the wedding “chapel”

wedding chapel

Had time to quickly take these shots and share them with you. This is our sanctuary (my day job is a worship pastor) where our youngest daughter will be married. We had fun decorating and time with family and friends is just priceless…so grateful…

wedding chapel2

 

happy father’s day

my parents

My mom and dad…. two precious treasures in my life…. today I want to honor my dad…this is a bit long, so bear with me.

As far as I know, my dad has never won an award. In my heart, the trophy case of awards for my dad would have to be ten stories tall – there are so many! I’ll share a few with you:

Here is the award for his hard work and sacrifice. For most of his life he worked three or more jobs, waking up in the dark, coming home after dark… providing with all his might for our family. In more ways than one, he is the strongest man I know. Thank you dad…for your sacrifice and all it taught me.

Here’s another one: the laughter award. Life was not easy for my dad, but he knew how to smile and laugh so hard…. tears of laughter were common. I may never know how deep that well of laughter is…he is still drawing from it. Thanks for the smiles dad and for teaching me to enjoy family and friends until tears from laughing flow.

Oh look! Here’s the commitment award. My dad’s love for my mom is towering, immovable and exemplary. I find it difficult to explain his love for my mom, only because it is so rare and precious. Vows to love in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow… sometimes I think my parents were the original authors of those vows…their love is so enduring. It’s by no means perfect….well… like the time they had an argument that resulted in my dad locking himself in the bathroom, which, turned a frightening tear filled moment for all us young boys into – yup – laughter. You have no idea how grateful I am for your committed love for mom. I love you so much for that.

He was not the perfect dad, but God brought to my life the perfect dad to teach me, mold me and guide me. The Lord was kind to send me a flawed, loving, giving man whose heart of kindness and love is still speaking into my life. I love you dad. I hope I can live, love and sacrifice – with all my flaws – just like you did.

soren smiles

What can I say? I love being a grandpa!

soren smile

 

soren smile 3

 

soren smile 2

side by side

side by side

My last image (for now) from a trip to Puerto Rico with my folks back in 2013. This is to honor mom and dad…. side by side for over 50 years. Their love strong…their union impenetrable… their commitment exemplary… I am so grateful to call them mom and dad and for the legacy of love and companionship they have given me.

riverside family

riverside family

the family at 31st beach

the family at 31st beach

It was a beautiful, warm day… one of those days when Winter and Spring have a tug of war… in the brief moments between parking the car and taking this picture, winter gathered all the wind she could from above the cold lake, and with all her might, threw it on to the shore. Poor Spring just didn’t see it coming. In other news, all of our kids will be home today to celebrate Mother’s Day. Have a great week everyone!

in a quiet moment

quiet moment

in a quiet moment

rope bridge

rope bridge

This is the amazing suspension rope bridge at Maggie Daley Park in Chicago. This park is a stunning play place for kids. The bridge is a wonder to see, play in, slide down from and walk on!

my mom

my mom

The back story of this photograph: this is my dear mom at her brother’s grave site. He was such a wonderful uncle to me. My mom is the youngest of nine. She has one sister still living. It’s sad for me to see her family and generation pass.

freedom tower

freedom tower

It’s that time of year again… you know… where I go through the images from this past year… delete lots that I will never look at again (or don’t want to look at again) and find a few that ask me to take a second look. This is one of them. Taken earlier this year when I was in New York with my oldest son, visiting my elderly parents. It was a cold, cloudy, damp and dark day… but it didn’t matter. I was sharing time with my son and my dear parents…