Memorial Day '08

We've marched every year in the McKinley Park Memorial Day Parade since the girls were babies. It's a family tradition. McKinley Park is the neighborhood on the southwest side that we used to live in before we moved and bought our house in West Lawn. It's the 'hood where Darrin grew up and where his parents still live. It was a very sunny and warm morning and according to the VFW Post, they had the biggest turnout in the parade history.

I am proud to say that members of my family and close friends have honorably served our country through the military. My birth father, stepdad Larry and Uncle John all were members of the Army and served during Vietnam. My brother-in-law Larry was a Marine and also did a tour of Vietnam. Darrin's brother David spent time overseas with the Army in the late 80's. My cousin's husband, Ryan, was among the first National Guard members to patrol Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Regardless of where you stand politically, we all need to remember the sacrifices of the fallen men and women from the Revoluntionary War to the present who have died.










"The bugle has sounded
Its notes drift away, this time now belongs to you ...

On this day for one brief moment hear the silence fill the air.

Think of those who walked beside us; Now no longer there.

Then, don't cry, but hear their laughter for their spirit lives inside,
Let the mysic stream of mem'ry fill our hearts with pride!

Make us humble, make us knowing, and reflect on what is done ...

One this day for now, forever
Make this nation one!

On this day, fall all the fallen, make this nation one!"

"On This Day" by: Charles Strouse

"Faces of Women": Caitlyn's 16th Birthday Fashion Show (Part 2)

Darrin had to change out the batteries in the camera, so here's the second part of the show.

"Faces of Women" Caitlyn's 16th Birthday Fashion Show (Part 1)

Caitlyn had talked about doing a fashion runway show for her 16th birthday for a long time. She was able to pull it off with the help of her friends. Details to come ...

Sweet 16

Caitlyn entered the world on a sunny Saturday at 11:38 a.m. 16 years ago today and she changed my life. It's hard to believe that so much time has past since the changing of diapers and here we are now ... edging closer to college. We are so proud of the young woman that she has become.

... mark, get set, Go!

It's too late for me to up on a week night, but my "to do list" for Caitlyn's sweet 16 birthday party is not getting any shorter. I'm multi-tasking at the moment (cleaning up memory cards, uploading photos to Flickr, watching Top Chef and blogging).

We spent last Saturday cheering on Alex at her track and field meet. She did very well, taking first place in the 5th & 6th grade girls 400 meter and 50 meter, as well as placing in the softball throw, running jump and girls' relay.

While at the meet, I had a flashback to the day I raced Monique T. in 9th grade at the Marquette Park track during a youth activity. I remember running as fast as I could and barely being able to catch my breath. I had to beat her because the boy I liked really liked her and, well, you know how those things go. We were neck and neck for most of the race, but I somehow managed to pull ahead at the end. My racing days are long over and I now look forward to running a 5K with Alex this Summer.

Tools of the trade.

Alex holding all of her ribbons.

Free Burma: But Help Myanmar Now!

It is being reported that 22,000 people have died in Myanmar as a result of Cyclone Nargis. The death toll can top over 100,000. CNN is reporting this morning that corpses are piling up because there is not enough fuel to burn the bodies. There is insufficient clean drinking water and food. You want to know why?

The country is under the rule of a military junta (bad people), which is not official recognized by the U.S. and other nations. Aung San Suu Kyi (good), the Nobel Prize winning pro-democracy leader of the Burmese people has been under house arrest since 1990. Last September, monks attempted to lead an uprising, but their efforts were met with brutal force by the military junta. The free flow of news is limited in the country. The military junta has been dragging its feet in granting visas for aid groups and giving clearance for aid flights to land.

Here's a link to an article on CNN updating the current situation: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/05/08/myanmar/index.html

World Vision is a Christian relief organization that helps people worldwide. They have been providing aid to the country of Burma/Myanmar for 40 years. World Vision currently has 500 aid workers stationed in Myanmar. Surprisingly, according to CNN, the junta has specifically asked World Vision to help provide aid to the survivors of the cyclone. They are in the right place at the right time. I encourage you to click on the title above which is a link to World Vision's website and if at all possible, please give to help the people of Myanmar.

