately looking for a sign. His soon-to-be fiancé stood blissfully unaware of the planning going on underfoot, yet her sparking eyes and genuine smile seemed to hint of the joy that was to come… all the while, from behind the camera lens, I see him staring at her … smitten. And all I can think is: when?

 

Then, in front of a koi pond, with gorgeous greenery in the backdrop and a few stunning flowers in the foreground … he pulled out a box, asked a question, and received his answer. And, through tears, I kept shooting.  

 

Congratulations to this gorgeous couple – your hearts are so pure and your love is so sincere. May this time of engagement be just as special as the two of you are!

Catholic Wedding Photographers, Do Not Despair

Catholic wedding photographers, do not despair.

 

I am a Catholic. I love a Catholic wedding. I love photographing Catholic weddings. I know that I am not the first photographer to shoot a wedding Mass during this pandemic, but this weekend was my first after a season of cancelations.

 

Photographers, our clients rely on us. We carry a lot on our shoulders. We keep the wedding day on track, we step in when needed, we calm nerves, we fix hair, we make connections, we smooth over family disagreements, we focus all of our attention on the details of the day, and we stay as inconspicuous as possible. While so many elements of wedding photography have changed, these remain the same.

 

Prior to the wedding, The Diocese of Rockford returned every call and answered every question. St. Thomas the Apostle worked tirelessly to ensure our safety. They provided us with the map to safely navigate this new era of weddings.

 

Photographers, I encourage you to attend the rehearsals of your clients. There were so many details that were discussed and then changed in the moment. Things looked different. Safety precautions were still in place. Masks were worn. Hand sanitizer was strategically placed. Face shields were worn. The sacrament of marriage was still the focus.

 

Our priests, deacon, and acolyte wore proper PPE. The consecration of the Eucharist was still powerful.

 

Guests in attendance wore masks or face shields to receive the Eucharist. They still received the Eucharist.

 

Our photos looked different. We had less time to take certain shots.  We still took beautiful photos.

 

Yes, this wedding looked different, but, I promise you, the wedding was still impactful. The bride and groom were united in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.  No one had forgotten how to behave during the most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

 

We took several photos outside in order to not spend as much time inside a closed space, and volunteers came in to clean and sanitize the church.

 

So, Catholic wedding photographers, do not despair. Your photos are a journalistic observation of the time. You are experienced and you will adapt and overcome. You might be wearing a KN95 like me and have to make sure your eyes are smiling to reassure your bride or groom. You might have to work a little harder to connect with the littlest participants. You might have to repeat what you say more often because your voice is muffled, but, rest assured, your photos will be beautiful. Your photos will capture moments of holiness. Your photos will be cherished.

 

 

Brides and Grooms, remember the meaning of this day and celebrate the sacrament. The rest is, well, icing on the wedding cake.

Happy Birthday, America

Fourth of July

I am filled with so many emotions during this 4^th of July weekend.  I am so blessed to live in this country where our freedom was purchased with the blood, sweat, tears, and, too often, lives of the men and women who have sacrificed so much so that others might live.  I think about the strength of those who put their names on the Declaration of Independence. I think of the men and women who gave their lives in service to keep our country safe and free. I think of the men and women today who answered when their country called and who live with visible and invisible wounds of war.  And I am so grateful.

Patriotism is about believing in our nation. It is about knowing that, despite its faults, it is a nation that people clamor to get to – crossing oceans, leaving families, changing lifestyles. It is a nation that is full of opportunity. It is a nation full of promise -- a country that, over the last four months, has shown great care and support for its citizens and who has demonstrated that the freedom of speech that men and women have died for is still upheld.

That freedom comes at a heavy cost.

I wrote an article recently about United States Army Specialist 4^th Class, Donald Eugene Dermont Jr. A 1963 Woodstock High School graduate, Dermont enlisted in 1964 to serve his country, receiving his basic training at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Tex., serving in Germany, and the re-enlisting to go to Vietnam.

Spc. Dermont was a medical aidman with Company C while it was engaged in “fierce” battle according to military documents released to the family. In reading through these documents, it was clear that the posthumous awarding of the Bronze Star Medal with a “V” Device for heroic actions was not given lightly.

The documents indicated that Dermont exposed himself to intense Viet Cong fire so that he could take care of those already injured. During this time, he must have noticed that a machine gun was left unarmed – a machine gun that he took up to use to protect his company. The military deemed this action “instrumental” in helping Company C hold steady during the assault. He then went back out to attend to the wounded before finding it necessary to occupy that machine gun once again. He went back and forth until he was fatally wounded.

The government document stated that Dermont displayed, “extreme courage and dedication,” and that he, “gave his life in the defense of his wounded comrades during the second assault. He made the supreme sacrifice so that others could live.”

Stories of bravery from those who serve give me pause.  This man – the teenager – gave his life for his country – for our country. For 244 years, men and women have died for our country. I am so proud to be an American. I am thankful every day. For the freedoms we have in this country, for the rights we have, for the democratic republic we live in, I am thankful.

Happy birthday, America.