A lot of people approach New Year's Eve by reflecting on the year that is almost at a close. I'm no different. 2011 most certainly had its share (or more!) of challenges, but I prefer to remember the positives. Here goes. Each category is not in any particular order.
Best Books I've Read
1. The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life - Amby Burfoot
2. Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand
3. Lucy - Laurence Gonzales
4. Damned - Chuck Palahniuk
5. 11/22/63 - Stephen King
6. Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero - Chris Matthews
7. The Paris Wife - Paula McLain
8. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Rebecca Skloot
9. Shantaram - Gregory David Roberts
10. Swamplandia! - Karen Russell
11. Andy Warhol: Prince of Pop - Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan
12. In the Garden of Beasts - Erik Larson
Best Races
1. Bloody Reindear Treadmill 5K - 2/6/11 - A quirky race with my buddies that featured wine instead of water and "potato chip" timing.
2. Shamrock Shuffle 8K - 4/10/11 - First race after healing a broken bone in my foot. Did it in walking boot and crossed the finish line hand in hand with my sister Kimmy (her first race)
3. Bunny Run 5K - 4/23/11 - Celebrated John's birthday and Easter weekend-- and llamas!
4. Soldier Field 10 Miler - 5/28/11 - Best race ever, no matter what.
5. Girls on the Run 5K - 6/4/11 - Ran it with my niece Alexis. Hot day!
6. Champions Run 5K - 8/6/11 - Not the smartest thing I ever did. Ran less than 48 hours after oral surgery
7. Race2Base - 9/11/11 - Very special place, very special date, very special people. Crossed the finish line with my niece Kaylee, which was the start of her progression as a runner
8. ZooRunRun 5K - 9/25/11 - My birthday run! Met Heena for the first time and enjoyed running side by side with my sister Teresa, who was recovering from an injury
9. Homecoming 5K - 10/23/11 - Came in third in my age group and had fun representing St. Francis College!
10. Monster Dash 5K - 10/29/11 - Ran as Freddy Krueger!
11. Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 5K - 11/20/11 - Always do well here, always run with my favorite people on a beautiful suburban course.
12. Santa Hustle 5K - 12/3/11 - The inaugural race of the Bloody Reindears!
Most Special Moments
1. Two early-year holidays - New Year's Eve with 7th Heaven and surprising John with a home-cooked dinner on Valentine's Day
2. Summer Fests throughout Chicagoland - Celebrating the beauty and diversity of Chicago and suburban neighborhoods while rocking out to our favorite band, 7th Heaven
3. 4th of July family trip - a long weekend in Gurnee, spending time in Great America and then Great Lakes Naval Base with my sisters and family.
4. Pittsburgh Trip in August - getting to reconnect with Chuck, Ted and Monica and see art and sports in a great little city.
5. Volunteering at Chicago Marathon - manning the 25-mile mark water station with my family was awesome
6. Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup - not since 1972. Wow.
7. Being asked to be Alexis's confirmation sponsor
8. Getting two fantastic new co-workers on the CRM team-- Jason and Yvette
9. Presenting Alexis with a portrait for her 13th birthday
10. Spring/summer/fall at Great America with the family... water park and coasters, wine and Captain 'n Cokes.
11. My beautiful cats. Enjoying every moment with them.
12. Winter break - getting uninterrupted time to spend with John and my family and friends.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Love and loss
My heart is heavy. A year ago today, I lost one of my dearest friends, Suellen. To say that I think about her often would be a gross understatement. She was the person I went to in times of joy-- to share my laughter-- and also in times of distress-- because I knew she would never fail to console me with that practical charm she always showed. Losing her will always affect me. But having had her in my life affects me even more. Please take a minute to look at Sempringham's blog (on my friends blogs list to the left). Bob posted some beautiful pictures of her.
One year later, I'm coping with another impending loss. My 13-year-old cat Sheila was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. All we can do is provide her with palliative care and cherish her in her remaining days. Although she is lethargic and not herself, she is not in pain but we know that when the decline happens, we'll have to do the merciful thing and let her go. It's tearing me apart.
I've cried a lot of tears over the last little while and I'm sure I'll shed some more before it's over. Throughout it all, though, I'm very grateful for my husband John, who is a pillar of strength and solace. He's the "cat whisperer" and I know that this is as difficult for him-- probably even more so-- than it is for me. Still, his is the shoulder that comforts me and the gentle, steady presence who gives me so much love. I'm also blessed with two glorious sisters, Teresa and Kimmy, who know me so well and who nurture me without hesitation. I appreciate so much that they have taken time out of their busy holiday schedules to make sure I get out of the house and smile a bit. Monica and Dean, too, dear friends who have recently endured or are in the process of enduring the same pet challenge that I am, have been unfailingly kind. Thanks to Vince for his heartfelt words, Yvette for listening and Mary for the amazing hugs. All of those around me have shown incredible compassion-- too many to name individually-- and I'm lucky to have them all.
And Suellen. I know she is here with me right now. She's with me every time I flick open my Kindle. Or eat a delicious baked good. Or carefully pick baby corn out of my salad. I can see that knowing smile clearly and it fills me with warmth.
Great love means great sadness. But a life without love would be even more sad. I know that the overwhelming grief that I'm feeling right now will fade in time. And I also know that the love will not. God bless.
One year later, I'm coping with another impending loss. My 13-year-old cat Sheila was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. All we can do is provide her with palliative care and cherish her in her remaining days. Although she is lethargic and not herself, she is not in pain but we know that when the decline happens, we'll have to do the merciful thing and let her go. It's tearing me apart.
I've cried a lot of tears over the last little while and I'm sure I'll shed some more before it's over. Throughout it all, though, I'm very grateful for my husband John, who is a pillar of strength and solace. He's the "cat whisperer" and I know that this is as difficult for him-- probably even more so-- than it is for me. Still, his is the shoulder that comforts me and the gentle, steady presence who gives me so much love. I'm also blessed with two glorious sisters, Teresa and Kimmy, who know me so well and who nurture me without hesitation. I appreciate so much that they have taken time out of their busy holiday schedules to make sure I get out of the house and smile a bit. Monica and Dean, too, dear friends who have recently endured or are in the process of enduring the same pet challenge that I am, have been unfailingly kind. Thanks to Vince for his heartfelt words, Yvette for listening and Mary for the amazing hugs. All of those around me have shown incredible compassion-- too many to name individually-- and I'm lucky to have them all.
And Suellen. I know she is here with me right now. She's with me every time I flick open my Kindle. Or eat a delicious baked good. Or carefully pick baby corn out of my salad. I can see that knowing smile clearly and it fills me with warmth.
Great love means great sadness. But a life without love would be even more sad. I know that the overwhelming grief that I'm feeling right now will fade in time. And I also know that the love will not. God bless.
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