Creighton University - Best College - Education - US News

Creighton University - Best College - Education - US News

Mrs. Custeau

Mrs. Custeau

When I was growing up, I practically lived at my best friend Michelle's house. When her Mom died this July 2010, I thought about all of those times. I had so many great memories there. I remember sitting in their kitchen on Sunset Avenue, convening around that table and talking about all of life's mysteries: college, boys in general, but specifically those handsome brothers who lived across the street from the Custeaus, and, of course, faith. This family was so different from my family, but I loved everything about being there: their passionate debates, their humorous anecdotes from Dad Custeau's life on the road as a fertilizer salesman, their exotic home cooking and all that they could do. Dad Custeau and Michelle's brothers, my brothers by adoption, Chuck and Tom had their heads under the hoods of their various vehicles (Old Blue, The General...) every weekend when I was there. I am so blessed to have this time with this wonderful family because they too helped to shape me and my perceptions of life. I discovered that I wanted to always learn more about the things I didn't know. I am sure that I bragged to my surrogate family once or twice after I had taken a Continuing Education course on how to do your own tune-ups and had completed my first tune-up. I could sling car lingo with the best of them... well, for that month anyway.

They each had their own gifts and talented they were. Mom Custeau, who would giggle around with us for hours, was the musical one in the family, I think. She was a gifted pianist, and their home was always filled with music. They must have been appalled when I came into their lives... not only can I not sing on key, I am hopeless when it comes to singing the rights words to songs. Yikes! Later, this infectious musical habit became a permanent part of my daily routines whether I am at home or in a car. I am rarely without music. And animals... I was in love with their furry family members. When I moved to Essex in 1978, I was a poor allergic, whimpy thing. By the time I graduated high school, I had fully built up an immunity to animal dander by living at the Custeaus so much. Now, my own family has had and will continue to have many furry friends in our future. Yes, they even sleep in bed with us!

This connection was also truly a learning experience for me when Michelle and I used to study together in high school. I was used to doing my work in silence, sitting at the dining room table and having all of my study items organized out in front of me. My muse Michelle, on the other hand, would study while lying across her bed with the music booming, feet swinging constantly as she would jump up, change the music and sample new songs for me. That was distracting enough while trying to study at Michelle's house. Trying to keep track of those handsome neighbors' comings and goings was even more of a distraction.


Life is like that isn't it. We come in contact with people who leave impressions on us; they leave a little bit of themselves with us, whether we recognize it at the time or not. It really does take a village to raise a child. I only wished I had thanked my villagers more at the time.

I love and will miss you, Mom Custeau. Thank you for everything you have done for me through the years. Thank you for giving me the best friend anyone could have ever asked for. Her compassion, her intelligence, her intuitiveness and even her creepy Vezina premonitions have enriched my life in more ways that I could have ever hoped for. Mom Custeau, may you rest in God's eternal peace!

Colin Fallon: The Graduation Party Tour Finale

STAY

The day of Colin's last High School Graduation Party dawned brightly and beautifully. The party was at the beach pavilion, so we carted everything down there. When we started to set up, there was a squirrel/chipmunk who started hanging around... stalking us really. He was a nervy little booger. Racing up and down the beams of the pavilion, he made us chase him. Although this squirrel picture is from Google images, our chipmunk/squirrel had as much of an attitude. He did provide a lot of comic entertainment...I should try and download his video! He will never be the same after looking down the look the barrel of Mimi's cane!

As people started to arrive, there was so much to catch up. It had been a year since we had seen most everyone and, not only was our time in Vermont coming to an end, Colin's heading off to college signaled the end of an era. Through the years, this group of friends and family have gathered for his birthday and sacramental parties to support him through those rites of passage. Many people have come and some have gone, but this cohort has lifted him up to love and guide him. Those rites of passage were the scaffolding that led him here- Colin is all grown up now.

And Ian is right on his heels...

Thanks to everyone who made it such a special day for Colin! Thanks, Elaine for suggesting I take some pictures! I wish we all could have stayed just a little bit longer and maybe time would have stayed still ...