Sights, Sounds, Smells & Calculations

It is a glorious, Spring morning ... if you have the pleasure to be marooned at home on this rainy, first-Friday of May. As I walked up to the 'el station, the air smelled just like it did when I walked through St. Stephens Green last autumn. A certain freshness that envelops your senses and makes you feel more alive, even on a cloudy, gray day.

I am almost at the seven month post-Ireland mark; which, in reality, should probably be defined as "five months to the one year anniversay of our trip to Ireland." I know, I'm a little OCD on these type of things.

The peonies in my garden are growing by leaps and bounds. I placed the ring supports around them last night because they're shooting up rapidly. My Japanese peony will be yielding blooms just in time for Caitlyn's 16th birthday.

Sounds that I like to hear:

• George Harrison's slide guitar towards the end of the song "What is Life";
• a groggy "I'm up" when I call up to Alex on a school morning;
• laughter among friends;
• the good news of babies being born to friends;
• joining along with a few thousand friends singing Psalm 40 ...
  
  
  

What sounds do you like to hear?

"... another beautiful name."

Today I met British chef Gordon Ramsay at Macy's during a promotional appearance for his new book, "Gordon Ramsay's Fast Food". Ramsay's BBC show "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares" is one of the few shows that Darrin and I will sit down and watch together. (Ramsay seemed to get a kick out of hearing that tidbit). My friend Sandra and I made our way through a one hour long que for the book signing, but it was worth it. He was extremely pleasant, charming and chatted with everyone. When Ramsay saw my name on the Post-it for the inscription on the book, he commented, "another beautiful name" in that British accent of his. I babbled on about how it was a pleasure to meet him (hoping in the back of my mind that my words were making sense)and then I shook his hand. Sandra and I said good-bye and then it was over. We stood by the side and giggled like a bunch of school girls. We headed back to the office clutching our new cook book and savoring the moment.


Chef Gordon Ramsay



Sandra couldn't wipe that smile off of her face.


Gordon and I in deep conversation ... too bad I spaced our and forgot to mention that my name was spelled in the Welsh tradition. He's a runner, too!

Earth Day '08: What Can You Do?

A few simple ideas:

• you can begin recycling paper, plastic and/or glass (start with one);
• switch to CFL lightbulbs;
• turn off lights when you leave a room; or instead of using plastic bags at the grocery store, buy some reusable canvas bags (lots of stores are offering them).

My conservation goal for this Summer is to start a compost bin in my backyard. It'll eventually produce rich nutrients for my garden.

Let's all take good care of God's creation ... the earth and people, too.

My best friend, now an international speaker on pediatric oncology, is a tree hugger, too! Here, she's huggin' a tree in St. Stephen's Green, Dublin, Ireland.

Oprah's Big Give Features Chicago Hope Academy

My daughter, Caitlyn, attends Chicago Hope Academy (http://chicagohopeacademy.com), which is a three-year old Christian high school located on the near west side of Chicago. The founders of the school, Bob & Tina Muzikowski, used to attend our church and had a desire to open a Christian high school in the city for many years. They organized the Near West Side Little League, which grew to be one of the largest little league organizations in the country -- reaching out to kids in the inner city who desperately need avenues like sports to keep them off the streets. It has been amazing to see how God answered prayers by opening the doors to CHA in the fall of 2005. What has been accomplished in these three years has been nothing short of miraculous. Yes, there have been bumps in the road, but God is faithful and He continues to amaze.

Chicago Hope Academy will be featured on this Sunday's season finale of Oprah's "Big Give" on ABC (7:00 p.m. CDT). I'm asking everyone to watch and, more importantly, to pray for CHA and the lives of the young men and women that the school is able to touch in the name of Christ.

Go Eagles!

The Week in Review (So Far)

Well, what a week it was! The city was invaded by a roaming cougar that found his way into Roscoe Village. He met his untimely death at the hands of Chicago's finest. (Photo: courtesy of the Chicago Tribune).

Temperatures finally reached the 70 degree mark and we can now see the layers of Winter grime slowly beginning to fade.

Finally, a 5.2 earthquake centered in downstate Illinois shook people awake up here in Chicago this morning. My mother-in-law told me that she thought it was an airplane rocking the house. I was in a deep sleep, apparently, because I didn't feel a thing. I woke up 45 minutes after the fact and felt very cheated and left out. Ironically, we had a meeting scheduled for the safety evacuation team at work today.

