I started 2016 with a blank slate as usual, ready to be filled, but simultaneously anticipating some big events. I come to the conclusion of this year thinking back upon those big events, and some other wonderful things that happened.
As I enjoy doing, I reflect on this year of 2016 using the Hispanic custom of consuming 12 grapes, as a guide.
Grape #1, my MLIS graduation: It was definitely a major accomplishment to graduate with my MLIS degree on May 8, which was furthermore an opportunity for me to celebrate my vocational path, in a wonderful gathering of family and friends.
Grape #2, my practicum at Argonne: While in my final semester of studies for my MLIS, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to complete a practicum at Argonne National Laboratory's Research Library, among some great colleagues.
Grape #3, two 25-year anniversaries: It was awesome to mark the milestone of being alive for a quarter century on my birthday on March 16 of this year. It was a memorable occasion, which I shared with many, and it gave me the opportunity to ponder my life and all that has filled it. Then, a little more than a month later, on April 28, I marked 25 years since my baptism, which gave me opportunity to reflect on my life of faith. I returned to St. Cornelius to mark that occasion.
Grape #4, my trip to Philadelphia: It was definitely a dream come true when I finally had the opportunity to travel to Philadelphia this past summer. One of the most exhilarating moments of my life was at approximately 6 PM EDT, when I set foot inside Independence Hall, on a tour. And it was fantastic seeing many other historical sites, as well as participating in the 2016 Special Libraries Association conference--which included helping out at the registration desk--and catching up with good two friends in Philadelphia. It seemed at this time in my life to go on this trip as a sort of reward to myself. It was the first time I had traveled outside the Midwest in 2 1/2 years. It was also my first train train trip in over 2 1/2 years, and provided me my first opportunity to travel on the high-speed Northeast Corridor, on a stretch from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia, at times running a speed of 125 mph, faster than I've ever traveled on land before in my life.
Grape #5, my trip to Colorado: It was great to finally have the opportunity to travel to Colorado again and visit with my family there, and it was my first time west of the Mississippi River in over 3 years. I was delighted to join in the grand celebration of my Aunt Carmen's birthday, in the style befitting my family there, who all like to party heartily. And it was another opportunity to travel by train, in the same summer, this time riding the Amtrak California Zephyr route, taking me back to when I traveled on it as a boy on a family vacation almost two decades ago.
Grape #6, serving as an election judge for the presidential general election on November 8: It was an extraordinary experience to engage in the work of facilitating the experience for voters, an important part of the democratic process of the Republic, ranking among the top experience that make me feel proud to be a US citizen.
Grape #7, Pope Francis's activities: It was so exciting to follow Pope Francis's trip in Mexico, connecting so strongly with my sense of being Roman Catholic. And it was a spiritually rich and meaningful experience to ponder mercy more thoughtfully during the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, with personal reflections, which I continue, as well as a tour of artwork associated with the Spiritual Works of Mercy at the Chicago Art Institute.
Grape #8, milestones: I had the chance to celebrate many special milestones throughout the course of the year, like my Great Aunt June's 90th birthday, the Bicentennial of Indiana, St. Cornelius Parish's 90th Anniversary, my cousin Jessica's graduation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Mom's MSN graduation, and the Centennial of the National Park Service, which motivated me to get all the way through the Ken Burns documentary The National Parks: America's Best Idea. These celebrations all gave me opportunity to think about the meaningful place these all have in my life.
Grape #9, outreach events at the Oak Park Public Library: I had the chance to engage in a number of these outreach events, as a way to engage with the community beyond my usual work, including an after-hours event and events with the book bike that brought some memorable times.
Grape #10, my brother's wedding: It was wonderful to welcome Naomi to our family and upon her and my brother Naomi getting married during the summer. After growing up without a sister, I was especially pleased to finally have a sister-in-law.
Grape #11, my first intercontinental conversation: My friend Roy spent a month in Spain doing missionary work this summer. While he was there, he and I arranged a time to chat with each other via Google Hangouts, doing so around 10-11 AM CDT on Saturday, July 16.
Grape #12, my continued involvement in Religious Education: I mention my role in RE often, as it is such a meaningful experience that touches something deep down inside of who I am, even as I'm helping forge the faith of the next generation. I've had the privilege of teaching two wonderful groups of students, first as 7th graders in the 2015-16 RE year, and then continue with them as 8th graders in the 2016-17 year, along with some additional students, witnessing their Confirmation, back in October, and continuing to support them post-Confirmation in understanding what faith means. And I have been present to the youth of Ascension in other ways as the parish gets a youth ministry up and running in earnest. One very notable experience was being at the Holy Fire gathering, the first time the Archdiocese of Chicago held such a gathering for middle schoolers. What a time it was engaging the faith of young people, and fittingly fell on the 11-year anniversary of my own Confirmation. The 2015-16 RE year ended two days before the 25-year anniversary of my baptism, so I had plenty to think about regarding what I've done with my baptism and the gift of faith I received that day.
As I mentioned when reflecting on my birthday when I turned 25, my involvement in RE combines so many significant life experiences of mine, making it an especially extraordinary experience. It takes me back to my middle school years that forged my identity in an especially strong way. The year that I most strongly associate with that forging of my identity was 2005, which I count among the most important years of my life.
I notice that 2016 resembles 2005 in many respects, in that both years were defined by some extraordinary events in my life--not to mention that from March 1 through December 31, the days in the calendars of both years lined up on the same day of the week. What's more, 2016 connected with so many aspects of 2005 that made it so memorable, especially related to my experiences at middle school, and growing in faith, and experiences I had in 2016 allowed me to engage with those aspects in a profound way. As such, I stand at the end of this year, already counting 2016 among the most important years of my life.
I had plenty of opportunities to visit Julian during this year, one of which was a final visit with my 8th grade math teacher Mrs. Rogers before her retirement. The connection I have with Julian remains very personal because many of my RE students attend Julian. I've also connected with Brooks more by attending BRAVO plays there, and the students in those productions do a fabulous job in creating an enjoyable experience for me.
Engaging with a new generation is such an encouragement to me, especially in some of the more sorrowful experiences this year, like saying goodbye to Buddy, our family's dog, who got very ill. I am glad that we had the happiness of marking the 10-year anniversary of the day we welcomed him to our family in March, right around the time of my birthday.
St. Teresa's bid farewell to Father Kevin over the summer. I was glad to be there for that celebration, which was a chance to reconnect with the community there. I had other opportunities to reengage with my Valparaiso connections throughout the year.
I spent time engaging with things around home, too: I was also present for the swearing-in of Oak Park's new police chief, Anthony Ambrose.
I took advantage of free days at Chicago museums, to see the Terrcotta Warriors exhibit--kind of like China coming to me--and the IMAX film National Parks Adventure. I also spent some time at the Art Institute, growing fond of Grant Wood's works, and reflecting on the Spiritual Works of Mercy.
I think of other enjoyable experiences out and about in the Chicagoland area, especially on bike rides. I went on one very long one on Labor Day, all the way to Ridgeland and 104th Street. I also found myself constantly going to Riverside, confirming it as my new favorite biking spot, along its winding, curvy streets, and fine homes.
Yes, 2016 had the major events, but plenty of other smaller, but nonetheless delightful, happenings. And as an added bonus, there was a Leap Day to give extra time to savor it.
And so now I bid farewell to 2016, rejoicing in the amazing things that have taken place in my life, like the Psalmist says, "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy" (Psalm 126:3 NIV).
Indeed, as we head into 2017 and beyond, 2016 will stand out specially among all the years of my life.
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