Working together, one birthday at a time.

My husband celebrates his birthday today. Actually, it officially was around 2 a.m., so I probably should have set an alarm and sung “Happy Birthday” to him with enthusiasm, but I didn’t – and I think he probably is more thankful for uninterrupted sleep than a song.

When I think about how we met, how he wooed me and how we have become our own little family, I think about how blessed I am – we are.

My husband is a man of integrity and wisdom. He is funny and smart. He is serious and fun-loving. He is faithful and spontaneous. He is studious and athletic. He likes to eat, and he likes to cook. 

I am blessed with this dichotomy he brings to our marriage.

I am an artsy sort of person; he is a science guy. I am a writer; he is a problem-solver. I am a dancer; he is a physicist. I am a photographer; he is a videographer. I am emotive; he is logical. I am an extrovert; he is an introvert.

At first glance, we are quite opposite. More importantly, we are complementary. 

Sure there are areas on which we disagree and where we stand at odds, but, for the most part, I like how we work together. 

He knows I will make the bed every morning. I know that on Saturdays, he will make the coffee. He knows that I will have laundry washed, folded and put in his drawers so he will have clothes for work. I know that he will shovel the driveway so that I can get the kids to their practices or lessons. He knows that I will make our home feel, well, homey -- and use the candles and colors he likes (I will even paint a large airplane canvas to go over the couch indulging his love of aviation!). I know that he will take the many toys and broken gadgets that end up on his fix-it table and, well, fix them.

Is he perfect? Nope. But, neither am I. We are, however, perfect for one another. So, on his birthday, the kids and I will bake a cake – and he will come home with the candles … because I forgot them.

Happy birthday, Honey!

Life is too short for bad coffee

My youngest loving Gander in our home

I love coffee - particularly good coffee. The beginning of this love affair? Well, I suspect it was sometime in college when a friend introduced me to it, but later on, while student teaching, it became a fond companion as late-night grading and early morning lesson planning became part of my daily routine.

My teaching career then brought late coffee date nights with my husband.

As I’ve grown older, had children and changed careers, my coffee tastebuds also apparently have grown more mature.

While I used to laugh at friends who made fun of my cheap coffee tastes, I now have joined with coffee connoisseurs thanks to my dear husband.

When he makes me coffee, I know it is his ~ it is delicious. Part of that, I am sure, is because he has preferred roasts – usually locally roasted beans.

One of our favorite coffees is Hansa Coffee Roasters Gander’s Choice.

Our friend Lon is a Vietnam Veteran living with post traumatic stress disorder. His service dog, a labradoodle named Gander, assists him with PTSD as well as with mobility. Lon fiercely advocates for service dogs and for those who are indebted to these animals. Part of his mission is to support veterans and active duty military -- and that mission also includes coffee.

I love Gander’s Choice for several reasons:

1.     I love that the coffee tastes and smells awesome! 

2.     I love that when I purchase Gander’s Choice, a portion of the profits goes toward helping veterans living with PTSD and trauma.

3.     I love Lon and his amazing service dog Gander – because they are tireless advocates for the service dog community and for veterans.

Gander reads my kids a story beneath our Christmas tree this weekend.

Gander is a fairly famous dog. I am proud to say my girls have become fast-friends with him. Lon likes to say that he is just a roadie to Gander's show, but we know better. Lon is the reason so many other veterans don't have to worry about access to public places. He is the reason Gander is so well-known. And he is the reason we make time to see the pair when he is in the area. Lon is fascinating, compelling and compassionate. Our world is a little (actually a lot) brighter because of him.

My world was broadened exponentially when Lon took the time a couple of years ago, to reach out to me -- a woman who didn't like dogs -- at a veterans conference. (He always is up for a challenge, and I apparently was next on his list.) I ended up falling in love with (and "liking" the Facebook page of) a dog, of all things! Check out Gander's FB page here and Lon's blog here to learn more about the effect service dogs have on veterans living with PTSD. ABC 7 Chicago just ran an investigative segment featuring Lon and Gander. Find it here!

As I grow older, life seems too short for bad coffee, so I love that I can brew a cup of coffee and know that, at least in a very little way, I am doing something to help others. (It is good coffee in so many ways.)

Proud Gander's Choice coffee drinkers! OK, my husband is taking the photo, but he is the real coffee guy. The kids are pretty excited to have both the coffee bag with Gander's photo on it and the real-life Gander in our family room. 

A little bit of 90th Birthday Celebrating!

Recently we celebrated my grandmother’s 90^th birthday.

I continually am amazed when I think about how much change she has seen. It is incomprehensible to me. Television, phones, computers, cell phones – everything has come about during her lifetime.

But, I also realized that as time goes on, I hardly see some of my extended family. Funerals, weddings and milestone birthdays seem to bring everyone together, however.

The busy nature of our lives, miles and the ever-increasing new members of our families make it more difficult to gather.

In those moments when we do -- like this party -- I am reminded of all I am thankful for:

My grandmother is amazing! She looks fantastic, still has a great memory and looks gorgeous. My littles wish they could see her more often!