Springtime in Chicago

A tree lifting up its arms in praise of sky blue skies.


The first flowers to bloom in my garden (paperwhites).


Sedum peeking out from underneath the remants of last year's growth.

It was a beautiful day!

40 Years Ago Today ... "Shot rings out in the Memphis Sky"

My First Run in Eight Months

Since coming back to the gym in January, I have faithfully stuck to the elliptical machines. I had wanted to start running in January, but my surgeon told me to continue working on strengthening my left quadricep muscle before I even thought about running. In the back of my mind I knew I wasn't ready, but I did know that I had to get serious about conditioning myself.

Lunchtime yoga on Wednesdays has been a regular part of my post-surgical routine since November. Nathan, my yoga instructor, has told me recently that he has noticed much improvement in my poses, which made me very happy. The women of my family are plagued by tight hips; so, obviously, this plays into our knee and feet problems.

Back to the what I was getting around to say ... I have worked up to a consistent 30 minute cardio cycle on the elliptical machine (2 miles) during the past month. Each day I'm at the gym, I watch in envy as the runners do their thing on the treadmills. I would tell myself that I'd give it a try next week.

This past weekend was the Shamrock Shuffle 8K race -- a race that I have run in for the past 6 years, but I could not run. I wanted to, but could not train. I was not ready physically. My quad was not ready. My knee was not ready. My mind was not ready. My heart was not ready ... or was it?

Since Nathan spent last week hiking throughout Arizona, yesterday's class was spent practicing Warrior II and desert poses. It was a tough class and I woke up this morning feeling the effects of it. I fought with myself to even go to the gym at lunchtime today, but I did go. I decided that this would be the day. I would put aside my fear and just try to run on a treadmill.

I did a 16 minute warm-up on an elliptical machine and then self-assuredly walked over to an open treadmill. It was a newer, gadget-filled treadmill. I put my feet on the tracks to the side and hit "quick start" and off we went. For the first three minutes, I felt awful. I mean, I felt sick because I wasn't sure what to expect ... was my left knee going to explode? Once I got past the five minute mark, I got my breathing into a decent rhythm and calmed myself down. My iPod was cranking "I Will Follow" and everything was coming back to me. I remembered what it felt like and this felt good.

I ran for 14 minutes between 4.5 and 5.0 mph and cooled down for another three minutes. I ran my first mile today in 12:20. I am ready.

Let's Play Two!

Today kicks off the baseball season for our beloved Chicago Cubs and White Sox. The Cubs have a 1:20 p.m. start against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley, but with dropping temperatures (we're around 41 right now), fog and rain in the mix, I'd be surprised if they're even able to make it to the 3rd inning. The White Sox will be facing the Cleveland Indians on the road this afternoon with Mark Buehrle taking the mound.

On a side note, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Chicago Sun-Times had published a little piece that I wrote in today's edition of their "Talk Back" section.

Warped Priorities:
I was appalled to read in Sneed's column on Thursday how Gov. Blagojevich issued his "help me on this" plea to local politicos in his eager attempt to help the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority buy Wrigley Field. What is he doing about the ever-escalating cost of college
education in the state of Illinois? Perhaps he should ask the state legislature to help him on doing something to put a lid on the costs of pursuing an education at the public universities in our state.

Earth Hour: Chicago 2008

At 8:00 p.m., we turned off our lights for one hour. "Earth Hour" was created by the World Wildlife Fund last year in Sidney, Australia (learn more by visiting http://www12.earthhourus.org. According to ComEd, there was a 5% reduction in electric usage in Chicago between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. tonight. It's a start. Be a good stewart of the earth God created.

Worthy is the Lamb

Easter morning worship in Chicago.

"The shackles are undone

The bullets quit the gun

The heat that’s in the sun

Will keep us when there’s none

The rule has been disproved

The stone it has been moved

The grave is now a groove

All debts are removed

Oh can’t you see what love has done?

Oh can’t you see what love has done?

Oh can’t you see what love has done?

What it’s done to me?"

Window in the Skies by: U2

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.

The inside of St. Patrick's Cathedral (Árd Eaglais Naomh Pádraig). It is the largest church in Ireland, founded in 1191. Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travel's was the dean of this cathederal from 1713 to 1745.

This stone was uncovered below the surface of the traditional site of St. Patrick's Well. Tradition holds that the first converts to Christianity were baptized by St. Patrick there.

