Because of Her

"The suffering we experience after we have lost someone is

merely a reflection of the magnitude of the love we have for them."

Last year on this day, she wanted to take her children and grandchildren to the amusement park.   She wanted Lucy to experience rides for the first time.  She wanted Vince, Josh and Lindsay to ride roller coasters.  She wanted to buy our meals and sit down together to eat. She simply wanted to be together as a family.  Her wish.  Her request. A selfless act, considering she had an arthritic knee, couldn’t walk far, and had never enjoyed rides.  True to form, she put others before herself.  This last time that she would be alive on July 27th, she was doing what made her happiest:  be with her family.   

So today I will not think of the if-onlys and what-ifs, but will reflect on the immense gratitude I feel that she got what she wanted on the last celebration of her special day.

Thank you God, for giving her to us for 70 years.  

Because of her...we are all better.

Happy Birthday Mom.   In our hearts, we are all still together.

Graces...

~Grandparents who come visit so they can have one-on-one time with their granddaughter.

~A quiet Cathedral in downtown Cleveland--filled with my Mom’s presence--with a “private concert” of sorts on the pipe organ.

~A husband who willingly and graciously takes off work and takes over the household so that I can be with family in need.

~A Dad and an Aunt who I can laugh and cry with.

 

~A daughter who says “I love you” spontaneously and without elicitation.

My first tomato from the garden!

My third peach!

I always want to do what Mama is doing...even wearing her clothes!

Summer is going well.  I hope you can say the same :) !

What Matters Most

I look back on Fourth of July traditions from my childhood with such fondness. The day always started by waking up bright and early at my grandma’s house in Columbus.  A car would drive through the neighborhood, with some brave soul shouting through a megaphone: “Everyone get up! Happy 4^th of July! Time for the parade!”  Crowds of people would gather in Upper Arlington for what I remember as some of the best parades of my life.  Small American flags would be distributed to those in attendance so that they could proudly be waved throughout the parade.   The marching bands were always my favorite, particularly the drum line.  After the parade we gathered at Jack and Jackie's, where what seemed like fifty of my parents' friends would gather for a wonderful brunch, lots of Wimbledon-watching, and plenty of playing outside.   The day was always leisurely and relaxed, with great anticipation for what was to come later that night…the fireworks!  They were always thrilling, and a great way to end the day.

I didn’t appreciate then, what I know to appreciate now. 

The importance of...

Family

Patriotism

Community

Pride

Connection

Relaxation

Togetherness

How grateful I am to my Mom and Dad for the feelings and values that resonate with me as a result of my childhood traditions.

So on this Fourth of July (celebrating for the second year in a row with my niece Lindsay) I could only hope that one day Lucy would also reminisce about her experiences and what mattered the most:  the positive feelings and memories that were established as a result of tradition and being with family. 

Family

 Patriotism

Community

 Pride

  

Connection

 Relaxation

  

Togetherness

  

From our silly girl....Happy Independence Day!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

If you look back to the "New Life" blog, you can see below how abundantly things are growing in our ‘Mother’s Day’ garden.   And thanks to my friend Mary, who gave me several seeds to try, there are also zinnias, cosmos, marigolds, parsley and cucumbers starting to thrive!   I even picked up a pumpkin plant the other day, and hope that come fall, we will have grown our own Halloween treasure.  Lucy helps observe, water, weed….and pick!   The entire venture has been more rewarding than I ever could have imagined. It has been a good reminder of an important life lesson: that when you work towards earning or gaining (or producing!) something, it takes on a much greater value than when it is just given to you. 

 

The garden has welcomed some new friends to our backyard….

It is fun to watch the deer, and chipmunks, and squirrels, and rabbits....but they better stay clear of our hard work!

On a different note, my nephew Vince came into town recently.  What a pleasure it was to spend time with him and observe what a mature, thoughtful, responsible young man he has become.   We had a wonderful visit. Lucy loves her cousin lots!

Whatever your adventures are this summer, I hope they are bringing you contentment and joy.  Try growing something...it is certain to help!

"Is She a Daddy's Girl?"

It is a question I get often.  I am not sure how to answer, or what exactly it means. But what I can tell you about Lucy is this...

     She clings to her Dada (with a death grip) every day when he leaves for work.

     

     She jumps up and down (literally) every day when he gets home from work.  

     

     She begs him (regularly) to  " come here a second " so he will come play.

     

     She (spontaneously) snuggles and kisses him all the time. 

 
One thing I know for sure: Lucy loves her Dada lots.

I have been pondering the things of Dads, due to the special day of Father's Day that just passed.   Along with Lucy's relationship to Brian, I have been thinking about my own relationship with my Dad.  And what I realize is that Brian and my Dad share many of the same fine qualities...

     Patience 
    
     Concern

     Attentiveness

     Thoughtfulness

     Affection 

     Unconditional love

So, to the two best dad's in my life...Happy Father's Day.

We were fortunate to be able to spend the day in Indy...

God (or my Mom) decided to drop Brian a smile on his special day.  We were out on our deck when Lucy said...
                                          

"Look Dada....rainbow!"

Surely she was mistaken, as it hadn't rained in hours.  And as Lucy can tell you when asked, it takes "sun and rain" to make a rainbow.   But before our eyes, there it was, up in the sky...

A smile for Brian...

So you tell me, is she a Daddy's girl?

Content with Circumstances

In the book I am currently reading, Calm My Anxious Heart, by Linda Dillow, the author emphasizes the importance of seeking contentment, no matter what your circumstances are.   Contentment is internal, and can be found through perspective, attitude and faith; it should not be sought through external occurrences and things, for this will surely disappoint.  The following scripture was quoted in this book, a good summary of the author’s point:

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds.   Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

(Phillippians 4:7-8)

While loading all the pictures below (there are lots, since I have not been on here for awhile!), I realized just how much I have to be content about.    When I forget, and get bogged down with the external circumstances that are often out of my control, I will look at these pictures of my dear Lucy, and my wonderful family, and remind myself of all that is true, and right, and pure and lovely…

 

Memorial Day at the park...

and the parade.... "is all this candy really mine?"

A hot evening spent in Hyde Park...

Lucy loved the water fountain!

Lucy's first Cincinnati Reds game!

We made it on the jumbo tron!

Lucy loved all the music and activity at the game. 

Lucy getting cozy at a great little neighborhood book store.

Home to Indy for cousin Lindsay's 8th grade graduation.

I love my cousin Josh...

and my Aunt Lisa!

Congratulations Lindsay!

Lucy wants to be one of the graduates!

My Dad is a rock star among all of Lindsay's friends.

He will miss seeing all you gals at mass every week.

We are so proud of you Lindsay!

We are truly blessed.