Stay
by Jackson Browne

Now the seats are all empty
Let the roadies take the stage
Pack it up and tear it down
They're the first to come and the last to leave
Working for that minimum wage
They'll set it up in another town
Tonight the people were so fine
They waited there in line
And when they got up on their feet,
They made the show, and that was sweet,
But I can hear the sound of slamming doors and folding chairs
and that's a sound they'll never know

Now roll them cases and lift them amps
and haul them truses up and get'um up them ramps
'Cause when it comes to moving me,
you know you guys are the champs
but when that last guitar's been packed away,
you know that I still want to play.
So just make sure you got it all set to go
before you come for my piano

But the band's on the bus,
and they're waiting to go.
We gotta drive all night
And do the show in Chicago... or Detroit.
I don't know, we do so many shows in a row.
And these towns all look the same.
we just pass the time in the hotel rooms
and wander around backstage.
Till those lights come up, and we hear that crowd,
and we remember why we came.

Now we got country and western on the bus,
R & B, we got disco in 8-tracks and cassettes in stereo
We've got rural scenes and magazines
And we've got truckers on CB
We got Richard Pryor on the video
We've got time to think of the ones we love
While the miles roll away
but the only time that seems too short is the time that we get to play
People you've got the power over what we do
You can sit there and wait
or you can pull us through.
Come along, sing this song
You know that you can't go wrong
'Cause when that mornin' sun comes beating down
you're gonna wake up in your town
But we'll be scheduled to appear
a thousand miles away from here

People stay just a little bit longer
We want to play -- just a little bit longer
Now the promoter don't mind
And the union don't mind
If we take a little time
And we leave it all behind and sing
One more song
Oh won’t you stay just a little bit longer
Please, please, please say you will
Say you will

Oh won’t you stay just a little bit longer
Oh please, please stay just a little bit more

Now the promoter don’t mind
And the roadies don’t mind
If we take a little time
And we leave this all behind and sing
One more song

Thy Kingdom Come...

Thy Kingdom Come

I have thought a lot about this phrase lately. When I think about it, I reflect on how people love and serve one another and truly make God's Kingdom come into the world. One of our quick side trips this summer was to New Jersey to visit our sister-in-law Sharon. Now the purpose of our trip was supposed to be so that we could show our love for her by helping her with a few projects around the house. Well, we were WRONG! Clearly it was a ruse. Once we got there, despite her ferocious chemotherapy treatments she was in the process of enduring, she wanted US to enjoy the Jersey shore and just be with her. Enjoy each others' company we did!

Our first stop was to do some kayaking... not just any kayaking you understand. Kayaking behind Bon Jovi's house... Okay... okay... this picture of the back of his house was from Google, we can't kayak and take pictures at the same time, but still how cool was that! We love Bon Jovi.. his music and his causes. Check out his/their website at bonjovi.com or his foundation website jonbonjovisoulfoundation.org/ In partnership with St. Joseph's Carpenter Society they have helped build/rebuild homes in Camden, New Jersey for working class folks. Loving and serving others... Thy will be done.

Our next stop was the boogie boarding beach. Now, since Sharon wasn't in any shape to boogie board, I had to do it for her. Here comes another word equation: Pam + boogie board = sand burns. Who knew sand could burn? Okay... probably all of you did except me. I did not see that big mammoth wave coming, but apparently there was a big bulls eye on my back! The wave picked me up and threw me up (threw up me?) on the beach. I am still finding sand weeks later. Laughed... I laughed so hard.

The most powerful part of our visit had to be dinner. We spent hours around the dinner table (as usual) and watched a magnificent storm sweep across the water. The bright lights of New York City vanished and reappeared as the tempest subsided. Sharon began talking about September 11, 2001 and how, when she and my brother-in-law Dana saw that the terrorists had attacked, they went down to the harbor. They grabbed first aid supplies and extra blankets. She said that when commuter boats started evacuating victims from New York City, the city of Atlantic Highlands had emergency procedures in place. Sharon was helping people around the decontamination chamber- being Christ's light in a dark, troubled time and tragic place. Even as Sharon told the story, there was a triumphant radiance in her eyes. All of these wounded and dazed people came together and got busy helping one another. And she was grateful. She was grateful that she could do something meaningful during this horrific tragedy to make a difference in the world.

I think that is exactly what The Lord's Prayer is all about, isn't it? It also reminds me of what my Word Among Us meditation said the other day- "Scripture tells us to 'serve one another through love' (Galatians 5:13), to 'strive for peace with everyone' (Hebrews 12:14), and to use our God-given gifts to take care of each other (1 Peter 4:10).

When I grow up, I want to be like my sister-in-law Sharon. Amen!

Picture Puzzles...

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No Rest for Blue Jays and Eagles!

No Rest for Cardinals, Blue Jays or Eagles!