Go mbeannaí Dia duit -- May God bless you!

All photos taken in October, 2007 in Dublin, Ireland by Meridith ©

Poulnabrone Dolmen

Picture taken 10/10/07 in County Clare, Ireland by Meridith©

This portal tomb is one of two located in The Burren in Western Ireland. These large stone tombs were built throughout Western Europe during the Neolithic or New Stone Age when the practice of farming was first becoming established.

A New Guitar

"Three cords and the truth."






I think she liked her surprise.

Girl's Best Friend

We have finally reached the end of February. This Winter has been a long, cold & snowy one. I've been sick for most of this month, but I'm hopeful that the first peeks of crocus popping up and the potential of 40 degree plus weather this weekend with rid my body of what ails me.

Despite the congestion and on-and-off cough throughout this month, I managed to keep up with yoga class on Wednesdays, but I ditched the gym up until yesterday. I figured it was time to get back into a schedule; so, I did 20 minutes on the elliptical machine and called it a day.

We had Brody neutered two weeks ago. He still acts crazy ... and he loves the snow.

"I'll see you again when the stars fall from the sky and ...

the moon has turned red over One Tree Hill." One Tree Hill By: U2

My attempt to capture the lunar eclipse in February with my digital Minolta set up on a tripod in our frozen backyard in a star-filled, Winter sky. It was intensely cold, but beautiful to behold.

Seeking God

Our church is doing a 40-day prayer focus leading up to Easter entitled "Seek God for the City 2008." Today's passage just happened to be "Seeking God ... to rescue people enslaved in spiritual darkness." I thought that this picture captured today's theme perfectly ... it's framed in complete darkness, but the light brings forth the hope that is to come.

"And I will appoint you as ... a light to the nations, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon and those who dwell in darkness from the prison." Isaiah 42:6-7

"Jesus said to them, 'For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you.'" John 12:35

Walk on.

Stained glass window panel; picture taken at Christ Church Cathedral, in Dublin, Ireland, October, 2007 ©

Happy Valentine's Day

PICT0047, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

Irish Hydrangea from County Cork. I took this picture while strolling the grounds of Blarney Castle in October, 2007.


"... the greatest of these is love." I Cor. 13:13

Last Weekend ... in 3D

I've been battling a cold for the past two weeks; so, that is my defense for the lag in my posts. I did muster enough energy to make it to down to Navy Pier last weekend to see U2 3D with Janice. It was an amazing way to see the band perform ... would've been so much better if the crowd was more into it, but very cool nonetheless. At one point, it seemed like I was going to get hit upside the head by Adam's bass guitar during one song. I also liked the over-head angle they shot Larry playing drums because it gave you a very different perspective that you don't get to see in regular concert DVD's. Two thumbs up!

I also ended up taking my daughters to see the Hannah Montana 3D movie (because I promised). Caitlyn & Alex are really more fans of the Jonas Brothers, but they seemed to like the whole concert ... Miley Cyrus and all.

Back to this weekend ... we were with Alex down in Crete today while she was cheering at a basketball tournament for the boys' basketball team. (Bruins won 1st place!) Caitlyn is working her first real job this weekend at one of the concession stands at the auto show. Winter refuses to cut us some slack. The high temperature tomorrow is supposed to be 4 degrees with windchills -20 degrees. I'm ready for a little sun ... and a good night's sleep.

"Where you live should not decide whether you live or whether you die ..."

We survived a weekend of below zero wind chills and the AFC and NFC Championship games. Although we were rooting for the Packers to win, we will gladly cheer on the Giants against the Patriots when Super Bowl Sunday rolls around in two weeks.

I actually made a real sit-down meal after church yesterday: baked lasagna, salad and garlic bread. Janice came over to catch up and share some stories from her recent medical missions trip to Haiti.

Last week, I discovered the show Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares on BBC America. I love it! Basically, award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay goes to a failing restaurant and works as a troubleshooter there for a week with the staff in an effort to turn things around. It is not pretty because he calls it like he sees it. If the head chef is lazy, he's not afraid to say it to his or her face. He gives them ideas to change their menus. Ramsay makes a return visit to each restaurant a few months down the road to see how they have fared with the changes. He drops a lot of F-bombs, but they are beeped out. It's very British and great to watch.