My littlest spent nearly the entire night with her great-great-uncles! My heart couldn’t have been happier there. The giggles from all three were so reminiscent of when I played with them as a small child myself.

I had some much-needed and long-overdue bonding time with my cousins, aunts, great-aunts and grandmother.

My children met my grandmother and aunt’s good friend Sr. Mary Eileen who, at 97, was able to leave the convent for a few hours to celebrate their friendship.

So, this week, I am celebrating time – the wisdom that comes with age, the love that comes with age, the forgiveness that comes with age, the joy that comes in seeing the love you’ve cultivated over the many years. I also feel incredibly blessed that my family thrives on familiarity. It could be that years pass between visits, but the love and kindness that we share still feels very much like we just saw each other yesterday.

You must have cake!

My grandmother and I

Sr. Mary Eileen and my grandmother -- love this friendship! 

My littlest playing with, giggling with and teasing her great-great-uncles!

My oldest and her great grandmother.

My kiddos, Sr. Mary Eileen and my grandmother -- caught on my iphone.

The Light of Christ and a neighborhood filled with luminaries

Christmas.

It is a special time of year for many, and yet, a difficult time for others. While some are immersed in the joy of Christ’s birth, others find themselves stuck in the mire of the crucifixion.

During this year of mercy, we are asked to live and breathe the gospel message. What does that mean for us? It necessitates that we walk the walk of our faith, but that we meet others where they are. It means speaking with gentleness and giving with a servant’s heart. It means embracing the Light of Christ and illuminating the path toward Heaven for others as well as for ourselves.

During Mass on Christmas Eve, the lights were dimmed in our church and we sang Silent Night while the nativity was illuminated. Sometimes the world seems so dark and painful, but the Christ Child has brought with Him the light.

 

The Nativity at our church

On the way back from Mass, we stumbled upon an entire neighborhood alight with luminaries lining every street and every driveway. The parkway was filled with thousands of tea lights in paper bags. It was breathtaking. It was peaceful. It was the embodiment of Silent Night.

Thousands of luminaries filled the streets
of one local neighborhood!

I asked my husband to stop the car and I asked a man standing on the street how the neighborhood had organized such an undertaking. He said that he had no idea how the candles had gotten there, but that it was such a wonderful and beautiful blessing to him.

Whoever planned this remarkable gift clearly had the Light of Christ in their hearts. Those luminaries were seeking me, pulling me, begging me to come to the manger that night. They calmed my weary soul. They renewed my spirit. They engaged my heart and brought me to my knees ~ for such a simple light, when multiplied, illuminated the entire neighborhood. How much more can we illuminate the path for others when we do as Mother Theresa said, “small things with great love?"

This Christmas, do something small. Say hello on the street, drop off brand-new mittens and a hat to the homeless shelter, buy someone a cup of coffee, offer a hug to someone who looks like they may need one, let someone go in front of you in line, smile at the weary cashier. Be the Light of Christ as we remember the infant Jesus.

Wishing you peace this Christmas!

The nativity at my parents' house.

Taking Photos for Photos With Santa

I was asked to be the Photos With Santa photographer at Talk About Curing Autism Illinois Chapter’s Holiday Party.

Word of mouth lead me there (thanks, Susie), but a piece of my heart always will be left there.

Talk About Curing Autism Illinois Chapter is a center in McHenry County, Illinois devoted to educating, supporting and informing parents whose children have been diagnosed with autism.  What was clear to me after setting foot in the building was that TACA is much more than that – it is a family.

Written on the wall is a sign that reads: Faith makes all things possible, not easy.

 

How true that is for all families, but in a special way, for these families.

Each of the children I met came with amazing parents. The smiles on the children’s faces mirrored the smiles on their parents’ faces, which tells me that these parents know exactly what they are doing – loving their children and walking the walk with their children, each and every day.

If you are in Illinois or Southern Wisconsin, you can visit the TACA Illinois Chapter here to find out more about their services or how you can volunteer.

Also notable was Santa Mark.  He was enthusiastic and compassionate. Santa, along with his wife, brought kind words, an understanding smile and the wisdom that only the gentlest of Santas can bring. Whether he smiled unnoticed by the child on the stairs in front of him or stepped off the set to kneel beside a wheelchair, Santa made sure each child was comfortable and acknowledged. He knew just what to say and when to say it. It was wonderful just watching him interact with the families.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with the owners and staff at Talk About Curing Autism Illinois Chapter, and I truly feel blessed to have met some of the amazing children who have walked through their doors.

Here are a few of those special moments:

Santa Mark made room for everyone!

Santa Mark was content to stand in the shadows while this young lady took her photo front-and-center on the steps.

Santa Mark graciously indulged the children in some friendly "beard-pulling!"

This little guy visited Santa for the first time ever! Way to go, buddy!

One of the staff members pictured with her daughter.

Another staff member with her husband and daughter ~ enjoying these special moments with Santa.