No sooner had we returned from Hawaii than it was time for Colin's orientation at Creighton. I have to say that we are in love with Creighton University, and I pray that this is a love affair that never dies! Their attention to detail is inspiring. Their student centeredness is awesome. The environment seems so personal. Colin received his roommate match, but Mitchell from Texas was going to attend a different orientation. Shucks!

I hope Colin loves it as much as we do...

..... and before he had time to say... "Blue Jays"... he received another call!

Colin didn't have a chance to recover from his Creighton orientation on July 6th and 7th before he received word that his Eagle Board of Review would be on Thursday night, July 8th. Yikes... this was a moment, he had worked toward for many years, and all of a sudden it was here. Ian and I were pacing the floor at the cabin in Vermont (which was probably a lot better for Colin than pacing the floor in Norfolk). Finally, we got word... Colin had passed with flying colors!

Hip, Hip, Hurray! We are all proud of you, Colin.

Old Lahaina Luau: Traditional Hula and Feast

Old Lahaina Luau: Traditional Hula and Feast

My Sister Pattie and I could not think of a more appropriate way to end our Hawaiian adventures than to go to the Old Lahaina Luau. It was amazing. Not only was the buffet meal incredible, it was really a theater presentation about many of the Hawaiian traditions that come from historical events or their faith lives. We arrived early and made our way around the exhibitions. Some young men and women were learning to Hula, while others clustered around the pig that was roasting underground in a "imu" - the Hawaiian underground beachside oven. (Clint and Syd, your hog at Colin's graduation party was WAY better!) They also served Laulau, which are described as "succulent bundles of pork wrapped in taro leaf", Poi, Ahi (yellow fin tuna), Ogo (seaweed), He'e (octopus), rice, stir fry vegetables, and lots of salads: crab, taro, pohole and salmon.

"Traditionally Hawaiians had many occasions for feasts and celebrations. Whether centered around a seasonal event or a victorious battle, there were often days of preparation for such events. 'Kalo' or 'taro' has always been the staple of the Hawaiian diet. The root of the plant is mashed to make 'poi' and the spinach like leaves are used in the wrapping and steaming of fish and vegetables. The leaves are referred to as 'lu'au' and are used in popular dishes such as 'squid lu'au' and 'chicken lu'au'. Today 'lu'au' has come to mean an informal gathering of people for food and entertainment. The Hawaiian values of laulima - many hands working together, and ho'okipa - hospitality, are important aspects describing the work of the preparation for a lu'au and the importance of 'welcoming guests' in the Hawaiian culture. Indeed, these ingredients are important parts of the Old Lahaina Lu'au experience as well" (www.oldlahainaluau.com).

The evening's performances were riveting! First, it began with Ote'a, a tribute to the drum. Next came Kahiko, which all relate to stories from Hawaiian mythology. Next came a testament to the missionary era in Hawaii's history. "After being 'banned' by the missionaries, hula was performed publicly for the first time in more than half a century at the King's coronation ceremony in 1883" (www.oldlahainaluau.com). Next came the Auana which focused on the more modern aspects of hula... BeachBoys' style. This would have been my husband's favorite part. The finale was a fast-paced dance off which had dancers showcasing their amazing talents. I was moved by the beauty and faith that corresponded with this art form and communication style.

Love and hospitality permeated this island for us. Wherever we wandered when we were on Maui, people said and showed aloha. "Aloha in the Hawaiian language means affection, love, peace, compassion and mercy. Since the middle of the 19th century, it also has come to be used as an English greeting to say goodbye and hello. Currently, it is mostly used in the sense of hello; however, it is used as the above. It is also the state nickname of Hawaii, the 'Aloha State'" (wikipedia).

What an inspirational place, a gracious people and a magical time in our lives. By the time we left, Maui had become a part of us. The warm sunny beaches will be in our hearts and minds during our blinding Nebraska blizzards. The humble hospitality is what I hope to embody the most someday. Peaceful, gentle, yet so very happy... and that brings me back to our precious, little Addie, and her miraculous birth on July 4, 2010.

As the finale was unwinding at the Luau, the narrator said that it is a Hawaiian tradition for a family to have a luau on a baby's first birthday. I think that would be a wonderful way to celebrate Addie's first birthday along with her parents Brian and Katrina, Ben and Caitlin's first anniversary and the legacy of my Mom and Dad's anniversary of July 4th. Addie missed Uncle Ben and Aunt Cait's wedding in Hawaii, but she scored big time by being born on her great Grandparents' anniversary date. The story of her birth will forever be merged with the lore of their love!