And I Remember ...



Blizzard of February, 2011



 2011. December. A week of intense work deadlines and everyday life had left me spent and empty. All it took was Sarah McLachlan and the Barenaked Ladies singing their version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" to cause me to tear up and let it go. It’s usually when we think we’re doing our very best to keep up our fake facade that those cracks begin to slowly show up. You only see them when you look close enough and life is hard enough already. It’s good to let it go and exhale. Rest. Remember. Worship. That is what the song is calling us to do.

“God rest ye merry gentlemen; Let nothing you dismay.

Remember Christ our Savior was born upon this day.

To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray.

O tidings of comfort and joy.

Comfort and joy.

O tidings of comfort and joy.

Caitlyn gave birth to a little boy on February 25th. Taj arrived a little early due to a few medical complications; but, he is healthy, growing and a beautiful addition to our family. His two bottom teeth finally came in and he is busy standing up with the aid of furniture, trying to bypass crawling altogether. I enjoy watching “Little Einsteins” with Taj because he enjoys the music and I like the art. On Christmas Day, Taj will be 10-months-old. He makes us laugh and has given us new names, “Nana” and “Papa.”

From God our Heavenly Father, this blessed angel came;

and unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same.

How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name.

O tidings of comfort and joy ...

Let's go, Alex; let's go Hope!

Caitlyn and Alexandra are busy with their respective schools. Caitlyn continues her pursuit of her chemistry degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She added a French class this past semester, which was fun for me to talk to her about. Darrin and I are very proud of how hard she has worked to balance her school work and motherhood. Alexandra is now a high school sophomore at Chicago Hope Academy. She joined the volleyball and indoor soccer team this fall; but, basketball remains her favorite sport. During the Summer, Alex spent four weeks up at Honey Rock Camp in Wisconsin. She was able to kayak with her friends on Lake Superior. In November, family and friends helped us celebrate Alex’s 16th birthday with a Sweet 16 party at Palermo’s.

Alex (3rd from left) and her Honey Rock friends

O star of wonder star of night,

Star with royal beauty bright.

Westward leading still proceeding;

Guide us to thy perfect light.

Papa and Taj

Darrin continues to work at AT&T, but things are getting tough. Their union contract with the company is up next year; so, the union is telling everyone to prepare for the worst. Darrin’s joy and release comes from playing golf. Two of his friends, Kevin and Jay, are always willing to join him out at an indoor driving range in the colder months or at a park district course in the warmer weather. I was able to finally convince Darrin to sign up and train for two long-distance races, which we completed this past year: the Soldier Field 10 Mile, which we ran together on Memorial Day weekend and the 13.1 Chicago in June (his first half marathon). The 13.1 Chicago race was actually black-flagged due to weather conditions, but we were able to still make it across the finish line and receive our medals.

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain.

Gold I bring to crown Him again.

King for ever ceasing never;

Over us all to reign.

Foster the People

O star of wonder, star of night ...



U2
(I get my music appreciation from my mom).





Sir Paul McCartney



Bright Eyes



Jonny Buckland and Chris Martin of Coldplay



My year has been full of learning my new job responsibilities, training for two half marathons and lots of concerts (the music and running keep me sane). I probably attended more concerts this year than ever before. Arcade Fire and The National in April; Sugarland and Little Big Town in May (let’s say I accompanied the family because many know I’m not a country girl); the Go-Go’s in June down in Florida (Taj’s first concert); U2 and Interpol in July; Def Leppard and Heart; Paul McCartney at Wrigley Field in August; and I finally attended my first Lollapalooza, with headliner Coldplay on an incredibly hot Summer night at Butler Field surrounded by thousands. 

The second half marathon that I ran this Summer was the Chicago Half Marathon on September 11th. It was a special day as our country marked the 10-year anniversary of the

9-11 tragedy. A restored fire truck from New York was the lead vehicle for the race. I had purposed in my heart back at the start of my training that I'd run to honor the memory of the 2,977 people that were killed. It was a beautiful day for a run and we all stood together to remind the world that we will never forget. We ran strong in tribute to our fallen.

Glorious now behold Him arise.

Jennifer K. (left), me and Mark at the start of the Chicago Half

King and God and Sacrifice.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Worship Him God most high.

