Finger Lakes Frolic

 Seven Quick Takes (vol. 16 )

Every year we take some sort of family vacation during the summer months, and sometimes our destination is determined by a major event such as a wedding or an ordination. Last year we traveled to New Orleans for my cousin's priestly ordination to the Jesuit's Society of Jesus. The year before that we had won Disney tickets in a silent auction, and the year before that Andy was best man in a wedding in North Dakota. (That was quite an adventure that took us through 15 states!)

This year's vacation was back to my home state of New York for my brother's wedding in the beautiful Finger Lakes region. However, this was not our first stop. Here is a quick take on our week away from the usual routine.

1)  Monday - Travel all day to Gettysburg, PA. Philip is a Civil War fanatic, and this stop was especially for him. (Although by the time we left Gettysburg, I was feeling it as well). We checked into our hotel, then wandered through the shops and bought souvenirs. We saw an awesome diorama of the battle of Gettysburg, complete with a light and sound show explaining the three day battle.


2) Tuesday - I dropped Andy, Kevin and Ania off at Segtours of Gettysburg where they embarked on a three hour tour of the battlefield via segways. This was quite easily one of the highlights of Kevin and Ania's week. Since Philip and Lucia didn't meet the age and weight requirement to participate in this tour, I hired a tour guide to show us around the battlefield in our own van. Philip was so enthusiastic, engaging our guide at every turn. So she tailored our tour for Philip (who by the way could answer every question she asked). This was most definitely a top pick-of-the-week for Philip.

Memorial to the 20th Maine
On Little Round Top

Memorial to General Longstreet



We left Gettysburg mid afternoon and headed to Hershey Park to finish out the day. There we split up into roller coaster riders (Andy, Kevin, Ania, Philip) and roller coaster avoiders (Lucia and me). A severe thunderstorm and tornado watch brought our evening to a halt sooner than expected.










On our way out of Harrisburg the rain was torrential and the lightning was striking every three seconds. It was nerve-racking to say the least, especially when I found myself between an 18 wheeler and a concrete wall during a blinding down pour. When we stopped at a gas station to ask where the nearest hotel was, we were given the choice of 1 1/2  hours ahead, or 30 minutes back into the storm. We opted to keep going. About 30 miles down the road we found a reputable name motel so we stayed. Quite frankly, though, it was the creepiest experience I've ever had at a motel. We definitely shook the dust from our sandals as we left that place!


3) Wednesday and Thursday - We stayed with some dear friends on Canandaigua Lake during all the wedding festivities. We played euchre, sailed the sunfish, kayaked, swam in the lake, and golfed. What a fun, relaxing time spent with wonderful friends!




When two optometrists wed...

4) Friday - Wedding rehearsal at Garrett Memorial Chapel on the bluff of Keuka Lake, then rehearsal dinner back in Canadaigua. We put on lots of miles in what could be one of the most beautiful regions in the northeast. Time spent with family and friends is priceless!



5) Saturday - Wedding bells were ringing as my brother and his beautiful bride exchanged vows. Then we were off to Honeoye Falls for the reception. Again, lots of twisting turning roads laden with vineyards and corn fields. We drove past Honeoye Lake on our way to a "between party" on Canadice Lake before heading on up to the reception. Fun was had by all.





Stuck in Jail
During Kick the Can

6) Sunday - Saying goodbye to our dear friends was hard to do. We attended Mass in Canandaigua, bought some of their annual chicken barbecue, then headed to the Abbey of the Genesee in Piffard where my uncle was having  his visiting day. We stayed in the guest house with other out-of-town relatives, and all the overnighters played kick-the-can until dusk. This was quite entertaining and sometimes dangerous as adults, high schoolers, and elementary children were all highly engaged in "freeing" the prisoners.


7) Monday - Once again, saying goodbye was difficult. We left the monastery and drove back to Canadice Lake to say goodbye to my parents before making the long trek back to Georgia. We caught glimpses of Conesus and Hemlock Lakes as we wound our way through the hills.

On our way home we reminisced about all the fun times we had, and the segways came up more than once, as did the beautiful wedding. Thank you, Jesus, for a WONDERFUL vacation and for a BEAUTIFUL addition to our family!

Have a blessed week and add your own quick takes here.

Two If By Candlelight

Upon returning home from a meeting tonight, our children had a nice romantic surprise waiting...

