It's raining right now over Chicago. Only remnants of snow are left in patches along grassy areas. We just drove home from our Christmas Eve celebration at Ralph & Mary's in Tinley Park. It's a surreal drive to their house because we usually head out there about the time all of the stores are closing. You see all of the last minutes shoppers scurrying out of the shops. Everything closes ... even White Castle ... but the church lots were full.
I received a call from a former co-worker this afternoon. Victor is a dear, older man who worked at the firm years ago. I've kept in touch with him through our annual Christmas card and letter. He called to say that he received this year's card and was so glad that I've kept in touch with him. He's 81-years-old and just had some type of surgery on his legs. This man is one of those people who is just genuinely kind and brillant the same. David once told me that for a living Victor would translate patents into different languages (he spoke five plus languages, I believe). It was a short call. Victor said that our family is a very rare one to find these days. We wished each other a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. It was nice to hear his voice again.
On Thursday afternoon, I stumbled into Three First National Plaza. An instrumental ansemble was playing Christmas songs in the lobby. It was a good reprieve from the hustle and bustle all around. I've been running around hurriedly, succumbing to the pressure to "find the right gift" for everyone on my list; but, in that moment, just hearing the carols caused me to stop and listen ... to reflect. For what occurred in a stinky, cold stable more than 2,000 years ago changed my life. God, in flesh, allowing himself to be born as the baby Jesus in order to redeem all of humanity. What love He has for me ... what sacrifice was given ... His grace bestowed on me.
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed. The little, lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where he lay; the little, lord Jesus asleep on the hay ... Be near me lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay; close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care and take us to heaven to live with thee there.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Monday, December 19, 2005
The Letter
2005. I find myself in the same place as I was this time last year ... eight days into December with so much left to do, so much to avoid doing. The unseasonably cold weather that now hovers over the city caps off an unusual summer of drought and heat in the Midwest. To say “unusual” is an understatement, as the country — the world — endured a series of weather and geologic catastrophes on a scale never before seen. We have witnessed destruction that yielded much sadness and tears; called some to surrender, others to lend a hand; and taught us that what we think are “problems” in our own lives, pale in comparison to what people around the world and in our own country deal with. I read a story in the paper recently about women and children in Pakistan who were sleeping at night in large bird cages in an abandoned zoo. It was the only place they had to stay which was safe after an earthquake decimated many of the villages. Imagine.
“I waited patiently for the Lord. He inclined and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit. Out of the miry clay.”
Caitlyn is in her final year of grammar school (8th grade). If all goes as expected, she will start high school next fall at Chicago Hope Academy, which is located in the city’s medical district on the near west side (check out the school at: chicagohopeacademy.org). Alexandra is now a 4th grader and is looking forward to next year because she’ll finally be able to participate in sports. She is still interested in becoming a veterinarian. ✳ In June, we took the girls down to Florida for their first Disney visit. We were on the go the entire time, but we thoroughly enjoyed the time together (Space Mountain rocks!) ✳ After a year spent putting his vast carpentry skills to use, Darrin completed the basement remodeling project in November. It has given us some extra space which has become the family room/home office area. Since we’ve moved things around, the girls now have their own bedrooms and they’ve been busy decorating them. ✳ I spent some time this Summer training for my first 10K run, the Nike One Hit Wonder. It was staged on a hot, September night down along Lake Michigan and featured bands throughout the course. It was one of the most physically challenging thing I’ve very done, but I’m glad that I completed the race and I’ve got a medal to prove it!
“I will sing, sing a new song ... How long to sing this song?
How long, how long, how long ... how long to sing this song?”
