Twinsight 28 of 50: Find the Humor in Every Day

We have one family member who is simply funnier than the rest of us. It's Chloe. While she's smart and talented in a variety of areas, she probably best known for her winsome, fun spirit. She has a good sense of humor, belts out room-filling laughter whenever anyone does or says something that she thinks is remotely funny (or not), and is infamous for naive comments which her friends will attest to.

Recently I was asking my family for ideas for this blog, and Chloe said, "Hey, you haven't done one on me!" So with her permission, here we go. Here's an mere excerpt from the annals of Chloe stories.

Age 1-1/2: The Independent Thinker

During potty training season, I went into the bathroom one day and Chloe had a Barbie suspended over the toilet and was plunging her in and out of the water saying, "BATHROOM, BATHROOM!" Maybe I was pushing her a little too hard get out of diapers? One day I'll probably pay big money to a psychiatrist to work through that early childhood pressure with her. However, shortly after that time she did seek revenge for my pressure. When she did learn to use the potty chair, one night she poured the contents over my shoulders when I was in the bathtub...

Age 2: The Hungry Child

One evening we were at the counter at Culvers ordering our meals, and Chloe wandered over to the eating area. She walked right up to a table with two retired couples, pointed to a French fry on one of the men's plates, and said, "I NEED THAT." We quickly made a bee line for the table to assure her (and the couples) that she would be getting her own food shortly and could stop begging and stealing. But they were so charmed that they wanted to take her home with them.

Age 4: The Brainiac

When Chloe attended preschool at the International School of Minnesota (ISM), we had a coworker of mine over for dinner who was interested in the school and was going to test the intellectual rigor by quizzing Chloe. So my coworker asked her, "What's your favorite subject?" Chloe pondered for about 10 seconds and confidently said, "Lunch!" Wanting to give her the benefit of the doubt, my coworker said, "Well then, what's your favorite academic subject? Chloe thought about 15 seconds this time and blurted out, "Recess!" (By the way, her comments were no reflection on the actual academic strength of the school.)

Pre-school favs: 1) Lunch, 2) Recess, 3) Finger painting

Age 5: The Profanity Police

Remember that epic film, Jack_ _ _? Chloe heard an ad for it on TV and said to Steve, "Oh dad, that's bad. They should change the name of that movie to Jack Bottom!"

Age 13: The Naive Friend

Chloe and her friend, Heather saw a guy wearing a stud muffin t-shirt with a logo like this one. Chloe observed, "Hey, a stud cupcake!" Wow.

Chloe and Heather

Age 14: The Dog Expert

A few weeks ago after Leah went to college and Steve and I were at work, one day Chloe ended up home alone with Pabby with nothing to do. (Hey, one day in the whole summer isn't bad.) Pabby is really Leah's dog and for all 7-1/2 years of his life, Chloe has given him relatively little love and attention. When we got home, Chloe said, "Hey, sorry, I forgot to feed Pabby lunch." Good thing! Guess there's no time like the present to learn that he has never nor never will need lunch.

Chloe and Pabby

Oh Chlo Chlo. With high school just starting, there's bound to be a lot more material to come. Right, friends?

Mollie, Ali, Chloe & Jackie

You can find her on Facebook and on Twitter @thechloepatra.

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Twinsight 27 of 50: Persevere Each Day

The Langs

In the midst of many positive things in my life, this week has felt heavy to me...starting with the anniversary of 9/11 and followed by more sobering news about the economy, pressures at work, transitions with having our girls move into college and high school, the weight of coming alongside a couple of friends in difficult life circumstances, too much on my plate, etc. Maybe you're feeling some of those same challenges.

How do we wake up each morning with fresh energy to face whatever comes in the day - both the encouraging moments and the ones that may be perplexing and frustrating? I want to share a story with you that has been so inspiring to me as I seek to be a persevering person. It's about Pat Lang, a vibrant woman we met a few years ago. In addition to a grown son, she has two adopted daughters from China, Mikaylah and Maddie. Maddie, her younger daughter has a serious, rare illness, and Pat perseveres with amazing tenacity, stamina and grace through it all - day by day, sometimes minute by minute.

