Not sure who loved whom more.

Mac has been my big boy for 15 years.  He and his brother Sammy were with me when I was young, single and nearly broke as a reporter in Nashville. The 3 of us made to the move to a bigger job in Indianapolis. They were there after tough days of covering devastation and there when I couldnt get home for the holidays because I had to work. Sammy passed from cancer when I was first pregnant with Johnny.  Mac was never quite the same.  He spent weeks roaming our home and opening up various doors (he was talented like that) looking for his lost brother.  Then came Johnny and later Ali.  Those changes were stressful on him as my time with him changed too.  Mac has not been the best cat. He would occsionally opt out of the litter boxes. He would only drink running water from a faucet, preferred cooked chicken, tuna, or treats. And for the last several months at night,  he would howl, waking everyone up. The vet said he was perfectly healthy, physically. But at 15, he was anxious. So I had to give him a daily anti-psychotic.  Very quickly after that he dropped a ton of weight, stopped bathing and would just stare in to space. But you can't suddely stop those meds. So, back at the vet, I prayed to God that he make a decision clear about what could be done.  Nothing could be done. I will always wonder if it was the medication or the stress of having to take it that caused him to go in to renal failure. I was with him as he went on to be with his brother and other childhood pets. He has been a part of my history and so that has been difficult to handle as my history is all over the country with no true home, until now.  It's so strange how  little beings come in to our lives, we love them and end up doing whatever is needed for them and then we suffer the heartache when they go.  Yet, we somehow step up and do it all over again.  I am not there yet.  I still cannot manage to get his ashes from the vet, so John will have to do that. And the kids seemed to be fairly resilient about it at first. Answering their many questions was not fun, by any means.  But Ali has her moments too.  Out of nowhere it hits her.  Last week I found her in a bathroom crying because she doesn't know how to stop missing him and neither do I.

Glammed Up!

This weekend John and I attended the annual and very lovely Cove Gala benefitting the Cove School. The amazing facility works with children from several surrounding counties who have various types of behavioral or learning disabilities. It is truly magical how Cove transforms a child’s life and future by helping them learn in unique ways so they can reintegrate into “regular,” schools and even continue on to college. We were there to celebrate our neighbors who were honored with the, “Prism Award.”  They've done outstanding work on behalf of the school and the benefits are helping so many children and their families now and in years to come.   My favorite girl, or I should say, young woman, Jane, is one of those students and I've known her as long as I have lived here.  We’ve watched her grow in to such an incredible person.  I can't wait to see what lies in store for her as she will begin college in the fall.  So proud of you Jane!
1) Jane and me
2) Our neighbors, the Prism Award recipients. 

The Future's So Bright...

Picture of panel I was invited on behalf of CASA to take part in an innaugural event with the Schuler Scholar program. The program was started by a former CEO of Abbott and his daughter. It focuses on high schools along the north shore from around Evanston



The students preparing for our panel discussion about internships and non-profits.

to the Wisconsin line. In junior high, they begin searching for the brightest students who may not have the means to access a higher education. (I was told last year Standford accepted 4 students from Waukegan H.S.-a first for ANY H.S.) They help them prepare for the top colleges and universities in the classroom and out in the real world. It could be working on the applications, attending leadership camps or a briefing on which fork to use when out to dinner. They began this when they found many of the under-resourced students would get to college and drop out because they felt overwhelmed by the social details. So, now the program makes sure that when the students do get in to the Ivy Leagues etc, they feel like they fit. The hope is that someday these scholars will return home and help another student in need of access. So today I, along with a dozen other reps from organizations, met with 60 of these scholars. It was a chance for them to work on their networking and interview skills with us. And it was a chance for US to find some possible interns looking for connections. They were so kind and interested in what CASA does for abused and neglected children. Several had their own personal stories to share with me about being placed in foster care. Every one of these scholars is proof the future is looking bright.

Christmas Eve

We then spent Christmas Eve with my in-laws and neices and nephews. We are a bigger family this year with the weddings of Margaret and John Kelly. The more the merrier! It seems like yesterday that we had to pack along a nuch of diapers, bottles, a baby monitor and the works for when Johnny and Ali were just babies. Now instead of spending time packing up the truck for Hinsdale, we spend it with Ali selecting the perfect dress and explaining to Johnny why he has to wear the fancy pants. Ha! And my homemade Limmoncello. And it was at last time to say goodbye to "Tito," the elf. Thank God.  I cannot tell you how many times I found myself racing him around in the morning after he had been forgotten the night before. He spent the last month fishing, riding plastic horses, getting into cookies...I need to boost my creative reserves for next year.

Her Legacy Will Live on.

Ellie Kate "EK," was that very special girl who touch the lives of so many people she had never even met. She was born with a rare terminal genetic disease called NKH for short. Her parents (met and got to know  her incredible mom, Ryan, in 2007)  have been her champions for her seven years here as she has been in and out of the hospital. She loved music and to smile. And when she was called to go home, she did so surrounded by her brothers, sister and parents. I cannot imagine a worse heart break than that of losing a child. But I do believe EK is now free from pain and dancing above as she watches over her brothers and sister. This collage was created by her grandfather.

Tough Decisions!

This weekend I flew down to Tennessee to serve as a judge for the Mrs. Tennessee America pageant. I have gotten to know the state director, Delayna Bridges, over the past few years and I adore this woman. She is such a kick in the pants and so upbeat! It was also a perfect excuse to see a few of my favorite girlfriends from Nashville. Let me tell you just how impressed I was with every single contestant! Each lady was so polished and well-spoken and each was a complete package. Congratulations to every contestant and to the new Mrs. Tennessee America, Marlena Bohanon!

1)Mrs. Tennessee America 2013 2)Monette Bryant (TN '10)was a hoot at nationals. 3)We judges, Terra Tucker (TN '01), me and Mallie Nagle (TN '99)met with Marlena to give her our insight and advice for her year. 4)Paige Bennett's (TN '04)husband is in the final stages of MS and a fundraiser was held that night for the family. Her family's story is heartbreaking and she is so inspiring. 5)Kerri McMillin (MS '10)entertained the crowd with her fantastic voice. She is such a jem. 6)My girlies!

Making Progress

Tonight I was invited to help with a fundraising event on behalf of the Partners for Progress organization. They provide equine therapy to individuals with disabilities. by working with horses, riders are able to improve physical, mental, emtional and cognitive abilities. And they now have a program which works with military veterans who have been injured or suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. The Denim and Diamonds Doe Down was held at Arlington race track and several of us ladies helped with the raffle and auction items which included the cutest black lab puppy! It was wonderful to see everyone again as it gave us a bit of a chance to catch up in person.

1)Robin, Christine, Claudia, Jennifer and me. 2)Ready to sell those raffle tickets! 3)Getting ready for the live auction.