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.

Crêpes + Nutella = Love

IMG_4598, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

February 2nd is the the French holiday, La Fête de la Chandeleur, or Candlemas, as it is known in other parts of the world. It is celebrated on this day because it is 40 days after Christmas and it marks what is believed to be the date that Jesus would have been presented at the Temple for consecration. The festival was originally celebrated with a candlelit procession at mass. The holiday itself has become to be known simply as "crêpe day" in France. It is traditional to hold a coin in your writing hand and a crêpe pan in the other, and flip the crêpe into the air. If you manage to catch the crêpe in the pan, your family will be prosperous for the rest of the year.

While vising Paris in September, we did stumble upon numerous crêpe stands throughout the city. Simply, delicious!

Safe at Home

IMG_7589, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

Members of  the "Team 7" medical missions group from the Little by Little organization stand near the aircraft that brought them back home to Chicago's Midway Airport on 1/16/10. Also in the picture, Congressman Mark Kirk, who assisted in getting everyone back to Chicago. 

Chicagoans Caught in Haiti Quake

This is a clip that our local FOX affiliate ran last night on the Little by Little organization, which Janice & James are a part of:

Pray for Haiti

This is my best friend, Janice, and her fiance, James.  They are currently in Haiti serving on a short-term medical missions team through Mountain Top Ministries.  They were supposed to fly home today, but due to the devastating 7.0 earthquake that struck the country yesterday, their return is unknown right now.  There are 23 members of the medical team from the Chicagoland area that have been working at a clinic in the village of  Gramothe for the past week.  They worked into the night assisting two doctors at a local hospital where they treated over 100 severely injured people as a result of the earthquake.  I received an email from Janice this morning.  Everyone is shaken up, but okay.  They are going back to the local clinic to help sort things out and attend to patients there.  Please pray for the people of Haiti at this time.  Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hempishere and is not equipped to deal with an event of this magnititude.  Also, please pray that God will keep Janice, James and the entire team safe as they provide medical assistance to the people of Haiti.

The Red Cross is reporting that over 3 million people will require aid.  The Haitian prime minister believes that 100,000 people have died in the earthquake.  Make a difference in your world by making a donation to: Haiti Earthquake Relief.

 

(Tribune photo by Jorge Cruz / January 13, 2010)

Looking Back 2009

2009, December. Chicago experienced its earliest bout with sub-zero temperatures last week. The bitter sting of the frigid wind slapped every one of us making our daily trek walking up Randolph to our various office buildings on Thursday morning. We are of Midwestern stock. This is nothing new to us who call this city home. Sure, the first taste of it during the season is never pleasant; but, over time, you learn the proper way to bundle up, head out and carry on. So, we continued on walking up Randolph, with a shred of sunshine peeking out, and we moved forward – holding on tightly and breathing in life’s sweet breath.
“Every day I die again, and again I’m reborn. Every day I have to find the courage to walk out into the street with arms out, got a love you can’t defeat; neither down nor out. There’s nothing you have that I need, I can breathe, breathe now.

Caitlyn with her friends, Larissa and Aaron

Caitlyn’s junior year of high school came and went and she is now in her Senior year at Chicago Hope Academy. She spent a lot of time this fall working on college applications, taking her ACT and writing essays. Darrin and I cannot believe that our oldest will be graduating and heading off to college next year. It has been a tough few months, but she has pushed herself and done well. She has now received acceptance letters from eight different colleges and universities, and she has also received a few merit scholarships. Caitlyn is interested in studying forensic science. We are very proud of her and look forward to what God will be doing in her life.
The roar that lies on the other side of silence.

The forest fire that is fear so deny it.


Alexandra is now an 8th grader and counting down the days until graduation when she will get her cell phone (as well as how many more months until she gets her braces off). Practice just began this week for the upcoming basketball season at St. Andrew. The Bruins had a successful volleyball season this fall, taking first place in the conference tournament. Alex was also named an all-star. For this year’s Chicago Area Lutheran Association’s forensics competition, she placed 1st in Declamation for her rendition of a speech by Indian Chief Seattle.

Alexandra and her friend, Dominique, at the softball tournament in September.

In June, the contract between Darrin’s union and AT&T had expired; so, we were in limbo for a few weeks as to what was going to happen. There were lots of rumors swirling around about what the company was offering and what the union was demanding; but, after many weeks of slow negotiations, both sides finally reached an agreement. They now have a three-year contract, which, in this day and time, is all that we can ask for. Darrin has taken up a new sport/hobby: golf. On his days off (and in much warmer weather), he likes to head to the driving range to practice his swing or to a local golf course for a few rounds. In October, the family celebrated Darrin’s parents 50th wedding anniversary by throwing a surprise party in his mom and dad's honor. Many family and old friends came out to celebrate this special day with us.

Walk out into the street, sing your heart out. The people we meet will not be drowned out. There’s nothing that you have that I need. I can breathe now.

