An Almost New Year

The next generation.  From Left:  Oren, Celia, (Corey and Sara's kids), Audrey, Penelope, and Violet

The gifts are unwrapped, and piles of paper and ribbon abound.  The girls are giggling at their virtual piles of treasure and toys.  The next few days will be spent exploring and playing with everything in sight, laughing, and possibly some snowy-day movies!

It is overwhelming every year, the generosity of our family and friends.  I am always overtaken by a sense of gratitude for all of the kindness and love given to our family.  These feelings last throughout the year, as December is never the only month where gifts and support are given to us.

As 2013 approaches, I look back on 2012.  I search for meaning and look for inspiration and motivation to succeed in the future.  While the idea of a new year is fresh and allows for an image of a clean slate or a new, blank page, it would be impossible to move forward without looking back to avoid repeating mistakes and to further drive our successes.  I don't believe in making resolutions for the next year, because it makes much more sense to simply start being a better person or adapt more positive habits immediately rather than wait for the turning of the calendar.

Audrey and her little ponies.

'Twas the night before Christmas...

Christmas morning.

From Lest:  Violet, Audrey, and Penelope (Mark and Beth's daughter)

Audrey and Penelope

Audrey, Penelope, and Violet

Violet

Holiday smiles

Violet and Daddy

I look forward to helping my daughters grow and learn and explore this world around them. I am excited to continue running and making myself a healthier person.  I want to travel back to Alaska this year, as well as Arizona to visit family and friends.  I hope to at least explore possible job opportunities as a school administrator, and definitely learn more to become a better classroom teacher.  Reading more books and listening to new music is high on my list, as well as volunteering some time to my community of those in need.  So as the old year blends into the new one, don't forget to look back and take with you those reminders and experiences that will best serve you moving forward.

Going Grey

Yes, I am getting more and more grey hairs. I am also getting some wrinkles around my eyes. No, I will not be purchasing any dye or face cream in the foreseeable future.

This is because I am proud to make it to a point in my life where these signs of longevity actually occur. Many do not get to live long enough to sport my sore right knee or hardened marathon feet. No, these crows feet will keep dancing around my eyes without fear of being blemished by blemish cream.

I plan on living long enough where my daughters look at a picture of me taken today and can't believe how young I looked! These signs of physical wear are also indicators of life lived.

So let those grey hairs come! Let the wrinkles go. Focus on living life and making each day beautiful, rather worrying about a temporary reflection in the mirror and trying to look like a magazine advertisement.

A Time for Quiet

The Hanukkah candles burn-down on this final, eighth night.  The warm glow helps to create a feeling of safety and love.  With the darkness all around, our small family gather near and we hold each other, content to just be and exist in these moments together.

The past two days have been terrible.  While the attacks of September 11th are forever burned into our minds, the shootings in Connecticut seem to strike deeper because the lives of children were taken in the most violent of ways, in a place that has always been associated with safety.

Tonight I play with my daughters, appreciating even more the simple joys of their innocence and happiness and laughter.  The candles are nearly burned out.  The lingering few flames stand strong against the darkness.  An essay states, "Although the eighth night is the exuberant end of this holiday, it also hints at the limitless holiness of every day. Yes, there were eight nights of miraculous oil, but beyond that—every day holds its own miracles."

Mr. Rodgers once told viewers that his mother said to always look for the helpers in times of darkness.  While we can't seem to look away from terrible events, we must also be able to see the people all around who are helping.  The people who are helping to clean-up, helping to bring supplies, helping to comfort, helping to make things safe again.

So the night surrounds us and we cuddle together as the final flickers of flame die out.  I am comforted by the laughter of my daughters and the warmth of their hugs.  Their light now becomes my only concern in this world, for there is no amount of money or oil, or possessions that could ever replace them.

A Light in the Dark

I believe that there is an inherent good in almost all people.  For that same level of good, there is also a level of darkness that humans are capable of.  It is the responsibility of parents and adults to foster the light within each child in order to battle the darkness.  I see the news on television and the internet about human darkness and the terrible things we are capable of doing to each other and the Earth.  I know that many parents want to make their environment safer and "better" for their children, but it is a true challenge to change the social awareness and mentality of people.  To be the change that truly evolves human consciousness is what we must attempt as a whole in order to reach such a goal.

There is a level of basic responsibility that I witness every day that many people are not accepting.  Simple acts such as holding doors for others, saying "thank you" and making eye contact with other human beings are not being fulfilled.  I am sickened by the disgusting number of children I see with a portable screen of some kind in their face as the real world passes by them all around.  A social network becomes a social disability before too long, and children are lacking the ability to interact with other children after too much electronic exposure.

While I am guilty of allowing some cartoons and kids programs to invade my house for continuous play on weekends, I also monitor the shows and discuss them with my daughter.  When she asks a question about something she sees, I answer her honestly and without filter.  I do not hide truths about humans or what people are doing if she asks about them.  To deny a child the truth at an early age is to dilute their foundation of social understanding upon which they are attempting to build their moral compasses.

There is no real end to this thought, only an end to this blog.  There are parts of childhood and interacting with young people that are truly special and amazing and fun.  There are also parts of these exchanges that must be direct and honest, no matter what the situation.  Everyone must work to fuel the lights of truth and honesty and humanity within the youth, otherwise their flames will falter and we will be left in the dark, forced to fumble forward with open, searching hands.

