Happy Birthday Ray

Loved Ones,

Today would be Ray's 41st Birthday.  Boy do I wish we were just waking up to make him breakfast in bed!

Ray would be so proud of his girls.  They are hard at work in school and in soccer.  Maggie plays with number 13.  Two nights ago Nora and Maggie watched the whole Vice Presidential Debate.  They are avid watchers of the campaign and they are super smart!  And sweet Lucy is growing up too, liking Kindergarten and playing with her friends.

Ray is always with us.  We remember him always, we talk about him always.

This fall we were introduced to a new organization, Mommy's Light.  The organization was founded to help kids remember a lost parent.  The girls completed an interview where they talked about their memories of their Dad and then they picked a special tradition that the organization will facilitate every year to help them honor these special memories. 

Five years ago, Ray took Nora to a White Sox game just by themselves.  It was the kind of tradition he would have kept up through the years and that is what the girls picked.  So two weeks ago we went to one of the last home games and remembered Ray.  It was a very special night filled with special memories.  The girls loved it and the White Sox won!

Work also continues with the Ray Fitzgerald Lectureship launched last year on Ray's 40th Birthday weekend.  The Lectureship Committee is planning for a 2013 event in the spring.  And next week I will have the honor of speaking to the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity about Ray and the vision of the Lectureship -- bringing greater understanding and unity to Protestants and Catholics.  I know Ray woudl be pleased and honored.

We are grateful for the continued prayers and thoughts of so many.  Though the rages of grief are far behind us, our special Ray left such a large hole that remains.

We'll gather with Ray's family this afternoon for a mass and to wish him a Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday Ray.  We love you and miss you dearly!

not alone and not afraid --

kristin

"He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations"  Psalm 105:8