Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Empty chairs at empty tables...

Last year in reflection of the 5th anniversary of the tragedy that took place at my beloved Alma Mater I wrote this and while at the time those words felt like they would forever illustrate how I felt on that tragic day, it appears that the tragedies that have happened since have re-opened the wounds and have caused me to step back and reflect, sadly, yet again. 

Terrible things seem to keep happening; innocent lives have been lost in the most innocent of places – a movie theater, a city-wide race, on Main Street, in schools…

We are losing family, friends, co-workers, classmates, and children and what confounds me most of all is we are losing them at the hands of family, friends, co-workers, classmates, and children…how can this be?  We can talk all day about the weapons used and the, perhaps, unnecessary access to them, but what are *we* doing to ensure that our family, friends, co-workers, classmates, and children are happy, healthy and well?  If there is one thing I’m certain of, it’s that every one of us has an obligation to one another. When will we recognize that the way we treat others, regardless of how well we know them, makes a lasting impact? A lifelong friendship can be as impactful as a simple act of kindness to a stranger…of this I am certain.

We hear about awareness. We should be aware of our luggage in an airport, of suspicious objects in a train station, strange packages in a building and yet how often are we asked to be aware of those around us? The student sitting by themselves at lunch, the co-worker constantly distracted, or the passenger on the metro sad and crying? We've all come in contact with them and we've all been guilty of turning a blind eye.

In memory of the 26 lives lost in Sandy Hook, the lives taken in Boston yesterday, the 12 lost in Colorado, the 32 Hokies lost, and all the other innocent souls taken by senseless acts I vow to be aware of those around me and to make a concerted effort to be kinder, more generous, and more forgiving.

Six years ago I would have thought that there could be nothing worse than what happened on my campus and yet I was sorely mistaken. When will it end, when will we finally put the arguments and debate aside and look deeper to find a common cause and purpose? We’re already too late…

There’s a grief that can’t be spoken, there’s a pain goes on and on…Empty chairs at empty tables…now my friends are dead and gone…here they sang about tomorrow…and tomorrow never came…

In the table in the corner, they could see a world reborn and they rose with voices ringing and I can hear them now…the very words that they have sung…became their last communion…in this lonely barricade….

There’s a grief that can’t be spoken, there’s a pain goes on and on…

Empty chairs at empty tables where my friends will meet no more…

Oh my friends, my friends don’t ask me, what your sacrifice was for…

Empty chairs at empty tables where my friends will sing no more…

Monday, April 15, 2013

A very happy Easter...

While I much prefer Easter to fall in April, we still had a wonderful day and the weather, while not very spring like, was at least warm enough to allow everyone to wear their new Easter duds. 

Adam and Olivia were adorable in their seer sucker outfits.  The adults couldn't hold a candle to them, but we tried! :)  




After missing church last year due to pink eye, I was happy to be able to bring Adam along.  He was pretty well behaved just a bit antsy towards the end, but then who isn't?!  He even remembered some of what was said, of course it was the part where Father Arty wished everyone a day full of candy! :) Hey, he gets points regardless! 

We then got home and let the kids go hunting for their hidden Easter baskets.  The Easter Bunny treated Adam very well, but I like to think he deserved it, he is a really good boy (most of the time.) 




We enjoyed a great brunch with my family and then headed over to visit Poppy (we missed Ommy who was in Florida).  We spent the afternoon making Great Grandma Helen's saffron rolls and playing with some of the new puzzles Adam received in his basket.  We ended our day with a great Easter feast. 


A wonderful day filled with family, treats, and a celebration of hope.





Sunday, April 14, 2013

Easter Egg Hunt with Blake...


The Easter Bunny started his work early this year. He hopped on over to Blake's house on Easter Eve and set up a an egg hunt. He even left a little note and some Easter pictures to color. 



Adam and Blake were so excited and had so much fun hunting for eggs. They were each so thrilled with every egg they found and were even helping each other find the eggs, which was most impressive. As if they weren't happy enough with the hunt the discovery that the eggs had CHOCOLATE and MONEY in them was enough to put them over the edge! 







So much fun.  Thanks Easter Bunny (and Erica...) ;) 

Lake Anna...once again...


It's been three years since we last visited Lake Anna so our camping trip there last month was long overdue. We were excited to introduce Adam to our beloved State Park where many memories have been made (here, here and here to name a few.) 

As much as we enjoyed our time staying in the cabins, something we did quite often in the past, I must say that our camping site was probably the nicest we've ever had.  Flat, spacious, and private - the perfect trifecta!


Adam loved having so much space to run around and play. He enjoyed filling up his truck with the rocks and had fun playing with his new baseball bat (thanks Ommy!) As a bonus we got to decorate Easter Eggs, another Lake Anna tradition over the years (see here and here)









Liddy felt like she was home again and while she never got wet, I think just seeing the lake again made her happy. 



Andy and I found ourselves reminiscing about all our previous trips there and agreed we wouldn't let another three years pass before visiting again. Besides, the wine is too good, we'll need to go back soon for more!


Wednesday, April 3, 2013

St. Patty's Day fun...

Once again the presence of little ones has proven to greatly enhance a somewhat mid-level holiday.  Sure St. Patty's Day has seen it's share of big celebrations, a few in college and then those right out of college years where we were still pretending like we were in college, but lately its really just been another day with an excuse to eat corned beef and cabbage and wear green.  

However this year we jazzed the day up a bit by getting the kids involved.  Adam was adamant that everyone wear green - even making Grandma change her shirt - and was thrilled to find himself drinking GREEN milk for dinner! 

We also set up a St. Patty's Day after nap activity and I'd say the kids nailed it!  What adorable rainbows they made and I'd like to think these sweet angles are our proverbial "pot of gold" at the end of the rainbow. 






Lucky...yep, that's what we are.