Todd, me, Aunt Mickey and Uncle Bill

And I remember ... seeing my grandson for the first time; early morning prayers with a friend; the joy of freshly brewed coffee at 5:30 a.m.; still dreaming of Paris mornings and Dublin nights; Win Butler & company jumping right into “Ready to Start” with such raw, pure energy at the beginning of the set and then sliding right into “Keep the Car Running”; Wednesday night yoga; watching Taj roll over; cheese from Pastoral; honeysuckle growing wild and fuller hydrangeas; the community of runners and walkers that greet me during my weekend runs at Marquette Park; The Wizarding World of Harry Potter; the wisdom of older women; high-fives; singing along with Ann Wilson to all the songs that I grew up listening to on WLS; the hot sand of Cocoa Beach; a Winter wedding; watching Alexandra participate in her sporting events; hanging with my cousins in October; hearing of cancer diagnoses, but knowing my friends are winning the battle; chowder in Boston; apple picking; Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire; witnessing one of my bosses find love and marry at 65; Friday night lights on the West Side - Chicago style; pushing myself to a point physically in weather conditions that I began to wonder if I had truly gone over the edge; seeing the city from Jackson Park on a Sunday morning; pushing myself to forgive; hugs from the 4's and 5's on Sundays; singing along with everyone to “Hey Jude” and dancing in the aisle when the old guy told me to sit down; answers to prayer; burgers at Sweetwater; lunchtime runs along the lake on hot Summer days; hearing a voice that’s still whispering; completing the 26.2 Windy City Challenge; watching and hearing the boys from Ireland perform an impromptu and rare version of “One Tree Hill”; 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.

"With or Without You" U2360 Soldier Field
July 5, 2011

O star of wonder star of night;

Star with royal beauty bright.

Westward leading still proceeding ...

Taj napping in my garden

2012. 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.”

Guide us to thy perfect light."

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” Old English Carol



Aunt Mickey and I atop Pack Monadnock





Layne and Caitlyn





Alex, Judi, Sandy, Taj and Caitlyn

 

Canning-Nevills-Corona-Osborn Family



Looking Back ... 10 Years Later



Looking toward lower Manhattan from Liberty Island in August, 2004.


Some days, it seems as if it happened yesterday ... my recollection of that day can be way too clear at times. It was a beautiful, sunny, Tuesday morning walk down Leavitt to the 'el station at 35th & Archer. I walked on the right side of the street. At that point, it seemed like a typical work-day morning on the train. I was happy because I was actually going to be early getting to the office. Since the back door to our office was broken, I had to enter through the side front and cut-thru the file room, somehow finding myself passing our main conference room with all of the attorneys circling around a fuzzy TV picture. I asked what was going on and someone said something about "some type of air plane crash ... some type of possible terrorist action."  I rushed back to my desk where the lady next to me had one of those mini-TV's on. I saw the smoke rising from the Twin Towers ... ABC News was on and I picked up the phone and called my mom right away.  "Mom, something terrible has happened in NY ... call Aunt Mickey."  (We have family that lives in NY -- Long Island). It was impossible to get on the Internet.  Everything was jammed and it's impossible to pick up AM radio stations downtown. We heard rumors that there were missing planes ... that a plane was headed towards the Sears Tower ... then a plane crashed into the Pentagon ... next, all the planes were ordered down to land at nearby airports. It was so surreal -- everyone was trying to pickup whatever info we could from whatever sources were available.  There were lots of phone calls to family, friends, coworkers we knew in other places.

To say that we were in shock as we watched the first tower fall was, well, an understatement. I mean, I just couldn't believe it. It was a horrific site --- just knowing that there were people trapped and then to see them killed in that manner. I cried ... a lot of us cried. Our building was ordered to evacuate.  The entire Loop was shut down. We were on the top floor at LaSalle and Washington (43rd floor), which was kitty corner from City Hall and 3 1/2 blks. from the Sears Tower. You could look down from the windows and see a mass of people fleeing downtown heading towards the Metra and 'el stations. We heard more rumors: that all public transportation was shut down. Calls were made to find out that this info was not true. I would say, by 10:00 a.m. our firm was officially closed.

I had to call family ... call the girls' school to find out what was happening there. Mrs. Murphy, the school secretary, said that they were keeping school in session because it would be better to keep the kids there locked down and secure because no one really knew what was going on yet. The principal went to each classroom and in an age-appropriate way, briefed the kids on what was happening. The older kids were able to see a little bit of the images from TV. I called my mom and made sure that she was getting out of downtown.  My dad's steel plant was shutting down and they arranged to meet each other. I left the office sometime after 11:00 a.m.  It was a ghost town down here. I ran into an old co-worker on the 'el platform and we cried. Lots of tears on the train.  We were scared to be down here, too. Got off the train and it was so incredibly quiet. I have never heard it that quiet in the city before.

So, that same walk down Leavitt to my in-laws' house was different. My father-in-law was waiting on the porch for me ... cried again.