Goals for this week: elimination of migraine triggers, make it to the gym three times this week (plus yoga class)

Til Tuesday

The view southbound on Inner Lake Shore Drive, taken on a CTA bus, Jan. 8, 2008, 1:30 p.m.

I'm sitting at work listening to the end of "Creep" by Radiohead and watching the rain fall over the CNA building and the Field Museum. I just read on the Chicago Tribune website that another 15-year-old was shot and killed in Logan Square last night. Does it ever end? Violence continues to perpetuate around the world. God's heart does ache.

1:15 p.m. I leave my orthopedic surgeon's office for what will probably be the last time. There remains a 2 cm. difference between my left and right quadricep muscles. Dr. G is glad to hear that I'm back at the gym and laughed at my holiday excuses because he did the same. He encouraged me to keep working on strengthening the quads and to hold on running until I notice some definite improvement. I'm to follow-up with him in six months if I'm having any problems with the knee at that time. It has been a little over four months since surgery. It seems like I lost a huge chunk of time from July 27th (the day of the final, fateful run) up through physical therapy, but that is now all in the past and I'm ready to make another go at it.

On the way back downtown, I saw a camel while riding the No. 151 bus through Lincoln Park.

"I'm here to make you happy."

It's the 7th day of January and it is officially 60 degrees in Chicago at 9:48 a.m. It may be odd, but I won't complain -- grey street grime and all. As I walked in this morning, I was blown away by the view of the lake front from my office's reception area. It reminded me of that scene from Forrest Gump where Forrest and Capt. Dan are out on the boat in the Bayou during sunset (where Capt. Dan thanks Forrest for saving his life in Vietnam). Lake Michigan was calm and still and framed by pinks and muddled blues.

Today will be my first official day back at the gym (I tagged a membership onto Darrin's Bally's membership). My goal: 10-15 minute warm up on the elliptical machine and then weight training. I'm putting running off until I notice some definite strength improvement in the quads. Wednesday is yoga and I'll repeat again on Friday. Baby steps ...

U23D

Looking Back 2007

2007, December. The days are getting shorter and the nights colder, while flannel sheets now grace our beds. Autumn came and went without any effort to get the garden ready for next Spring. Lots of our plans were put off ... not purposefully, but, sometimes, life just happens and we still can find the beauty in the remainder of the day.

"The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty. Let all the earth rejoice, All the earth rejoice.
He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide and trembles at His voice, trembles at His voice."

The year was filled with the usual day-to-day activities and a few unexpected events. Caitlyn completed her freshman year of high school at Chicago Hope Academy – go Eagles! She’s now firmly entrenched in her sophomore year, with classes including chemistry, Spanish II and world history. Caitlyn made the volleyball team again and is working hard being a Student Ambassador. In July, she had an incredible opportunity through school to spend a week working in Ensenada, Mexico by helping to assemble pre-fabricated homes for some very needy families. The project was part of the Arial Home Initiative, in conjunction with Youth With a Mission. (Here’s a link to pictures and info on the build: http://www.arialhome.org/Past%20Builds.htm;
click on the July 26-26, 2007 link).

Alexandra is now a 6th grader and in the junior high youth group. She participated in each and every sport offered during the school year and has just begun practice for the upcoming basketball and cheerleading season at St. Andrew. Her new passion is skateboarding and before it turned cold, she spent a lot of time in the backyard practicing "ollies" and "pop shove it" off the ramp that Darrin built for her. Alex took 2nd place in the storytelling division of the Chicago Area Lutheran Association’s annual forensic competition in November during her performance of "The Three Silly Billies".

In June, we spent a week out in California visiting Darrin’s sister Dawn and her husband, Larry. We spent a day up at Zuma Beach in Malibu. While the girls and I were out in the surf, Darrin relaxed under the partial cover of an umbrella, but he still managed to get a second-degree sun burn on his ankles. We finally made it down to Orange County to visit Knott’s Berry Farm. The girls got a kick when just the three of us took a drive up through the Hollywood Hills, Brentwood, Beverly Hills and down Rodeo Drive. We wrapped up the week with a trek down to Huntington Beach with Dawn & Larry where we staked out a fire pit near the ocean, swam, ate, made smores and relaxed. The sunset was breathtaking and we were able to watch porpoises feed in the water about 150 feet out.

