From my heart: June 2007

We are ready to go...

Kristin and Drew...

You go, Drew.

The gang...

Go Cubbies!

The friendly confines...

Cubs win the hard way...

Holy cow, did we have fun. Last night the whole Malaysian group, Katie, Drew, Kristin and I were at the craziest Cubs game ever. The Bonciminos came in yesterday afternoon. We all went to Kostas for lunch, went to the Cubs store in Woodfield and then off to beautiful Wrigley field...

I asked Drew to tell us the various spots he had sprinkled some of Laurie's ashes and we all recounted various games we had attended at Wrigley. The Cubbies pulled to an 8 to 3 lead and all looked great. Then in the ninth the Colorado Rockies hit everything thrown at them and went ahead 9 to 8. Woe upon woe! An irate fan ran on to the field and was tackled before he did any damage to the Cubs pitcher. And then the Cubs miracle: Bases loaded and the $136 million Soriano gets a hit sending home two runners. Cubs win, Cubs win! You would have thought it was the final of the World Series.

A very happy group headed home recounting every part of the game. We loved it! What a great way to start this visit! Pics to come later.

PS Sorry to all my CO friends, Jackie, Shelly, Gail, Diane, Margie, cousin Laurie. We whupped your boys! And thanks to the other grandma and grandpa and Jay for watching the twins so Katie could attend.

Happy Father's Day, Pada.

Father and sons...

Chris, Hayden and Kaitlyn jump for joy!

The wonders of the canteen await...

Denver and Mr. Fred

Okay, Grandma, you can go now...

Father's Day, Camp...And more.

Today is the longest day of the year. Did you notice you long it stayed light? It is also my cousin Ray's birthday and that I only remembered because it was the day after my sister Lin's birthday. Lin, dear sweet Lin, would have been 57, almost catching up to me. Can it really be almost 10 years since she has been gone? So many times I still think that I can call her up and catch her up on the latest and get some of her Godly wisdom.

Life seems full right now. Father's Day was fun and honoring and wistful. Some dads no longer here (mine), some getting old (Pete's), some just nutty (Chris), some estranged...but still a day where we were pointed to the man who hopefully built character into us...mine did. And it was a day filled with anticipation as young Denver (a shrimpy 8 year old) began his first day at Lake Geneva Youth Camp to stay for six days! Pete and I loved how after we helped him choose his bunk and met his counselor, he siddled next to us and said, "You can go now." He was ready. We were not.

And though this was a really busy work week, I am gladdened by the solid friendships I have been able to build into my work relationships. Two dinners this week with guys I have known for over over 15 years; both solid good men. And realizing how lucky I am to have the job I have that brings in enough dollars but allows me to have a life too. And there have been some deep financial situations just this week but also the knowledge that we will be okay.

And now the crazed anticipation of the Malaysian Bonicminos arriving in just a few days. Aah, the fun we have planned, starting with a Cubs game Monday night, made all the sweeter knowing some of Laurie's ashes have been scattered in many places at Wrigley Field! Her spirit will be right there with us.

Rylan reading Henry Cloud and John Townsend's Boundaries...

Oh, that I could REALLY write...

If I could really pour out my heart, what wonderful words I would write...and if those words could bring glory to God, wouldn't that be so amazing? Instead, I hunt and peck at the keyboard, writing what is on my mind just then. Not always interesting, not always grammatically correct or even spelled right (and this from a former high school yearbook editor) but what I am feeling in this journey at the moment.

Today I got to serve at the Arts Conference as floor supervisor for the Point Leader track for the Willow Creek Association. What an honor! I got to meet a couple hundred guests, make sure they got their food, went to the right breakout room, had hassle-free breaks and got safely on their buses. I also had a surprise meeting with friends of the Malaysian Bonciminos here from Texas. (Hi, Jordan and Jack.) And really sweet was meeting the speakers: Gordan MacDonald (Rebuilding Your Broken World, Renewing Your Spiritual Passion, A Resilient Life), John Townsend (Boundaries, Hiding From Love), Efrem Smith (Raising Up Young Heroes, The Hip-Hop Church), Nancy Beach (An Hour On Sunday), John Ortberg ( Too many to write here but one especially meaningful to us, When the Game is Over, It All Goes Back In the Box), Nancy Ortberg, so amazing in all her teachings. And last night, listening to Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz, Searching for God Knows What). Gee whiz...these folks are making deep impacts...I saw today a reflection of God in them. They never wanted to be led away for their lunch time if it meant stopping to talk to one of the guests who wanted to speak further with them. Gordan MacDonald said to me something like. "These are people that need to be heard." It was so cool.

And then on the ride home I heard that Ruth Bell Graham had passed away. Can you even imagine what it was like to be the biggest influence (besides, God, of course) on the most dynamic evangelical of the century? Her life is a testimony of God's faithfulness. And this is one of her books Prodigals and Those Who Love Them. I am thinking that it will not be long before Billy Graham passes, as well. Their love story is another gripping story.

We all have stories, every single one of us. Will mine be the best I can create? Lord, that it would be so...

June 7th, 2007

It's good to have a plan...

Moving through yesterday was not a bad thing. My bike ride turned out to be a combination bike ride and a walk until Pete could readjust my bike handlebars for me. I fought a bout of IBS or something while I picked up a few things I needed at Walgreens causing me to make a quick return to the house before going into work.

I did spend a lot of time driving yesterday. Long delays into the office, the ride to Lake Michigan per Mapquest should only take 24 minutes from my office. Instead it took an hour and twenty minutes and almost the same on the return ride. But that was a good thing because I got my copy of Laurie singing worship songs and playing the piano. I listened to the twenty minute CD again and again and found it soothing to hear her voice again.

At the lake it was beautiful and breezy and crowded with folks enjoying a summer day on the lakefront. What I loved was that the whole time I was down by that fateful corner behind Adler Planetarium, not one single person was around. I had enough alone time to write in chalk on the wall, leave some flowers and release a pink balloon with a gerber daisy attached to it. What made me smile was what happened right after I released the balloon. As I watched its flight I caught out of the corner of my eye a big wave coming in. It got me...

The first picture shows the wet cement near the edge of the water, not too far in, right? The next picture shows my birthday wish and flowers and balloon, all dry, right? The next shows how far the wave pushed up to the wall. I choose to think it was a little sign Laurie appreciated the commemoration of her day by getting my feet wet.

The day ended with Katie, the twins, Kristin, Trinity and me having dinner at a local Mexican restaurant, one we had gone to with Laurie what seems a long, long time ago. I still remember the time she had just come home from her time in Mexico and I made her speak Spanish to our waiter. He was amazed at her fluency and accent and the next thing we knew all the busboys were busy buzzing around us, well, her, really. And so a margarita toast to Laurie. We miss you.

Happy Birthday, Laur...

I have plans...a bike ride in a few minutes wearing my Overnight shirt with Laurie's picture on it. A trip down to the lake during my lunch hour. I'll bring chalk to write on the cement, some daisies to leave, memories to mull over.

I will seek times to show random acts of kindness. I will hug and kiss the twins and remind them what a wonderful aunt they should have been able to meet. Maybe a mexican dinner to honor her time in Mexico...

Her favorite TV show was "The Price is Right". I smile that Bob Barker, after 40 years, taped his last show yesterday...sort of fitting just before Laurie's 23rd birthday. Don't I wish that she could "Come on down"?