You Can Lay Your Worries Down and Stay With Me

Last Saturday, our beloved Ginger took ill and we paid a visit to the Vet. As it turned out, the symptoms that we brought her in for were an unrelated infection, but during the visit she was diagnosed with having at least one cancerous tumor.
As you can imagine, the past two weeks have been difficult ones for our family. But recent loss of loved ones has helped us to put this time in perspective and we've chosen to stay positive, making sure there were lots of pets and cuddles and walks.

Ginger had a terrible beginning: the first five months of her life she was kept in a cage where she had to hunch over and walk on her elbows just to fit. During this time, she was also mentally and emotionally battered, though we've never quite figured out how. But when she found her place in our family, she blossomed in a way that we never anticipated or expected of her. As much as we helped Ginger to heal physically in the 6 years that we've had her, she has helped us heal emotionally tenfold. Animals have a way of healing and living in the present that is a living lesson for those of us imprisoned by past hurts, impressions and experiences.

Some may find it strange that I would write this way about a pet...a dog...an animal. I do not make it a habit to humanize my pets. In fact, I don't think you can truly appreciate an animal if you are assigning it humanistic traits...you miss the natural beauty and simplicity of their existence. But I truly believe that every living being is a blessing sent to us from God to touch our hearts and fill our souls with love and understanding. Tomorrow morning, Ginger will be having her toe amputated in an effort to eliminate the cancer. We are confident that she will come through with flying colors and will continue to bring peace, laughter and copious amounts of drool to our lives.

Thank you for your continued prayers for the health and happiness of all of our family, even the more furry members.

Life's Like an Hourglass Glued to the Table

This Memorial Day Weekend passed by in the blink of an eye. MaryKatherine was home for a few days (literally to get her ticket punched by way of a stamp in her passport). Unfortunately, due to camera trouble, the only proof that I have of said visit is this photo:




It was so great to see my sister, if only for a few short hours. As long as she lives in a different country, no visit will ever be long enough, but I am grateful for anything I can get!

As mentioned in the previous blog, we went to our friend's wedding. It was wonderful, but a few days beforehand I fell at work and really hurt my leg - which put a damper on my dancefloor time. We did, however, get to see our friends John and Lovina, who also just so happen to be the world's best wedding photographers!




Monday was spent doing home improvements and resting my leg. It was great to spend a little bit of quiet time together. So while the dogs did alot of this:


We restained our deck:




Ok, not the most exciting blog we've had to date - but there's the update folks! I hope that your holiday weekend was full of hot dogs, sunscreen, parades and cat naps!

Happy in Eachother's Kiss; I'm Happy in a Love Like This

We had the pleasure of witnessing the marriage of our good friend Yasmin to her beloved Eric this past weekend. The ceremony and reception were a true celebration of the strength and lasting power of love. The chapel might look familiar to those of you who were able to join in our wedding celebration (for that matter, Yasmin may look familiar, too!). And the day was a terrific reminder that marriage is not a social institution or spiritual sacrement to rest in - it is a decision that needs to be made everyday. In our gestures, our words, our considerations: marriage vows are a roadmap to living in a very specific way...a very reciprocal way...and it is a responsibility to be embraced and celebrated.

Yasmin and Eric are a testament to what true love can endure; their journey to find one another was not an easy one - but it was clear in the bright sunshine of that beautiful May day that all of the trials and tribulations of their past lives were a whisper of a memory, and that their lives were truly just beginning. We were so glad to be able to share in their joy...although Eric's daughter Mary looked like she had just about had it by the time she hit the pew!

Congratulations to the beautiful new couple and their family!

I'll Meet You Anytime You Want, In Our Italian Restaurant

Last night was one of the highlights of my career thus far. I organized a cocktail reception in NYC hosted by the Dean of Rutgers College and one of our esteemed alumni...that's right...think Persimmon crocs!

It was an amazing night of making Rutgers connections and celebrating our shared experiences. Mario was wonderful and the evening felt like it was being held in someone's living room - but I understand that each of Mario's restaurants evoke this intimate sense of belonging. This is not surprising once you meet him, his warmth draws you in and embraces a crowd like a big bear hug.