In September, Darrin and Alex fulfilled their dream of owning a dog by brining home a Maltese puppy which we named "Brody". Lottie is slowly warming up to the new addition to the family. Sometimes it feels like our house is a zoo with everyone running up and down, in and out and away and after each other.

I started noticing pain in my left knee late last year, which I thought was just runner’s knee. I was able to run the Shamrock Shuffle 8K with Darrin and Caitlyn in March, but took two long breaks up through July. During my last attempt to run in July, I made it only three steps before I felt a horrible, ripping-type pain shoot down my leg. An MRI confirmed it was a lateral tear of the left medial meniscus. So, on a Friday in late August, I underwent an arthroscopic surgical repair on my knee. My orthopedic surgeon (the best ever), discovered I also had the start of a tear on the anterior meniscus as well. Darrin, Janice and the girls took exceptional care of me at home and I was able to return to work (with crutches) the following Thursday. I only had six weeks to recuperate from the time of my surgery to the day Janice and I were scheduled to leave for Ireland; so, after a few weeks of physical therapy, I was physically ready to make the journey with Janice to the Emerald Isle to celebrate her 40th birthday.

IRELAND. I’m still thinking about the sights, sounds, people, places ... it was magical, it was beautiful, it was exhausting, it was adventurous. We started in Dublin, staying at The Clarence (Bono’s hotel) across from the River Liffey and near the Temple Bar area for two nights. Lots of walking down Grafton Street, a tour of Trinity College, a viewing of the Book of Kells, took in an evening song service at Christchurch Cathedral and a tour of St. Patrick’s. * A three hour train ride took us to Galway on the west coast. We took a tour of The Burren in County Clare (home of megalithic tombs and portal dolmens) and the Cliffs of Moher (breathtakingly beautiful). The King of Belgium just happened to be on an official state visit and stopped by the Cliffs while we were there. Every county that we visited was different (especially dialects). * Cork had a different feel; a bit edgier than Galway, but very urban. We found our way to Blarney Castle and made the trek up to the top to kiss the Blarney Stone. The view of the estate from the top was worth it, especially with all of the trees in their autumn splendor. * Another long bus ride took us back east, down to Waterford, where we did the Waterford Crystal factor tour. You really get to appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into each piece. Janice and I had to make an Amazing Race-type dash to catch a train back up to Dublin for our final two days. * Back in Dublin, we did more shopping, toured the Guinness Brewery and walked around O’Connell Street. We cheered along with visiting Brits while watching the English beat the French in World Cup Rugby during dinner one night. * Ireland is so rich in history. A history that is worth learning about. Our guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol (jail) left me speechless. You can read about the 1916 Easter Rising to get started. This trip made me appreciate refills on coffee, ice, the 16 oz. beverage size, good signage and transit maps that actually show you which direction you’re heading to. * I’ve posted all of my digital pictures on flickr, which you can view at your leisure at: http://flickr.com/photos/9968241@N04/sets/72157603498499246/.

"Age to age He stands and time is in His hands, Beginning and the end, beginning and the end. The Godhead Three in One, Father Spirit Son, the Lion and the Lamb,
the Lion and the Lamb."

And I remember ... the beauty of freshly fallen snow; early morning prayers with a friend; the joy of freshly brewed coffee at 5:30 a.m.; walking through St. Stephen’s Green; Evening Song in Christ Church Cathedral; Dublin mornings; parents who pray; yearning to run when I couldn’t; a better year of growing hydrangeas; the Danes vs. the Brits at Oliver St. John Gogarty and the "With or Without You" sing-a-long; Looptopia; catching the girls’ sporting events; the climb to the top of Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone; hearing Stewart Copeland’s familiar drumming as The Police finally took the stage at Wrigley Field; watching a sea lion in the water off Zuma Beach in Malibu; body surfing with Alexandra in the Pacific; running with Caitlyn during her first race; the beauty of the Cliffs of Moher and the roar of the Atlantic Ocean below; watching Alexandra chase Brody around the backyard; the noise from the MRI; celebrating the first of the "40th" birthdays of friends; hugs from the 4's & 5's on Sundays; expanding my garden in the patio; the porpoises of Huntington Beach; cicadas; lunchtime spent in the Lurie Garden at Millennium Park; getting the news that Chicago has a chance to host the 2016 Olympics; fish & chips at McDonough’s in Galway; the excitement and letdown of the Chicago Bears; catching up with old friends during our mini 20th high school reunion get together; walking through the damp and dark cells in Kilmainhim Goel; being wheeled into a cold room and feeling the burn of the anesthesia in the IV; hearing a voice that’s still whispering; the stillness of the Burren; the ability to fill my lungs with air to breathe and muscles that continue to propel this still 30-something body; and just how good God is.
"Name above all names, Worthy of our praise, My heart will sing How great is our God."

