Looking Back 2010

Darrin and his girls

2010.  December. In a few short hours, a total lunar eclipse on the Winter Solstice will begin. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to see it here in Chicago due to snow and gray skies. Isn’t that a good analogy of life? Some magical event is about to happen or take place around us and our view is obstructed by someone or something. Just because we can’t see it, doesn’t mean that the event isn’t going to occur. Our sight might be hindered and we may be discouraged, but life goes on. We move forward ... “holding on tightly and breathing in life’s sweet breath.”

All the lonely people cryin'.  It could change if we just get started.  Lift the darkness, light a fire.  For the silent and the broken hearted.

Alex running at the Nike Northside Southside Challenge in October.

Both Caitlyn and Alexandra graduated this past year from high school and grammar school, respectively. The “Salutatorian Sisters” each gave speeches during their graduation ceremonies and we celebrated their achievements with an open house for family and friends in June. * Alexandra is now a freshman at Chicago Hope Academy. She was a member of the cross country team this Fall and had a unique opportunity to run in the Nike Northside Southside Challenge during this year’s Chicago Marathon in October. After each meet, she’d break her “PR” (personal record) for time. Currently, Alexandra is in the middle of the girls basketball season at Hope. She is continuing to develop her ball handling and shooting skills. * Caitlyn started classes at the University of Illinois at Chicago in August, where she is a chemistry major and a member of the Honors College.

Caitlyn & Lottie on Halloween

Unexpected news took us by shock and surprise this Summer. We have shared the news with most of our family and close friends. The past few months have been rough, but we know that God is using this for His honor and glory. Caitlyn will continue to pursue her degree in order to accomplish her goal of becoming a forensic scientist and we will do all that we can to support her and our soon-to-be grand baby. Isn’t that what family is all about?  

There's a comfort; there's a healing.  High above the pain and sorrow. 

Change is coming.  Can you feel it?  Calling us into a new tomorrow.

Darrin is, thankfully, still employed by AT&T. Over the Summer and into the Fall, Darrin took a few classes that were offered through the company. On his spare warm days off, Darrin manages to find time to sneak off to the driving range or he arranges outings with his golf buddies (whose numbers seem to be growing as the boys get older).



Bachelorette party fun.

My year: During the afternoon of January 12th, I received a breaking news alert email from CNN stating that a 7.0 earthquake had just struck Haiti. My best friend, Janice, and her fiancé, James, just happened to be in Gramothe, a town outside of Port Au Prince on a medical missions trip. We spent the next few days keeping in touch with the team’s contact person, Janice’s mom, friends, co-workers, the media and Congressional leaders to get the entire team home. Thank God for email, cell phones and 24-hour news channels! On January 16th, the girls and I had the privilege to welcome the team home in a private hangar at Midway Airport. Less than two months later, those same family, friends and co-workers who were part of that communications tree, joined together on a sunny March morning to witness the marriage of Janice & James. * At the end of Summer, I received a promotion at work and became the office manager at the firm. The past three months have been filled with lots of learning and challenges that have kept me on my toes and have given me a new appreciation for numbers and basic math. * Between the girls’ graduations, hosting the open house and the adjustments at work, I was only able to train for and run in the Chicago Half Marathon this past September with my good friend Jennifer. The race course was basically along South Lake Shore Drive, which was amazing in itself. It was also one of the hottest days of the years, which provided it’s own difficulties. Runners were falling like flies. Jen and I continued on. I’m grateful to have a friend that shares my love for running and motivates me to run strong and finish the course.

When the walls fall all around you   When your hope has turned to dust. 

Let the sound of love surround you  Beat like a heart in each of us.



And I remember ... the beauty that you can sometimes miss in the every day moments of

Jennifer & I: another finish line crossed

life; early morning prayers with a friend; the joy of freshly brewed coffee at 5:30 a.m.; dreaming of Paris mornings and Dublin nights; supportive friends who are willing to listen and let me cry; cheese from Pastoral; honeysuckle and fuller hydrangeas; the community of runners & walkers that greet me during my weekend runs at Marquette Park; the wisdom of older women; an autumn wedding and garden reception; watching Alexandra participate in her sporting events; reconnecting with old friends; running the Shamrock Shuffle as a family; seeing the city from Jackson Park on a Sunday morning; the passing away of dear old friends;  hugs from the 4's & 5's on Sundays; answers to prayer; lunches with friends at Elephant & Castle; lunchtime runs along the lake on hot Summer days; hearing a voice that’s still whispering; a very cold 5k race in November that left me chocolate-less; the ability to fill my lungs with air to breathe and muscles that continue to propel this still 40-something body; and just how good God is.

Won't you stand up?  Stand up.  Stand up.  Won't you stand up you girls and boys?

2011. May the new year bring you much love and peace. We pray that during this holiday season, you will be reminded of the blessings and gifts that money cannot buy.  “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”  

Won't you stand up? Stand up. Stand up. Won't you stand up and use your voice?"
“Stand Up” by Sugarland