I picked up my car and went to Jewel to pick up a few things just in case there were curfews and/or food delivery problems. Everyone was talking to everyone, yet it was quiet. Lots of courtesy and sadness. Left the store and finally went home. Opened the door and found Darrin somberly sitting on the couch watching the coverage on TV. Hugged and cried. Watched TV and cried. I called Uncle Bill to make sure that my cousins in NY were okay. He told me that when my cousin Mark first heard, he jumped in a boat and headed down Long Island Sound over to the East River and tried to make it down to help. He was blocked by the Port Authority police from getting any further ... he saw the last tower fall as he watched from his boat.

I was walking from one room to another in our apartment when I heard a loud booming noise in the sky.  I rushed to the window in the sitting room to see a fighter yet flying above our McKinley Park neighborhood. I knew at that point that the world had changed forever. We decided to head over to Archview (a local neighborhood restaurant) to just get away from the TV and wait to pick up the girls from school. The skies were again eerily quiet being that we live fairly-close to Midway Airport ... and yet they were clear and bluer than any blue sky I've ever seen before.

I've never seen that many parents, all at once, picking up their children at school. Alex was in kindergarten and Caitlyn was in 4th. Miss Ehlert, Alex's teacher, asked us if it was really true. I think all of the parents tried their hardest to keep it together in front of their kids without breaking down. It was hard to sleep that night ... lots of bad dreams and the only noise I heard was the scary rumble of the sonic booms coming from the fighter jets patrolling the skies above.

What do you remember when you look back?  Never forget.

42

42, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

I have lived half of my life at this point. It's a privilege that a few of my friends have not had.

"Those who are dead are not dead
They’re just living in my head;
And since I fell for that spell
I am living there as well
Oh ... "

I still can recall the sound of their voices. The tones; the accents; the familiar way they'd call my name. And then there are some voices that I strain to remember. I can see mouths move in pictures from memories past, but nothing comes out. Just like a bad dream where you're falling and you never seem to hit the ground.

Perhaps, that memory of their voice is just a gift that God leaves us when He takes home the ones who leave this earth a little too early.

"Time is so short and I’m sure
There must be something more." - "42" by Coldplay

Things You Shouldn't Do on Public Transportation

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Midway Orange Line

My Brush with Royalty

PICT0097, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

King Albert (waving) and Queen Paola of Belgium just happened to be on an official state visit the day Janice and I were at the Cliffs of Moher during our trip to Ireland in October, 2007. I wonder if they attended Kate & Will's wedding.

Jen & Doug

True Love is Worth Waiting For

Freedom Has a Scent ...

IMG_4602, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

"... like the top of a new born baby's head." - Miracle Drug by U2

Happy one month birthday, Taj!

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



The Cat of Christ Church Cathedral

As we were leaving the evening song service, we noticed this woman preparing a late Sunday afternoon picnic for this kitty. It was very formal and cute.

The Cat of Christ Church Cathedral, Taken 10/7/07 in Dublin, Ireland; originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

Dublin Calling ... How the Celebrations of the 40's Began

Always fixated on time ... tomorrow will be the three year anniversary of our departure to Dublin to celebrate Janice's 40th birthday.  The succession of those entering this new age is increasing each year as a whole new group of friends gets ready to join those of us already on "the other side."  Music and places bring back such beautiful memories. 

The famous Ha'penny Bridge over the River Liffey in the background.

This store is part of U2 history.  Buskers take advantage of the location.

Arriving at the airport and taking our first Dublin Bus ride to the Temple Bar area.  It was a cold, Sunday morning and we had somewhat of an idea of how to get to The Clarence.  When we did exit the bus, the streets were made of cobblestones and all you could hear were the Guinness delivery trucks picking up the kegs that were left outside of the pubs from the night before.  This picture ended up being chosen for use in a "Schmap" guide for Dublin in 2008. 

One year ago today ...

39, really

... my best friend and I landed in Paris to begin the celebration of my 40th birthday.  It was the perfect time of the year to go (fewer tourists, cooler temperatures).  I can't wait to go back again with my husband someday to explore all the parts of the city that I missed.  Thought I'd share my journal entry that I wrote after the completion of our very first day, along with a few pictures, to add a little color. 


    September 3, 2009 at 1:57 a.m.:

"Gracias" has turned into "merci" and I have comfortably found my way around Paris -- The City of Light -- on this our first day.  

The Deportation Memorial

    A whirlwind day of which I won't soon will forget.  I have survived on four hours of sleep in the past 36 hours.  I have taken an hour run thru the streets of Paris and seen the Eiffel Tower for the very first time in my life and it brought an incredible child-like smile to my face.  We toured Notre Dame and I was touched by the panels depicting Jesus' appearance to the disciples after His resurrection.  The memorial to victims of the French Deportation during the Holocaust great moved me and brought tears to my eyes.