Instead of telling you about it, I want to encourage you to watch a 7-minute video that the Lighthouse Media guys (Peter, Dan and Steve) had the opportunity to produce for a faith story segment at our church, Westwood Community Church. 

On the door that goes to our garage, I've posted a sign that reads:

God, you've given me this new day.
Help me to live it for you.
I go with confidence because you go before me!

I've now added the picture above to remind me to pray for their family and confidently press on into my day. If Pat can do it, we can do it!

Twinsight 26 of 50: Unite as Americans in Remembering

Today we are probably all thinking about where we were 10 years ago. Where were you? I was at work downtown Minneapolis at Hewitt Associates. As my colleagues and I started hearing the news, we each gradually came out of our offices and gathered in the one room with a TV. What is most poignant to me as I recall it now was how quiet the room was as we hung on every image and word on TV, trying to make sense of what seemed so senseless and unbelievable. Within a couple of hours, we were encouraged to leave the building because we are close to the IDS Center, the tallest building in the city, and there was speculation that other major US cities might be the next targets.

At the time, we had a Hewitt office in NYC but not in the World Trade Center towers. Last fall, we were acquired by Aon. Despite the little hassles that go along with any merger or acquisition, it's been interesting to learn about and start leveraging the expanded expertise that we have as a combined firm with a much broader global reach. Aon is also the principal shirt sponsor for Manchester United, the world's #1 sports brand, which is an exciting connection.

But I learned something about Aon a few days ago that was incredibly sobering. In 2001, the firm lost 176 colleagues on 9/11. A couple of days ago our CEO, Greg Case, sent the following message to honor those who lost their lives and encourage us all to remember. I was so moved by it that I got permission to share it with you.

To:        All Colleagues

From:         Greg Case

Date:        September 8, 2011

Re:        Remembering Our Colleagues on September 11

Colleagues,

Sunday, September 11 marks the 10th anniversary of the World Trade Center tragedy. It is a day for mourning and remembering our 176 friends and colleagues and for remembering the courage of their families who have since moved forward in the face of unequaled sorrow.

Your global Aon colleagues hope that on Sunday you will join us to honor the memory of our lost colleagues by lighting a candle or sharing a moment of silence on their behalf at 10:28 a.m. EDT, the moment when the second tower fell in New York City.

For the past decade, Aon’s New York office has taken part in its own special traditions and those will continue this year. On Friday, September 9, 176 white roses will be displayed in the lobby of the Aon New York office at 199 Water Street with the names of our colleagues. On the same day, I will be with several hundred Aon colleagues in New York attending a non-denominational memorial service at St. Peter’s Church.

In August, some of our New York colleagues honored their fallen friends by supporting the New York City Police Officers and Firefighters participating in the 2011 World Police and Fire Games in August. Many New York police and firefighters lost their lives in the World Trade Center, and Aon continues to be a strong supporter of their good work. In addition, representatives from the Tribute WTC Visitor Center came to Aon’s New York office in July to capture reflections from some of our colleagues about September 11. These reflections will be part of the Tribute located in Battery Park in New York City near the Gardens of Remembrance.

Aon also has been a major supporter of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center. The museum, which is set within the footprints of the original Twin Towers, will provide visitors with a place for contemplation, reflection and remembrance. Aon also has been a significant sponsor of Project Rebirth, a video documentary that captures in images and sounds the rebuilding of lives as well as the Ground Zero location where the World Trade Center formerly stood. The film’s mission is to chronicle living history and honor September 11 victims and first responders. It will premiere on the ShowTime cable network on September 11.

In addition, the Aon Memorial Education Fund, a program started in 2002 and funded in part by the support of Aon colleagues around the world, continues to provide scholarships for post-secondary education to the dependent children of our lost colleagues. Through various fundraising activities, Aon has raised more than $2.6 million and has helped over 60 young people pursue their secondary education goals.