This past year I set out to reach some big goals in celebration of turning 40 in September. My friend, Jennifer, and I had talked during one of our runs last fall that this would be the year that we would run a half marathon. So, right after the Shamrock Shuffle in March, we started training for the 13.1 Chicago half marathon, which took place in early June. Jennifer had registered for the Chicago Marathon months beforehand and kept asking me to run it; while a few months earlier, my church announced that they were putting together a running team to raise money for frontline HIV/AIDS caregivers in Africa through World Vision. I felt my heart being tugged at. If I was ever going to run a marathon, it was going to be here in my hometown and it would be for a goal. So, after we ran the half, we started the 18-week marathon training program which required a lot of juggling of schedules, support of my family and sacrifice of sleep. I was grateful to have a few other friends running the marathon this year and we were able to provide encouragement to one another through our Facebook wall posts and chats at church. When that morning of October 12th finally rolled around, it almost seemed dream-like. All those months of training were done and it was time to just go out there and run the course. It was a cold, windy, and sunny Sunday in Chicago that day. The crowds that lined the streets were unbelievable. Just seeing all of the people cheering as we made our way through the different neighborhoods and hearing your named called out as you ran by was such a motivating feeling. The last six miles were tough because of calf cramps and the final three were the hardest. I could not have made it without the help of Jennifer who stayed alongside me the entire course. Darrin and the girls met us and different places along the course to cheer us on. It meant so much to see my parents out at Mile 21 and then to have my entire family, my best friend Janice, and the Zabors at the finish line. I ran as strong as I could and through the generous financial support of family, friends, co-workers and strangers, we were able to raise $ 985.00 toward helping to make a different in Africa through World Vision.

Paris in September ... this is where I celebrated my actual 40th birthday. My best friend, Janice, and I decided that we wanted to mark our milestone birthdays with a unique trip. She choose Ireland in ‘07 and I picked France this year. What can I say about the City of Light? It was more amazing than I had imagined. The culture, cuisine, the sights, the sounds ... it is easy to see why so many writers have gone to Paris for inspiration. We stayed in a hotel in the Latin Quarter and from there we set out each day on an adventure. We visited the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay (where my love of impressionism was further deepened); took the train down to Versailles to tour the palace and stroll the vast gardens of the former monarchy; took a cooking class with Chef Pino at Cook'n with Class (which was the highlight of our trip); rode to the top of the Eiffel Tower; walked around Montmartre; toured Notre Dame and Sacre-Coeur; continued our Summer concert tour with another Coldplay concert in Parc des Princes soccer stadium and rode the Metro everywhere! I especially enjoyed my two runs along the River Seine while I was there. It was very surreal and awe-inspiring to be able to take in all of the history and beauty as I wandered the city during my runs there. I will post the rest of the pictures with links to my flickr albums in the days and weeks to come, so check back.

We are people borne of sound.

The songs are in our eyes, gonna wear them like a crown ...

And I remember ... the beauty that you can sometimes miss in the every day moments of life; early morning prayers with a friend; the joy of freshly brewed coffee at 5:30 a.m.; dreaming of Paris mornings; winning tickets to meet the boys from Ireland at the Metro courtesy of ‘XRT; the working the concession stand along with other Chicago Hope parents at Altgeld Park on Friday nights; "you're Italiano"; honeysuckle and fuller hydrangeas; the community of runners and walkers that would greet me each weekend at Marquette Park during my long runs; watching Alexandra participate in her sporting events; chocolate croissants and café au lait; July road trip up to Alpine Valley to see Coldplay; Espresso Love GU; reconnecting with old friends; the last two miles of my first half marathon; singing the line "Chicago bursts to life" during the song "Hands Open" with Snow Patrol; seeing the city from Jackson Park on a Sunday morning; the long good-bye to my daughter’s classmate, Marcel; celebrating more “40th” birthdays; the day we lost the 2016 Olympic bid; hugs from the 4's & 5's on Sundays; landscaping the corner garden; running along the Seine River in Paris as the sun came up; opening night of the North American leg of the U2360 tour at Soldier Field and then going back the next night with Yvonne and the girls; Guitar Hero and Rock Band jam sessions in our basement; the sound of the people cheering as I ran up Roosevelt Road with Jen as we approached the final turn onto Columbus and made our way to the finish line; answers to prayer; celebrating an engagement; lunchtime runs up to the Adler Planetarium; hearing a voice that’s still whispering; 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.

Walk out, into the sunburst street, sing your heart out, sing my heart out.

2010. May the new year - this new decade - 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.”

Thank you for being a part of our lives.

I’ve found grace inside a sound; I found grace, it’s all that I found and I can breathe, breathe now.”

“Breathe” by U2 (Hewson/Clayton/Evans/Mullen)

Allies & Friends

IMG_4530, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

09/6/2009: Ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe

Moulin Rouge

IMG_4159, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

Finally getting around to uploading the rest of the photos from my trip. This was taken towards the end of our afternoon walking around Montmartre.

Ready to Leave My Mark

The start of the Chicago Marathon is now less than 33 hours away. I could barely sleep last night. What will I do the next two nights?

Today I attended the Marathon Expo at McCormick Place where all of the runners go to pick up their running bibs, timing chips, t-shirts and goody bags. There are vendors from a wide variety of sport nutrition companies, race reps, running gear gadgets, shoe companies, etc. who have booths set up that you can visit and pick up samples and buy stuff. Nike has the biggest section because they are the official seller of official Chicago Marathon merchandise.

As I took the escalator up to the exhibition level, I could feel a waive of emotion coming over me. I got teary-eyed just walking over to pick up my timing chip. It has taken a long time to get to this point. I have put a lot of hard work and sacrifice into this effort; and, just like the tag line from Myoplex, I'm "not done yet."

While waiting in line at the Asics booth to meet American Olympic runner Deena Kastor, I met Carola, another first time marathon runner, who came by herself all the way from Chile to run here in the Chicago Marathon. We shared our reasons why we're running the marathon and how emotional it will be for us. We were the last two people to meet Deena before she left. I told Deena that she has been such an inspiration. She wished me well. I was even able to take a picture of Carola and Deena together. It will be a nice memory for her.

"I always loved running ... it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs." - Jesse Owens