A family reunion ... that wasn't mine

Every so often, I do a photo shoot that warms my heart and secures a place in my memory.

Such was the case this weekend.

I had the pleasure of spending most of the day with one family, photographing individual families, couples, children, grandchildren, godchildren, really, just a whole bunch of love.

From the minute I walked into the crowd of thirty (which then became 80), I felt like family.

My husband is from a large family, so I appreciate large-family dynamics and the special bond amongst cousins. It is beautiful to watch adult siblings get together, be goofy with one another and enjoy these fleeting moments hearkening back to long, carefree childhood days spent side by side.

This gathering was no different – the family has planted seeds and rooted itself all over the world, actually. While the siblings had not been together in the same place for five years or so, that love and friendship that one can find only with brothers and sisters was present – and I was able to capture some of those moments this weekend.

Very soon, each will be back in his or her respective states. One will be deployed. Several will head to college. Kids will be back to school. Life will go back to normal, but the memories made for this beautiful family – together in one place – will live on.

I was overwhelmed with emotion as I left. One sibling and his wife have been especially dear friends of ours. After they moved away, our lives very rarely intersect in person, but, when either of them is in the area, they routinely make it a point to spend time with my family. I am blessed beyond belief to have them in my life. To have met all of the incredible brothers, sisters, in-laws, parents and nieces and nephews and to be able to put faces with names was so extraordinarily special for me. I loved every conversation I had. Through my lens, I watched this family and the gentle kindness that is present within each of them – they are remarkable people, every one of them.

They affect change in others. They minister to others. They live lives of service. They are beautiful.

When I hugged them and walked away, I felt as though I were saying goodbye to family that I have known forever. But my heart was heaviest knowing that my dear friends would once again be hundreds of miles away … living a life they were destined to lead.

~Wishing all of you safe travels!

Happy Independence Day!

Sometimes we say it casually, but it is a beautiful phrase with rich meaning: Happy Independence Day!

I always have been thankful to live in the United States of America; over the past several years, as I’ve interviewed and come to know an ever-increasing number of veterans and active-duty military, I have come to appreciate my country even more.

I don't know that I ever truly will understand just how blessed I am; to think of how many people have put their lives on the line for our freedom is daunting. We are a nation that values freedom, and, with all of the birthday celebrations for our dear country, I am thankful that we live in the home of the free because of the brave. I am thankful that we can enjoy dinners and fireworks with family and friends united under our American Flag.

Wherever you are, I encourage you to take a moment to remember how truly blessed we are.

Individually we might feel a little tattered like the beautiful edges of the flag that flies above the Woodstock Harley-Davidson veterans memorial, but we are strong together, courageous in the red, white and blue.  We are strong because of the men and women who serve our country. From the Revolutionary War onward, brave men and women have shown us that American freedom is not free.

Happy birthday, United States of America!

Garrison flag the flies high and strong above the Woodstock Harley-Davidson veterans memorial.

The Boone County 4-H Drill Team presented the flag before the B Bar C International Horse Promoters July Horse Show this past weekend. 

Crystal Lake fireworks display.

The Fourth isn't the Fourth without a craft project.

Homemade Italian Ice for today!

My beautiful and every-chic sister-in-law used fancy chalkboard tags for dinner the other day, so we made our own knock-offs for today's celebration! Thanks for the inspiration S-!

Cute bow project for the girls coming over and some canvases for the boys to paint flags.

My youngest with a star in her hair to celebrate our country's birthday.

Matthew Kelly: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose

Matthew Kelly presented his Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose talk at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Palatine, IL.

Several years ago, a young man from Australia came to speak to my young adult group. His message was simple: God desires for you to become to best version of yourself.

As a college student looking at that path ahead of me, being uncertain of my journey, wondering where I would be living, what career path I would take, whether I was called to the vocation of marriage, whether I would have a family … all of those questions were looming in front of me at that time. But as my future husband and I listened to Matthew Kelly’s talk that night and as I continued to read his books, I began to see that we all need to long for holiness in order to be the best version of ourselves.