December Begins

It is 57 degrees as I enter this newest post.  There is something about sun and rain in December that makes this place seem almost tropical.  It was even more surreal yesterday when Audrey and her class performed as part of the holiday program at a local middle school.  This was one of those parenting moments where you realize that the roller coaster that is raising children has only just begun.  Watching my oldest daughter trot out with a group of tiny people and perform holiday songs was truly a moving experience.  Realizing that this was the first of many is a joy, and seeing her complete a task that she has been practicing for for weeks was special.  While I wish there was at least one Hanukkah song in there, it was a treat to see the holiday season begin with my daughter, and I could not have been more proud.

Violet at Holiday Program

Audrey bringing in the Holiday Season

Violet decorating the tree.

Audrey decorating the tree.

Thanksgiving

Audrey at the park.

Violet with the light blocks.

Thanksgiving in Richmod, Virginia was a sweet reunion of family.  It was Violet's first experience there and both she and Audrey were adored and engaged the entire time by family members.  On more than one occasion, Audrey told me that she didn't want to leave.  Now she understands how I feel every year.  To have the love and support and encouragement of so many loving and wise people is a blessing in our lives.  The laughter and conversations and smiles and adventures will last us another year until we can do it all again.  Thank you to our family everywhere.  You kindle our fire.  

Dancing with Uncle Fred in the kitchen.

Laughing at cousin Sam

The pumpkin custard was a smash with violet.  

Chihuly and Violet

Sisters exploring at the Museum of Modern Art

Audrey and Sam

Violet and Aunt Irene

Cousin Emma and Audrey discussing modernism

The color of Thanksgiving

Violet and a leaf.

So cool.

The Little Things

Audrey at the farm.

Finding the small moments in each day make life so much more enjoyable.  While there are always ills and errands and chores and cleaning, it is more important to search-out the things that make you laugh, or make the people around you happy.  While we all have struggles and challenges and dreams that we strive for, it is important to not look too far away for we will surely miss the things right in front of us waiting to be shared and experienced.

Violet exploring out back.

A weekend in Indiana was a time for the family to relax and enjoy some time playing and exploring.  We took the girls to visit some horses and Audrey even got to saddle-up!  We took a nice walk at the farm, exploring the woods and pond, and I even managed to chop some wood in between rounds of football and swinging the girls in the air!

Daddy and his girls.

Audrey says that she loves to hug her stuffed animals.  She tells me that the things she loves the most right now are her unicorn that her grandmother bought her, and balloons are also a favorite at the moment.  At school, she enjoys playing in home living and learning how to draw and write with her friends.  She talks about going to high school already!  She tells me that being a big sister is tough sometimes, but she tries to share with her, especially treats!  The best part is helping feed her little sister, as well as washing her hair during bath time.  It is always interesting watching these two interact on a daily basis.

Mom and Violet.  A dynamic duo.

The evenings in our home still end the same way; bath, books, bed.  The night is not complete without two stories before goodnight hugs.  While I won't remember my trip to the store today a week from now, I will always cherish reading a Sendak story and listening to the laughter of my family   As stated earlier, the little things are sometimes the biggest in life.

Dad reliving his Alaskan glory days splitting wood.

Audrey taking a ride in the country.

I really like this picture.  Kim is getting very good at her craft.

Violet is all about safety!

Audrey in the woods behind the farm.

Daddy/Daughter catch.

Fly little one, fly!

Violet and Grandpa Cip blow out their birthday candles.

Audrey and Gail review their photos.  

Falling forward

The family is finding new layers of blankets and warm clothing as the temperature drops a little each day. Summer and days in T-shirts are either a pleasant memory or a whimsical thought for the future. For now, however, we take the extra time to bundle-up and play with our ghosts of hot breath on these new November mornings.

Violet is now a year old. What time has done is a miracle. The two-tooth wonder was born on 11-1-11 and is now a smiling, snorting, exploring super baby. All of our lives have been brightened by her and every day is an adventure.

Like a wave pulling out back to sea after crashing on the shore, there is a feeling of change and new waves of evolution are coming to our family. We are content to simply be and enjoy our daily lives, yet I feel like we are gathering steam towards a new something yet to be defined.

For the moment, though, I sit next to Audrey as the lights dim in the movie theatre. She is munching popcorn contently as the previews roll. I am reminded of my own childhood.

October Reflections

The leaves are mushy beneath our feet as Audrey and I trudge against the headwinds on this dreary fall morning.  The dog is happy to be out, with all of the musty smells swirling about.



Change is in the air and in our lives. The season is colder, making our summer warm skin harder and seeking cover underneath scarves or jacket collars. Change is also in our lives with our daily operations.



Running the Chicago Marathon was a success, at just under four hours. Finishing it, however, leaves me with the question of what next? After months of training, it is both rewarding and melancholy to reach the endgame.

Family visiting during the marathon was sweet, but difficult to try and pretend that we don't live so far apart. Now things have calmed back down and we are reduced back to our little family looking for what's next.

Violet turns a year In November, and the thought of travels to Virginia for Thanksgiving warm my heart. Now, though, I seek new goals in life and strive to discover and savor daily joys of time with my daughters and wife, and working and laughing with my students. It is a pleasure to have such daily burdens.