Carved wood panels inside Notre Dame

    Janice and I ended the night at an Irish pub on the River Seine where we finished in 2nd place as "Chicago Style" in a trivia challenge.  We were awarded free shots of some concoction that looked like the Irish flag.  We represented the "Second City" well.  It was a great night.

    We're slowly figuring out the Metro and learning the neighborhood where our hotel is located.  There are so many restaurants around.  We even have an Afghanistani restaurant around the corner from us.

    Tired, excited, blown away -- can't believe that I'm finally here!  Tomorrow's the Louvre.  

    Bonswa!"
 

 

Street musician performing along the Seine River across from Notre Dame.

 

Joyeuse Fete Nationale ... Happy Bastille Day!

IMG_3977, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

Wishing I was back in Paris to celebrate on this day. Freedom is a good thing.

Garden Update: June 30, 2010

Echinacea

Between the girls' graduations and the open house, there has been no time to add my much hoped for raised bed vegetable garden in the back along our garage. It has been all about maintenance at this point. Here are a few pictures to show how the old tried and true are coming along. You just got to love perennials!

Bee Balm from my Aunt Mickey's garden in New Hampshire.  It reminds me of fireworks.

This is the garden which is next to our patio. Very full - lots of color.

These are Weta's Tiger Lillies. I snagged these a few years ago when they were tearing down the house of my best friends that grew up next door to in Bucktown. Their entire green chain link fence was lined with these beautiful, tall Tiger Lillies. The Summer day I stopped by in the old neighborhood to see the demolition, I was able to slip into the yard and save a few and replant them safely in my own yard.

Baby bumble bee on Echinacea.

You might have heard news reports that the bumble/honey bee population is declining throughout North America.  You can get involved in helping to contribute data to scientists to study tracking info on the population status of the bees, make a "bee friendly" garden, as well as the importance of bees (the good bees).  Check out the Bee Spotter Project.

268 Years Ago ...

George Frederic Handel's "Messiah" was performed for the first time on Fishamble Street in what is now known as the Temple Bar area of Dublin, Ireland.  © Meridith Canning Photography

"Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God; speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem; and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord: make straight in the desert a highway for our God."

Recitative (Part I)

Naomh Pádraig

A High Cross at Kilfenora, County Clare, Ireland.  © Meridith Canning Photography

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  St. Patrick was born c.  AD 373 and is widely-known as the patron saint of Ireland.  You can call him a missionary and evangelist, too. At age 16, he was taken captive by a group of pirates to Ireland and it was during this time, he came to a personal faith in Christ as he understood the gift of God's grace.  “... before I was humbled, I was like a stone lying in deep mire, and He that is mighty came and in His mercy raised me up and, indeed, lifted me high up and placed me on top of the wall.  And from there I ought to shout out in gratitude to the Lord for His great favours in this world and for ever, that the mind of man cannot measure.”   (The Last Confession of Saint Patrick).

After a few years, he escaped back to Britain, but felt the call from God to return back to the land where he had previously been held captive in.  Over the course of 60 years, Patrick traveled throughout Ireland preaching the Gospel and baptizing those who believed.  Over the course of his ministry, many churches were established and elders ordained.  

"I am greatly God's debtor, because he granted me so much grace, that through me many people would be reborn in God, and soon after confirmed, and that clergy would be ordained everywhere for them, the masses lately come to belief, whom the Lord drew from the ends of the earth, just as he once promised through his prophets: 'To you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Our fathers have inherited naught but lies, worthless things in which there is no profit.' And again: 'I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles that you may bring salvation to the uttermost ends of' the earth.'  (Ibid).

Sources: http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/patrick.html#_ftn4

 

The stone (left) which covered the traditional site of St. Patrick's Well.  St. Patrick's Cathedral (right) in Dublin, Ireland. 

© Meridith Canning Photography

Window in the Skies

PICT0027_2, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

I took this picture inside Blarney Castle on a beautiful, October afternoon. I was trying to capture a multi-demensional shot with the two old window frames as the bridge between the trees in the background and the moss in the foreground.

Locate in County Cork, the original castle dates to AD 1210. The famous "Blarney Stone" lies at the top of the castle and as the legend holds, if you hang upside down to lean over to kiss the stone, you will be blessed with the "gift of eloquence" (a/k/a the gift of gab). Jance and I both managed the steep climb to the top and took part in the tradition.

"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."

- Window in the Skies by U2

Life in Dublin

PICT0010, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

Since St. Patrick's Day is a few short days away, I thought that I'd share a few pictures from my trip to Ireland in '07 this week. I was aiming to get the red door of the church down the street, but just as soon as I hit the shutter on my camera, a truck just happened to go by. Despite that mishap, I do like the way the picture captures a slice of daily life on a street in Dublin's Temple Bar neighborhood.