...classical music was playing low, candlelight was flickering, while the scent of their burning mixed with the aroma of fresh sprigs of rosemary. Fresh peaches were sliced and arranged neatly in a bed of sweet, creamy fruit dip, topped with fresh rosemary and chocolate filled pirouettes. Mr. Darcy couldn't have done any better for his lovely bride, Miss Elizabeth Bennett.

Thank you, Ania, Philip and Lucia, for a lovely touch to cap off our evening!

I Do

Weddings are one of my favorite things, and Robert and Johanna's was glorious! Everything was perfect from the last minute hand-beaded fix of the wedding gown, all the way to the gentle breeze on a picture perfect day.

Seventeen years ago Johanna was only twelve years old when she was a bridesmaid in my own wedding. She was too tall to be a junior bridesmaid, so she was upgraded to an older style dress and heels. I still remember her practicing in those heels so she wouldn't trip down the aisle.


When she asked me to be one of her bridesmaids, I tried to tell her I was too old, but she wouldn't hear of it. I'm glad she insisted, because standing next to my own thirteen year old daughter on the altar was just about the neatest experience. It isn't every day that a mother gets to be a bridesmaid with her daughter. Oh, what fun we had.

In fact our whole family was up on the altar. Andy was one of Robert's groomsmen, Lucia was one of Johanna's junior bridesmaids, while Kevin and Philip served at Mass. I must say that we were all proud and honored to be asked to participate in their special day.


Robert and Johanna's ceremony was beautiful! Our dear priest friend, Fr.Ted, celebrated Mass while on his annual visit home from Nairobi, Kenya. Fr. Ted is such a WONDERFUL witness to the love of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. He made the Sacrament of Marriage come alive for all present, as he reminded us all that we were about to witness the miracle of God taking two people and creating one.


God certainly was smiling down on Robert and Johanna as they exchanged their vows, because their "I do" to God's Will started long before this day.

So now, with Johanna off on her honeymoon, the house just isn't the same. When she moved in with us almost two years ago, I was just beginning my long road of breast cancer treatment. She was a God send for sure. She has been a wonderful younger sister to me, and an older sister to my children. Her room, which we cleaned out earlier this week, isn't the only empty space she has left behind.

But, as I witnessed the powerful Sacrament of Marriage only a few short days ago, I realized that it isn't just the bride and groom who said, "I do."

"I do" stand by you as you begin this journey of married life.
"I do" commit to praying for you and your new family.
"I do" promise to let God fill your empty room with the next person He sends our way.
"I do" let you have your way with me, dear God, so that others may learn of your love.
"I do"...

50th Anniversary is Golden

My parents recently celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary without any hoopla or fanfare. They simply spent the day together at their lake cottage, relaxing in each other's company.

Last year, however, was quite another story!

The planning began the year before, with my brothers and sisters-in-law at the helm. I remember the night my youngest brother called, asking for input concerning Mom and Dad's party. I knew it was coming, and I wanted to be excited, but I had to tell my brother that I wasn't sure if I would even be able to attend. I had just received my diagnosis for breast cancer, and my treatment plan wouldn't be determined until after surgery. I was looking at possibly a year of treatment, and Mom and Dad's anniversary was only 10 months away.

Well, as it turned out, I had nothing to fear. They pulled off the biggest surprise party our parents have ever received, and I was able to be a part of it after all, since the worst part of my treatment ended six weeks prior to the party.

The pavilion where we waited to surprise
Mom and Dad, and Mike's devious little sign
to divert any suspicions.

The plan was amazing. My brothers put together a list of invitees that would span the years of Mom and Dad's life together. There were friends from their high school days, Dad's stock car racing days, old neighborhoods as well as new. There were farmer friends and musician friends and cousins, siblings, children and grandchildren. We all gathered in a nicely decorated park pavilion and waited for a cleverly master-minded plan to bring Mom and Dad within feet of the large garage door. Then, at the appointed time the door was raised, and Mom and Dad were reeling from shock as we shouted, "Happy Anniversary!"

We enjoyed a lovely dinner prepared by my sisters-in-law, live bluegrass music, wonderful fellowship and a slide show to end all slide shows put together by my brother John and his girlfriend Sara. We all gave up another cheer when John announced that Sara had agreed to be his wife earlier that same day.