Fast forward a couple – well, OK, a few – years. I started my first career as a high school educator, married my husband, had two beautiful girls and started my second career as a writer and photographer. My husband and I have continued to be fans of Kelly – from his books, to his various speaking engagements, to his online seasonal programs – and and we always walk away inspired. 

After we found out he was going to be speaking nearby, we purchased tickets, excited to see him in person again. Several years, multiple best-selling books, a major organization and a ridiculous amount of speaking engagements later, Matthew Kelly’s message remains: God desires us to be the best version of ourselves.

Oh, his presentation is longer. He has added a talented acoustic guitarist and singer/songwriter, Eliot Morris. He brings other employees with him to talk about aspects of his Dynamic Catholic organization. But, the honesty -- the brutal honesty that had inspired my husband and I all those many years ago -- still is present. 

I am so thankful for this opportunity not only to be inspired, but also to take an honest look at my own life.

Kelly maintains that we are creatures of habit, and that we can only change when our habits change.

More than fifteen years later, I still need this reminder! How many times do I hear Kelly speak about or write about a particular habit and think: "Hmmmmm. Yeah, I’ve done that. When did I fall out of that habit?" Too frequently when I look at my daily routine, I realize that I've let good habits -- habits that help me become the best version of myself -- slide. 

For example, on Sunday Kelly spoke about spending time in silence.  Yes, I’ve committed to this priority in the past ... back when I wasn’t working, when the kids were little, when we didn’t have crazy 7 a.m. skating practices, when I didn’t work until 2 a.m. Yes. I had that time. But, slowly, it was edged out … by early morning activities, deadlines and homeschool prep. Matthew Kelly is so spot-on -- again! I clearly need this. When did my habit change?

Another key point was that we ALL have talents and abilities. Kelly said that God speaks to us through these talents and abilities. What a truly beautiful way to look at our gifts! He reminded me that if I don’t have a particular talent, then I do not need it for my journey. I have my own -- and God expects me to use them to desire holiness. Looking at my abilities in that way certainly shifts the focus of my life from comparison (the thief of joy) to contentment. And, goodness, as a mom, as a wife, as a writer/photographer, I am so guilty of comparison. How much more effective would I be if I were content with my God-given abilities?

One more point worth sharing is the idea that most of us live lives of quiet desperation. Because I know this to be true, I put an emphasis on smiling at others, reaching out and just being kind – honestly some of my dearest friends have come from a random smile that lead to strangers becoming like family. But the reminder for me this Sunday was to remember to extend that same grace and kindness to my family – when we are in a hurry to get to lessons, when we have to finish our school before we can do the next fun activity, when the toys still are on the floor, when the laundry isn’t folded -- I need to be the one to extend that grace. I want our home to be a place of joy … and if I can smile at strangers, I can smile with those I love the most.

If you have the opportunity to see Matthew Kelly in person, I encourage you to go – he is engaging, inspiring and encouraging. Check out his website: dynamiccatholic.com for resources, reading material, encouragement and more.

Kelly ended his talk emphasizing that if we fill our churches with dynamic people, our churches will be dynamic.

Thank you, Matthew Kelly, for these important reminders to:

be holy,

be dynamic, and

be the best version of yourself.  

Kelly speaks with his own passion and purpose. One of the best reasons to see Matthew Kelly speak live is to see his genuine joy.

Eliot Morris performed several inspirational acoustic guitar sets.

Sisters enjoying the Sunday afternoon Matthew Kelly presentation.

A beautiful Divine Mercy mosaic at St. Theresa parish.

St. Theresa Parish Pastor Timothy Fairman -- he gave me a hard time about my Nikon (he shoots with a pretty nice Canon).

Thank you, Matthew Kelly, for an inspirational talk.

Great date night at Matthew Kelly's Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose talk with my husband!