One of those is David Hemschoot, the son of Mark Hemschoot, who died on September 11. David graduated magna cum laude from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey and received recognition as the top student in the Finance Department at the university. In his note to Aon, David said in part, “Seeing the scholarships as a tribute to my father has made me work very hard to do my best at college.”

David’s success story is a tribute to his mother and father. It also represents the success stories of many other children of Aon colleagues we lost on September 11 who have achieved great things. And in some small way, the various efforts of Aon colleagues around the world to support the Fund have been the greatest legacy all of us can give to the memory of those friends and colleagues who were lost on September 11.

As part of our tradition, you can continue to celebrate the lives of our lost Aon colleagues through Aon’s Legacy web site and the Aon Book of Remembrances.

Ten years ago on September 11 we witnessed destruction and tragedy. May we always remember the courage of our lost friends and colleagues and may that spirit continue to live not only among all of us, but also among their children who offer our world a shining light for a better tomorrow.  

Best,
Greg

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Twinsight 25 of 50: Remind Yourself of Labors of Love

Can you believe it's Labor Day weekend? The summer always feels like it goes too fast, but I'm honestly not sure where this one went. The Labor Day holiday was established to remember the rights and triumphs that workers in business and industry have gained over the last couple of centuries. We have certainly come a long way. My parents and grandparents were part of the generations who made such significant progress in American business, and maybe yours were as well. After I finished college and had been in the workplace for several years (and they had become SO much smarter!), I framed this quote for my parents:

A hundred times a day I remind myself that my inner and outer life

depend on the labors of other men [and women], living and dead, and that

I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure
as I have received and am still receiving.

- Albert Einstein

Gardar, ND, church and cemetery where my parents were laid to rest

I'm doing well if even once a day I remember that others have invested in my life, and that I, in turn, have the responsibility and privilege to give back to others in all avenues of my life. But today, as I reflect on the influence of my parents who have both passed away, I'd like to share a variation of some thoughts that I posted on my mom's CaringBridge site last year.

• My parents' influence has shaped so much of who I am. I knew that fact intellectually, but now it's more clear to me how they shaped me in so many ways that affect me every day, even after they're no longer on earth. In certain poignant moments of life - like dropping Leah off at college last week and remembering watching mom and dad silently walk to the car after we said goodbye on my first day of college - I even sense their presence with me now. We certainly weren't a perfect family. But despite our flaws and quirks, there was an implicit unconditional love and grace that permeated our home, something we actively seek to build in our home now.
• The memories become sweeter and crisper. I have countless memories that are more endearing and clearer in my mind now - like finding the gifts that mom had creatively scattered around the house on Christmas morning, sitting with my dad in his chair and reading newspapers together (he subscribed to 11 at one point), and watching him completely embrace and love our girls after he had been hesitant about adoption. Steve misses mom's ironing. She loved to iron and it was always on her job list when she came to our house. She even ironed his underwear. Wow, we miss that service although Steve can bend over with more ease now that his shorts aren't starched.
• God is a God of healing. Now when I have a ping of sadness about them - usually triggered by little things like hearing Rhapsody in Blue (one of my dad's favorite songs) or watching a teenage boy put his bare feet on a coffee table (something mom was famous for) - a little smile comes to my face...not so much tears anymore. Time does heal. But it's not as much about time as about how God is working. It seems that through people and circumstances, God just shows up when I need Him most and He assures me that He is with me through thick and thin and that won't ever change (Deuteronomy 31:6).
• Life marches on. While it's important to savor the memories, it's important to move on and live life to the fullest. Mom and dad wouldn't want it any other way. One of the pastors of our church, Joel, lent me a book called A Grace Disguised by Jerry Sittser who suffered a catastrophic loss. Sittser writes, "...the experience of loss itself does not have to be the defining moment of our lives. Instead, the defining moment can be our response to the loss. It is not what happens to us that matters as much as what happens in us." Fredrick Buechner writes, "Even the saddest things can become, once we have made peace with them, a source of wisdom and strength for the journey that still lies ahead."

If photos had names like paintings, I'd name this one "Lighten Up!"

Who has labored in love on your behalf? May today we remind ourselves of those labors and resolve to do the same for others.

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