And I remember ... a long, dry summer; the joy of freshly brewed coffee in the morning; familiar walks; hot chai tea with skim milk; early morning prayers with a friend; farewells to our hermit crab; lunchtime runs through Grant Park; the births of babies and the passing of old friends; the view from the Orange Line as it crests above 18th and State Street; singing Happy Birthday to Bono outside the Park Hyatt; Florida in June; early Sunday morning runs up to and through Marquette Park; reconnecting with old friends; new attempts to grow hydrangea; singing along in the name of love; chance photographs; hearing a voice that’s still whispering; pictures of the destruction caused by the tsunami and Hurricane Katrina; Caitlyn’s final softball and volleyball games of grammar school; Darrin & Alex surprising us by playing “Amazing Grace” on guitar; One; the privilege to watch our friends’ children grow up with ours; family birthday celebrations; Sunday mornings spent with the 4 & 5-year-olds in church; sprinting down Columbus toward the finish line; working in my garden; moving forward; the autumn colors at the Morton Arboretum; egg white omelets with mushroom and spinach; the ability to fill my lungs with air to breathe and muscles that continue to propel this 30-something body; and just how good God is.
“You set my feet upon a rock and made my footsteps firm. Many will see, many will see and hear.”
2006. May the new year bring you much love and peace. I pray that your celebration of the Savior’s birth will remind you of all that He has done for you in giving His life as a ransom for all –“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11); “for, Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
“I will sing, sing a new song ... how long to sing this song?”
Lyrics from the song “40" by U2
“I waited patiently for the Lord. He inclined and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit. Out of the miry clay.”
Caitlyn is in her final year of grammar school (8th grade). If all goes as expected, she will start high school next fall at Chicago Hope Academy, which is located in the city’s medical district on the near west side (check out the school at: chicagohopeacademy.org). Alexandra is now a 4th grader and is looking forward to next year because she’ll finally be able to participate in sports. She is still interested in becoming a veterinarian. ✳ In June, we took the girls down to Florida for their first Disney visit. We were on the go the entire time, but we thoroughly enjoyed the time together (Space Mountain rocks!) ✳ After a year spent putting his vast carpentry skills to use, Darrin completed the basement remodeling project in November. It has given us some extra space which has become the family room/home office area. Since we’ve moved things around, the girls now have their own bedrooms and they’ve been busy decorating them. ✳ I spent some time this Summer training for my first 10K run, the Nike One Hit Wonder. It was staged on a hot, September night down along Lake Michigan and featured bands throughout the course. It was one of the most physically challenging thing I’ve very done, but I’m glad that I completed the race and I’ve got a medal to prove it!
“I will sing, sing a new song ... How long to sing this song?
How long, how long, how long ... how long to sing this song?”
And I remember ... a long, dry summer; the joy of freshly brewed coffee in the morning; familiar walks; hot chai tea with skim milk; early morning prayers with a friend; farewells to our hermit crab; lunchtime runs through Grant Park; the births of babies and the passing of old friends; the view from the Orange Line as it crests above 18th and State Street; singing Happy Birthday to Bono outside the Park Hyatt; Florida in June; early Sunday morning runs up to and through Marquette Park; reconnecting with old friends; new attempts to grow hydrangea; singing along in the name of love; chance photographs; hearing a voice that’s still whispering; pictures of the destruction caused by the tsunami and Hurricane Katrina; Caitlyn’s final softball and volleyball games of grammar school; Darrin & Alex surprising us by playing “Amazing Grace” on guitar; One; the privilege to watch our friends’ children grow up with ours; family birthday celebrations; Sunday mornings spent with the 4 & 5-year-olds in church; sprinting down Columbus toward the finish line; working in my garden; moving forward; the autumn colors at the Morton Arboretum; egg white omelets with mushroom and spinach; the ability to fill my lungs with air to breathe and muscles that continue to propel this 30-something body; and just how good God is.
“You set my feet upon a rock and made my footsteps firm. Many will see, many will see and hear.”
2006. May the new year bring you much love and peace. I pray that your celebration of the Savior’s birth will remind you of all that He has done for you in giving His life as a ransom for all –“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11); “for, Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
“I will sing, sing a new song ... how long to sing this song?”
Lyrics from the song “40" by U2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)