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.

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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

 

                                                

Ode to Claire on Your 10th Birthday

December 14, 2020

My Dearest Claire,

Oh my goodness...you are DOUBLE DIGITS!

Because you are the youngest, it feels like you are always wanting to be big, and today, you've finally reached the pinnacle of what it means to be 10!

And, what does it mean to be 10?

Well, for starters...it means fourth grade with the most amazing teacher on the planet who has nurtured a love of reading and writing.  Often, your nose is buried deep stories about dragons, wizards, adventuring sisters, and crazy escapades of fantasy and science fiction.  Currently, you are on the 9th "Wings of Fire" series book and you can't seem to get enough of the characters.

When you're not reading, you're journaling--all of your thoughts and feelings and hopes.  Recently, you started a gratitude notebook to document the goodness in your life, and to remind you that blessings abound.  Usually when you're writing, you're also listening to music--and man alive do you love a wide range of genres and musicians.  By far and away, your favorite is Hamilton.  You know all of the words, can do all of the dances (especially to King George), participated in a scene from the musical during your 3rd grade talent show, and are knowledgeable of so much more U.S. History than I ever was it your age. If it ever works out that we can see the production beyond Disney Plus, we will be there.

 

If I had to select a space to showcase your heart, it would be in the Taekwondo studio.  This is your third year of taking classes, and most recently, you advanced to a Red belt.  The best way to describe it is that you are not afraid.  As one of the smaller students, you can spar with people twice your size and not flinch.  You can memorize form, language, and do your due diligence of endurance exercises.  You break boards, do countless push-ups, sit-ups, and squats, and are tough--which my God will serve you so well.

 

Most recently, you've discovered a love of archery.  And for your birthday, you received a bow, arrows and lessons.  And you know what...you're a decent shot.  Diving into this unknown territory is just another example of your willingness to jump, to try, to explore, and to believe that the world is for the taking.  This giant piece of your spirit is one of the things that we love so much about you.

This past summer, we took a beautiful family trip to Estes-you rode horses, went hiking, biked all around town, enjoyed loads upon loads of ice cream and declared that you would live on a ranch and own horses.  This prompted us to watch the live action version of "Black Beauty" where you fell in love with every  horse on screen.

In general, you adore animals and have been begging for a dog.  It seems like everyone has gotten a four-legged creature during the pandemic--and in your dreams, we would have a golden retriever.  If it was a boy, we'd name him Scout.  A girl-we'd name her Honey.  Much to your chagrin, we haven't acquiesced, but I have a feeling that it won't be long and we will.

Speaking of passions, you also love to do the Mini New York Times crossword puzzle every morning, and also take a family stab at the Spelling Bee where we work hard to guess a million different spellings of words with only 6 designated letters.  You usually pull a word out that we never thought of just in the nick of time.

 

The truth is Claire-you are beyond extraordinary.  You make us laugh with your endless jokes. You amaze us with your kicks and Hutzpah, you intrigue us with the stories you write, you exhaust us with your requests for horses and dogs, and you remind us regularly that life is for the living.  

Please know as you grow, that you are deeply loved for the weird, wacky, crazy, feisty, beast of a ball of heart you are.  When you wonder if you're too much--don't.  The world needs more guttural laughs, full bodied smiles, kee-yah's, karate kicks, and bow/arrow slinging women.  

 As you embark upon this new year, may you meet each challenge with fearlessness and hopefulness.

Love you to the moon and back,

Mama