Again, the biggest drawback of being the photog? No photos of me!!!! I even brought my bright green crocs with me so that we could get a "feet shot". I was invited back for dinner, so maybe I'll post one in the future!

I had a wonderful time, way too much fantastic wine, and lots of laughs with Rutgers friends. In many ways, it was the perfect swan song as I embark on a new professional adventure. This would be a tough evening to top, and virtually impossible to replicate. So with a smile on my face, I drove through the Holland Tunnel with a quiet appreciation and understanding...it's time....

My Father Sent Me To Old Rutgers, And Resolved That I Should Be A Man

This past weekend was reunion weekend at Rutgers, and my last as a staffer (although next year I'll be working Freshman Orientation this weekend).
It was a beautiful day and a lovely parade with lots of old friends that I've come to know and love through my job. Here's a few highlights:
Our office tradition: breakfast at ABP

Brian Crockett and his trusty stead

Walter Seward (aka Yoda), our oldest living alumnus at 113
Class of 1942 - I work with these guys alot. Many of them are featured on the History Channel and other documentaries. Seeing their joy and pride is especially emotional thinking about the terrifying world that they spent their young adulthood in. Six percent of their class perished in the war.
But you would never know it to see them
My guys in the Class of 1952 thought they had the perfect class uniform - unfortunately (?) the weather guys were wrong (BIG surprise) and we had beautiful weather.
Class of 1957 - these guys can party.

There's No Way I Can Pay You Back, But My Plan Is To Show You I Understand....You Are Appreciated.

So this posting is a few days late, but truly we should celebrate our mothers EVERY day (I have artfully mastered the skill of excusing my own tardiness).
As I sought a title for this entry, the only song about mothers I could think of was "Dear Mama" by Tupak Shakur. And while the majority of the lyrics don't really speak to my reality (e.g. "it was hell, huggin on my mama from a jail cell"), others really speak to the intrinsic and unbreakable bond that we feel with our mom ("and when it seems that I'm hopeless, you say the words that can get me back in focus").

There are these underlying truths between mother and child that are at the same time universal and unique. It is in the interpretation and application of these truths that we carve out our own beautiful relationships. God attaches mothers and their children with strings of love and understanding, and as we grow the strings are stretched taught, but that is when the most beautiful tones are drawn.

I am so blessed to have my mother's example set before me. It is the example of how to dedicate your life to bettering the world, one skinned knee at a time; it is the example of how to build and maintain a God-centered household; it is the example of knowing when to turn the other cheek, and when to slap back to protect your family; and it is the example of selfless love that stands in the background, supporting the people in the spotlight. But today, mommy, and always - my spotlight is on you. Everything that I am, you carved with your love, your lullabies, your made-up games and sweet nature. Everything wonderful that I do lives in you and with you. Every person that I touch in a meaningful way is a reflection of the care and love that you instilled in me. Thank you so much for your loving example.



I am also blessed with a beautiful mother-in-law, Helen, who has nurtured a wonderful family that I am proud to be part of. She has raised a son who is both strong and confident and gentle and sensitive. Everytime I see him tearing up at a sweet movie, tending to our puppies, or helping our neighbors I see Helen's generous spirit and thank God for her. Dominick's confidence, wisdom, and strong sense of morality is such a wonderful testament to the values that Helen raised her boys with.
Dominick tells me so many crossroad stories - stories that, to him, are anecdotes of his mischievious youth. But in between the laughs, I hear his mother's guiding hand, making sure he didn't travel too far down that road. It is inspiring to know the quiet strength that guided our lives, and still does in many ways. There is no way to thank someone for raising your husband; to acknowledge how someone's life work has enriched my life in a way that I could never imagine; the only appropriate display of generosity is the pledge to "pay it forward" in some way.

True appreciation is in the continuation of our family traditions, and in ensuring that our children and their children know the stories, lessons, and values that our parents taught to us. We must also be sure that our parents know our love and appreciation for them daily, not just on "Hallmark Holidays"....I think they do...

Happy (belated) Mothers' Day, to our mommies and to all mommies in our immediate and extended families!