How wonderful it is to be given the opportunity to honor parents who have lived out their marriage vows for 50 years, and at the same time raise a toast to their youngest son who is preparing to take this same journey.

I'd say it was a GOLDEN opportunity!

And congratulations to everyone who pulled off such a wonderful tribute to such a wonderful couple. I cannot say, "Thank you," enough!

  

Happy Anniversary!

Forty-two years ago today, a tall, dark and handsome man married a spunky, petite brunette and together they raised four lively, lovely children, two boys and two girls. The family continued to grow as their children began starting families of their own, and five grandchildren appeared on the scene; five wonderful, adorable grandchildren.

Over the years, their empty bedrooms have been filled again with aging parents, aunts, and uncles. Never becoming self-absorbed, never worried about their "space," they have always welcomed people into their lives.

It is my honor to call this couple Mom and Dad Hatfield. They are the ones who raised my husband, and formed him into the wonderful man that he is. They are the ones who call me daughter, and love my children effortlessly.

Yes, I do have my own set of wonderful parents whom I love very dearly, but I do not have to choose between them. I can love them both, just as having my second child did not diminish my love for the first. It only expanded my  heart's ability to love more deeply.


So, happy anniversary to my second set of parents! May Jesus bless you with many more happy years together!

Don't Settle for Auto Pilot

Back in 2006 I remember reaching a point in my marriage where I was on auto pilot. Yes, I loved Andy with all my heart, but my decade of child bearing had depleted my "in-love" feelings toward my husband. My life consisted of young children, toddlers and babies who needed me, and as far as I was concerned, Andy was an adult who could fend for himself.

I even remember being in a small group setting one time, when the topic of death came up. "If any of my children died, God forbid, I don't know what I'd do," I remember saying, "but if Andy died, well, I guess I'd do the right thing and go to his funeral."

That's when I realized I needed help. My marriage is the most important relationship in my life, and if I don't fight for it, who will? He deserved better than what I had become.

I began to cry out in earnest to God for His great mercy on me and my marriage. It's not that I would ever leave, that thought never entered my mind. It's just that I didn't want a mediocre marriage. I wanted a great marriage.

I began reading a book by Stormie Omartian called, The Power of a Praying Wife. Apparently she had gone through similar feelings at some point during her marriage. She too hit a point where she realized her husband deserved more than she had become.

Her prayer was, "God, give my husband a new wife, and let it be me." God honored her prayer and changed her heart.

Wow! That's what I wanted! That's what I needed!

So I began to pray the same prayer in all earnest. "God, give Andy a new wife, and let it be me."

I still remember the moment that God answered my prayer. We were walking out in the woods looking for different plants for a project that Kevin had at school. Andy reached up to pull a branch down when all of a sudden my heart fluttered, and I thought, "Wow, he's kind of cute!"

And I still think that to this day!

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, a day set apart in the Catholic Church to beg God's forgiveness of sins for ourselves and those of the whole world. And although the graces are especially abundant today to seek forgiveness, we don't have to wait until this day to do it.

God is longing to pour out His Divine Mercy on all of our situations, especially the ones that may seem hopeless to us. He wants to heal our broken hearts and bring joy where there is sorrow. What is your heart cry? What can you bring to the throne of God with expectant faith?

Let God work a miracle in your life.

Celebrating 17 Years

Andy and I celebrated 17 years of marriage on Saturday.

It came at a very busy time this year, sandwiched between a scout camp out, science fair, and our packing to go out of town for the Charismatic Leaders Fellowship.

However, we managed to take some advice that we heard from a priest friend, and devote a couple hours to each other Saturday evening.

First, we attended Mass together, followed by a quick rush home to transfer a load of laundry from the washer to the dryer.

Then we went out to our favorite local Mexican restaurant for dinner, where we could just sit and breath deeply. We were both so tired we could have fallen asleep in the booth waiting for our food.

On our way home, we stopped by the corner pharmacy to grab a few essentials for our trip, and lingered at the greeting card section. We perused the cards for a few minutes, each of us hoping to find the perfect one that captured the sentiments of our hearts. When we were sure we found it, we exchanged them, read them, and let the words sink in. Then we thanked and hugged each other before returning the cards to the rack, purchased our items and drove home.

The important thing is not how big or great or deep your gift is, it is how big and great and deep your unity runs.

Here's to you, Honey! Thank you for a wonderful 17 years of unity!