Ode to Kate on Your 17th Birthday

 July 8, 2024

My Dearest Kate:

Happy, Happy 17th Birthday!

You woke up this morning, and while the world changed for me (how can you really be 17?!!), you ate a bagel, grabbed your clothes, and headed out the door to your job as a barista.  Time to make the doughnuts.

You have always been a person that gets the job done-quietly, intentionally and consistently.

This past year has been such a marvel to watch your choices.  You made the hard but good decision to release dance to make time for costume design for Duchesne's productions of Annie and a Midsummer Nights Dream along with Kent Bellow's mentorship program.  Seeing your creations come to life in fashion, Cosplay, 3-D art, painting, embroidery, and even in Madrid as you created ceramic art is so inspiring.

Speaking of Spain, it was so much fun when you came home to listen to your stories of castles, museums, food, fashion, art, history....and...to receive all of your texts in Spanish.  It seems as though this will be the first of many stamps on your passport and that you found the hunger to see more of the world.

And, of course, this has been an amazingly liberating year of driving--to school, to work, to have dinner with friends, to grab late night Sonic and to feel the freedom of going where you want to go with the ability to do so.  Thank you for carpooling your little sister around, grabbing stuff for us at the grocery store and for taking your time on the road. 

And now, here we are, inches away from senior year.  A final year at Duchesne with lots of hard, good classes, a final semester to build your portfolio, the last musical and play costume curations, and of course, big decisions about where to apply to college and what makes good sense.  And, as you embark upon all of this, and the seemingly endless conversations we've had as a family about them, I want you to remember a few things...you've always been a maker...

And a reader...

And a dancer...

And a sewer...

And because all of these amazing parts are inside of you, you don't have to worry about losing them or accentuating one over the other.  Instead, trust that you will always be a maker--no matter what you study in college, or where you go, or who you meet, or which classes you take, or what your degree says.  You were born to make beauty.

So, as we do this senior year/college thing together, I promise to stand by your side, and love you as it all unfolds--no matter how it unfolds.  And when you're unsure, I'll be here with really good coffee and a bear hug--because in the end, it's not what you major in, what your business card says, the street you live on, or the amount of money you make-it's about how you treat others, the ways you remain curious and interested in the world, and the opportunities you take, imperfectly, to manifest your joy, your color, your idea, your hope into the world.  And knowing that, I'm not worried one bit. 

You are the greatest gift, and our family is so blessed to have your humor, your wit, your love, and your light.  Keep shining in your weird, unique, beautiful, only you way, and we'll keep basking in the beauty.

All my love, always,

Mom

 

Ode to Sam on Your 16th Birthday

February 8, 2021

My Dearest Sam,

Happy, Happy, Happy 16th Birthday!  

How is it possible that you are officially Sweet 16??!!

What a crazy year we've had...moments after your 15th birthday, the entire world entered involuntarily into a global pandemic.  We had no idea that schools would shut down, dad would work from home for almost a year, we'd wear masks everywhere we went, we'd become experts at social distancing, Covid testing sites would spring up, a shortage of toilet paper and disinfectant wipes would be a thing, and every social event you came to love would be put on hold.

But in the midst of your 15th year, some really remarkable blessings emerged.  You began your sophomore year at Creighton Prep.  By the grace of God, you continued running Cross Country, and we got to cheer on the sidelines.
 

You completed your Eagle Scout project after nine years of being in the program.  The YouTube video below is an amazing story of what you created in the community gardens of Holy Family parish--alongside Dad and Bompa--who were so proud to help you.

You received your Learner's Permit and officially took to the streets with Dad as your fearless coach.

You decided to teach yourself how to play the guitar and suddenly, we heard lots of Pink Floyd in our home.

You hiked up ginormous mountains, rode bikes, ate heaps of ice cream, played board games and made beautiful memories in Estes, Colorado with our family.

You took really hard honors and AP courses and learned about the value of earning your stripes inch by inch, especially when most of it was done via Zoom.

You were a really good big brother to Kate and helped her through advanced math at Prep, while going toe to toe with her in other ways--showing her that strength comes from trying and a willingness to keep showing up.

And found lots of ways to laugh and encourage Claire-showing her that there is still joy in life, even in the midst of a pandemic.

Through all of it, even though regular hang-outs with friends were canceled, Movie Club, Quiz Bowl, Chess Club, going to the theater, and being with your buddies was nearly eliminated--you made the most of it.  And during our nightly dinners, you shared that your Rose of this experience has been getting to know your favorite people even more.  And that you're grateful we're on your team.

********

As you embark upon this new year, there is so much goodness on the horizon.  Soon, you'll be creating a lawn mowing business with a buddy, studying for the ACT, exploring colleges, driving Kate to Duchesne and Claire to Saint Margaret Mary and making trips to Dragon's Lair, HyVee and Prep.

And, I'll keep texting you-my daily-"I love you so muches and I'm so, so proud of you."

And, as we now see the official half way point of high school, I'll try not to cry when I think about the little time I have left with you at home.  And instead, I'll treasure our runs together through Elmwood Park and the moments that you encourage me in my Conflict Resolution business and the chances you trust me enough to read through your English essays and the moments we get to talk about good literature like 1984 and The Screwtape Letters and the times you let me give you a hug longer than you'd prefer just because you know I need it and the morning blessing, "May God bless your mind so you can learn...your ears to be a good listener...your lips to speak kind words...and your heart to feel love" (the same one since Kindergarten).  

And I'll continue to marvel at the great gift you are and keep standing on the sidelines cheering you on.

I could not love you more.

All my love always,

Mama