Heading East {Washington DC and New Hampshire}

Grandma Billie took this lovely photo of us at SeaTac Airport at around 4AM.

To sleep or not to sleep? That is the question one asks oneself when a departure from home is scheduled for 1:45AM.  I opted to sleep, being a person who can almost always fall into a deep sleep just as my head hits the pillow, if not sooner.  However, on this night before departure, the whole falling asleep thing didn't quite happen as normal.  So, rather than a few hours of sleep to prepare for the big day, I logged maybe half an hour or so of real sleep, but who's counting?

Paying for two nights parking at SeaTac in the 3's, we were inside the airport and checking in by 4 for our 6AM flights.  Grandma Billie and Grandpa Cliff headed to Washington DC with Joseph and Peter (a Christmas gift); Zachary and I were en route to New Hampshire to visit Thomas More College of Liberal Arts.  With flights departing within minutes of each other, we shared the early morning ride and the joys of passing through airport security together.  After the pat-downs, re-packing of our x-rayed belongings and putting our shoes back on, we said our goodbyes and parted ways.

Enjoying a third breakfast or a first lunch (depending upon the time zone) Zachary strolls along at Chicago's O'Hare between flights.

Met at Manchester, New Hampshire, by the Thomas More College shuttle, Zachary and I embark upon the final leg or our day-long journey to campus.

Due to an annual vocation awareness event at a local Catholic grade school near TMC, the daily Mass schedule had been changed so the priest wouldn't have to bi-locate.  After the marathon day of travel from coast to coast, we landed on campus right as the 5PM Mass began.  If you know me, you know this was truly the highlight of my day!  God is so good!  

Mass in the small, beautiful chapel was followed immediately by a home cooked meal in the cafeteria below.  Italian beef, fancy rice, freshly baked rolls with fresh salad, topped off with self-serve chocolate ice cream for dessert seemed far better fare than the standard institutional-style campus meals.  A professor joined our table just as the conversation had turned to shooting and eating snakes, which somehow segwayed into a fascinating discussion about beauty in liturgy.  Turns out this gifted professor will be speaking at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, in a few days on this very topic, and the insights he shared with us shall be treasured as a highlight of my TMC campus visit.

Ready for his immersion experience into student life at Thomas More College, Zachary surveys the campus.

Through Grief Into Action {3 Tremendous Catholic Mothers}

Anna's family~Sam, Rob, Alice, and Melissa, with Tim 

Presentation of the Family of the Month Award

(News release below)

Turning tragedy into inspiration and positive change, Anna's family is coordinating an effort to improve awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, the cause of little Anna's sudden death while crossing a sidewalk last year.  A new foundation established in Anna's honor will benefit from a Lake Padden walk and a half marathon on October 22, 2011.  Come out and join the walk or run if you're in the neighborhood and need a little exercise for a great cause!   Super-great news from Anna's family: they are expecting a new baby in the spring!!!  Please pray for a healthy pregnancy and safe birthing.

My dear friend Aileen, whose daughter Lucy died of SIDS almost ten years ago, turned her energy toward teaching how to protect infants during sleep and providing comfort and support to families affected by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).  She now serves as the President on the Northwest Infant Survival & SIDS Alliance Board of Trustees. AWESOME.  But she might miss the annual auction... because SHE'S EXPECTING and will likely be giving birth around that very date in November!!

More prayer requests here...

Another dear friend and heroic mother of many, Ann Marie, continues to inspire me with her courage and unbelievable ministry to many despite the loss of her daughter Gianna; born on Tim's birthday almost one year ago, and died on my birthday two weeks later.  Ann Marie's experience with being a foster mom has proved to be an invaluable resource for me in these past few months.  Is she ever quick to reply to my various e-cries for help!  Add more prayers...

The following news release was sent to the Knights of Columbus State Bulletin and to Columbia:

BELLINGHAM COUNCIL 829 PRESENTS AWARD AND SCHOLARSHIP CHECK 
TO FELLOW KNIGHT WHOSE DAUGHTER WAS KILLED IN TRAGIC ACCIDENT

Bellingham Council 829 presented the Family of the Month Award and a $1,000 scholarship check to Brother Robert Brulotte, his wife Melissa, and their children Alice and Sam at a ceremony October 11.

The presentation was made just a year after the tragic death of the Brulottes' two-year-old daughter Anna.  Little Anna was killed when she was crossing a street next to Assumption Catholic School September 30, 2010.  A speeding car slammed into the rear of a stopped car which was waiting for Melissa and her three children to cross.  The stopped auto then hit Anna, who was killed instantly, and her mother, who was seriously injured.  Alice and Sam were unharmed.

In the past year, the Brulottes have established a memorial fund and a program to increase driver awareness.  A fund-raising marathon and walk, to be held October 22, has as its goal to increase drivers' attention, especially when pedestrians are present.   The family also is very active in the school and parish. 

The annual scholarship will help pay tuition for the two Brulotte children until they graduate from Assumption School, then will be given to other deserving students.

In Memory of Anna

Dear Anna,

Your time here with us was so brief~

but just long enough

in God's time.

Our Lord sent His angels

to carry you home to Heaven yesterday

as you skipped along holding mommy's hand.

Pray for her now, and for your daddy

and your brother and sister~

for your Godparents, priests, family and friends...

Pray also for the drivers, officers and responders.

For your prayers are perfect~

baptized child of Jesus!

You will be missed,

but we praise God 

with you, Anna, 

for His plan

~unknown to us~

is perfect in every way.

Anna's story here.

Saint Therese, 

Little Flower of Jesus

Pray for us.