2008. 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." Thank you for being a part of our lives.

"How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God, and all will see how great, how great is our God."
"How Great is our God " by Chris Tomlin

These are Days

PICT0011, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

West coast of Ireland, near The Burren.

I'm Thankful For ...

... so much. My Bo, the girls, my family ... the gift of sight, the pleasure of taste ... gifted doctors and modern medicine ... pets to care for, mouths to feed ... friends that pray, a God that hears ... .

May your Thanksgiving Day celebration be filled with all the people that you hold dear.

"Snail" shot at the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland, October, 2007

Marathon Weekend

This Sunday will be the final running of "The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon". Bank of America has just completed its take-over of LaSalle Bank; so, next year there will be a name change for this premier event.

There's nothing like standing on the sidelines cheering on all of the runners. We used to stake out a spot near U.S. Cellular Field -- around mile 19 -- and watch the elite runners (including Catherine Ndereba, Khalid Khannouchi and Paul Tergat) go by first. I'd shout out "Jambo!" as the Kenyans and their rabbits flew by.

There is such an incredible feeling of excitement and energy as all of the runners pass by. You get a chill from seeing the Team in Training and World Vision runners who are running to raise money for cancer research or to help African families and children affected by HIV/AIDS. The rest of the field is made up of different men and women from all walks of life ... young and old, first time marathoners and 10-year veterans trying to set a new PR ... middle-aged women with their names written on their t-shirts who smile brightly and pump their hand up in the air when you shout out their name for encouragement... men wearing pink t-shirts declaring that they are running in memory of a loved one ... bodies with less than 20% body fat to Clydesdale runners. They all pound the flat, fast pavement snaking through Chicago's vibrant neighborhoods -- each destined to reach their goal to justify the months of training.

At lunch today, there were lots of people walking back from the marathon expo with their race packets slung across their shoulders. The sun was shining brightly and there was a definite feeling of hype in the October sky.

I wish I could run. I have a few months to go before I'll feel comfortable enough to get back out there. My knee is continuing to heal and I'm grateful that I finally got it taken care of. I'm placing my sights on running in next Spring's LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K ... wait, I mean the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle.

So, to Barbara P., Michelle S. and the 40,000 other runners who will line up Sunday morning ... run strong!

Hebrews 12:1 "... let us run with endurance the race that is set before us ..."

Two Days

Janice and I will be flying to Ireland to celebrate her 40th birthday in two short days. After physical therapy tonight, there'll be some last minute shopping and then one last day of work. This will be my first trip to Europe ... I'm so excited!

Bits & pieces from the last month:

• began physical therapy three weeks ago and it has helped to strengthen my leg; my surgeon gave me the green light for the trip and asked me to bring him back a picture of my knee on the Blarney Stone;
• inched closer to 40 myself by turning 38 on September 5th; Darrin and the girls gave me an iPod because he was embarrassed to see me with my portable CD player;
• Dawn & Larry left California and moved back home to Chicago;
• the girls are in the midst of volleball season and doing well in school; and
• the garden is winding down; the sedum and pansies are the last bits of color; had lots cucumbers and there are a few tomatoes left on the vine.

I'm determined to be more regular in my posts. Expect lots of pics from the trip.

Introducing the Newest Member of Our Family ...

Brody the Maltese

Alexandra's long wish has come true!

"They say it's your birthday ... "

Today is the beginning of my 38th year of life. I survived the surgery and the awful affects of anesthesia. The knee is getting stronger and the limp is slowly disappearing. I'm so thankful for family and friends, cookie and flower bouquets, my beautiful daughters, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers from my garden and answers to prayer. "It is well with my soul."

IT'S GOOD TO BE ALIVE! (Compliments to Mr. Lin Brehemer)