89 years young my mother is

There they were gathered in the playroom, pulling out hats and musical instruments, giggling and planning a show for Yiayia's birthday. Out they came, the granddaughters, singing and dancing, illuminated by their youthful beauty and exuberance. Confident. Lovely. Magical. Adding an exclamation point to the day!

I remember Nick and Katie doing the same thing with their cousins at Donner Lake, with Samantha and Jack in Green Bay or Hinsdale.

Young kids love putting on shows like they love drawing. Before the fear and awkwardness sets in, before they worry about how good they are. If only they (we) could always live so confidently, singing and dancing with abandon.

Email covers miles, brings tears and smiles

Hello friends, 

I had an inkling the Holy Innocents mass was approaching so I checked the St. Isaac's bulletin online. 

I will miss being there on Sunday. It was such a sacred time to remember my little Cyciley, while praying for and caring about others.

I will pray for the Elizabeth Ministers and all the people you will touch through your goodness and compassion. 

Let me know how it goes - 

All is well out in Phoenix. Nicholas and Elizabeth's wedding day is less than two weeks away February 5. We are having a catered rehearsal dinner at our home with 55 people so needless to say, I am wrapped up in all the wonderful details. 

Warm wishes to all,

Marianne


Marianne, Thanks for the email. We will light a candle in memory of Cyciley. May the wedding be blessed and joyful! Feb. 5th is a great day- the day Brian Matthew was born to us after all of our losses and struggles! :)

Ramona

Ramona - Thank you! I never thought to ask but I would really like 
a candle for Cyciley. And Happy Birthday to Brian. I can relate!
Nick was the first born after our loss and now he's getting married.
God is good! Marianne 

Santa Cruz Boardwalk 2001

There they were - five kids packed tight in a photo booth as only cousins could be during a once a year vacation that spanned the distance from Chicago to California.

Five precious faces frozen in time.
Cousins hamming it up for the camera - a split second chance to look happy, silly, surprised after a day at the beach.

I spied the photo strip in a glass cabinet at Kirk and Beth's house between Christmas and New Year's. I had to have a copy. What a gift to behold - somehow different from the dozens of snapshots we took that week in 2001.

Huddled together as they were makes me feel like I could wrap my arms around them all at once - my son, daughter and nephews. So much has happened since that long ago day. The children have grown up but the connection remains....

Bryant, Chase, Katie, Jared
December 2010

Nick
December 2010

Love came down at Christmas

The number of stockings on the mantle is more significant than where we celebrate Christmas.

Last year, Katie, Jeff and I travelled home to Hinsdale. It was wonderful to be there, but I missed being with Nick and Lizzy.

I admit there were moments this year when I longed to be snowed in on Meadowbrook Lane.

Then we went to church on Christmas Eve, sang  the same familiar carols and lit candles in the darkness. Come Light of the World Jesus!

Christmas morning dawned under a bright blue sky. The sun glistened on the lake and I knew there was no place I'd rather be than Phoenix, surrounded by the warmth and glow of happy faces.

Katie

Lizzy and Nick

Zoey

Ozzie

Some birthdays are better than others

Nick with Lizzy on his 25th Birthday

Nicholas celebrated his fourth birthday on December 4, 1989, five days after Katie was born. We wanted to make him feel special on his birthday so we planned a party with his preschool friends: Louis, Rusty, Kendra, Kelly and others kids with names I can't remember now. 

The only challenge was our backyard. We had an old fashioned red swing set and plenty of space for running. We also had a pool and lived on a canal - two things not compatible with active, sugar-happy preschoolers.

"Let's hire a magician/clown to entertain the kids and keep them away from the water." 

It was a great idea that almost worked!

The phone rang just as the kids started arriving. Our entertainment had car trouble and WOULD NOT make it to the party at all. She relayed some party games over the phone and wished us luck.

I tried to pass Katie off to my mother so I could help - but back she came sobbing.  I couldn't get Katie to sleep or be comfortable anywhere but in my arms. Fortunately, others mothers came to Jeff's aid, and Kelly's mom Laura turned out to be quite good at kids' party games. No one fell in the pool or worst, the canal. Nicholas had a great birthday and turned into a patient and loving big brother, never blaming Katie - or the clown - for almost ruining his day. 

I was the one who felt like I missed out that four-year-old year so celebrating his 25th was an unexpected bonus. 

21 years ago today

I walked around our Miami neighborhood on a late November morning, the raindrops gently washing over me.

"This is the day our daughter will be born," I knew in my heart. I wanted to hurry her along so I walked.

When the drizzle turned to rain, I walked around the pool, partly sheltered by the screened enclosure.

When darkness fell, I walked around the house.

Suddenly, the leisurely day turned rushed. Quick, we need to go, I told Jeff as he fumbled for my shoes. Forget the shoes! I wore shoes all day, walking with my daughter.  I laid on the back seat of the minivan - no shoes necessary - went from the minivan to a wheelchair - from the wheelchair straight to the delivery room. Moments later, Katie entered the world.

Eighteen months later, we moved to Hinsdale. When I told Katie she was born in Miami, she heard me say "my ami".  If anyone asked Katie where she was born, she would sweetly reply, "In Mommy's Amy."  Pretty smart for a little one!

Twenty one seasons have passed since that rainy November 29th in Miami when we walked as one. Katie learned to walk alone early and has been on the go ever since.

Every story has a beginning, middle and ending. This is Katie's beginning, she's nowhere near the middle and it's way too soon to know the ending. Still, turning 21 is a milestone, the passage into adulthood and a time to be celebrated. A time to walk together and a time to run like the wind in new directions.

Scenes from our Road Trip

We left home midday on Thursday, November 18 with Ozzie nestled amid piles of stuff...again. First stop - St. Louis to see Susan and Steve before heading out on Friday for a mostly flat drive through Missouri and the center of Kansas. We reached Pueblo, Colorado by nightfall and decided to stop so we could enjoy the mountain scenery by day. Saturday was a great sightseeing day through Durango, Four Corners and Flagstaff, where we had dinner with Katie, Meg and Kendra. We left Flag just as the wind and freezing rain started making the trip down the mountain difficult until we reached calmer weather.  Arrived at home in Phoenix around midnight. 

Four Corners 

San Francisco Peaks - Flagstaff