As has become my cherished custom, I shall reflect on 2025 in the spirit of the Spanish custom of consuming 12 grapes to mark the changing of the year.
Grape #1: I had a great Texas trip to see the George H. W. Bush Presidential Museum, along with sights in Temple. And I got to bypass an early spring and go straight to summer.
Grape #2: It was another great time traveling to the East Coast trip, with highlights including a day in the Boston Metro Area, spots close to the stage at the National Memorial Day Concert, visiting Fort McHenry in Baltimore, celebrating Mom's birthday, and lunch at Gadsby's Tavern in Alexandria.
Grape #3: California turned 175 on September 9, and so 2025 was a fitting time to head west on the Southwest Chief and then walk on sunshine in Southern California. Highlights included going up to the observatory level of Los Angeles City Hall, and visiting the digs of my friend Roy and his family in San Jacinto. I was delighted to return home with 10 lbs of real California oranges.
Grape #4: I enjoyed my road trips in the Midwest/Great Lakes region of the USA, to West Branch and then the Cincinnati Metro Area.
Grape #5: I enjoyed shopping at the Oak Park Farmers' Market 50th Season and experiencing the wonderful sense of community there throughout the season.
Grape #6: Participating in the Illinois March for Life in Springfield was such an uplifting experience, especially on the Solemnity of the Annunciation.
Grape #7: I was glad to serve as an election judge in the April 1 municipal elections.
Grape #8: It was exciting to get word of the white smoke at the Vatican on May 8 and to see the introduction of the new Pope, Leo XIV, a moment that brought me into great awe. Slowly but surely it settled in how significant it was that he was the first US-born Pope. It was a great experience to attend the celebration for him at Guaranteed Rate Field hosted by the Archdiocese of Chicago. And I had a wonderful time sightseeing where he grew up in the south suburbs.
Grape #9: I was overjoyed at the Canonization of St. Carlo Acutis on September 7. His story resonates with me so deeply, starting with his birth just weeks after mine. He is a great example as the first millennial saint.
Grape #10: For 2025, I eagerly looked ahead to the 20th anniversary of my Julian 8th grade graduation, which was a great celebration coinciding with Pentecost Sunday. It was a joyful celebration of what my Julian years have meant to me, especially in the realm of faith, and how I continue to feel that impact. As a wonderful prelude, days prior, I was over the moon to participate as a presenter at Career Day at Julian for a second consecutive year.
Grape #11: There were a few special celebrations in the family this year. It was a blessing to be present for my Uncle Bernie when he got the Christifideles Award from the Archdiocese of Chicago and then his retirement celebration at the annual Chicago Voyagers Gala.
Grape #12: Another event I greatly anticipated in 2025 was the celebration of the 20th anniversary of my Confirmation. It was a great day that connected me back with an event that continues to live on in me as I walk in step with the Holy Spirit. This celebration was enhanced with many other faith-related events this year, like Mass on October 1 at the Shrine of St. Therese of Lisieux on her feast day, and Mass on October 31 at Mother of the Americas Parish with the Virgen statue present. I also visited 8 different Cathedrals, which helped connect with me with the 2025 Jubilee of Hope. I looked ahead to my Confirmation anniversary milestone when I joined the celebration of Confirmation in March for students I know in RE, which made my birthday weekend very special. We even got to meet Bishop Jose Maria Garcia-Maldonado, who had just been ordained the month prior. Then, the day before my Confirmation anniversary, it was special for me to take my RE class into Church and show them where I sat. Indeed, I have seen God present and at work in so many ways this year, especially in the relationships I've built in RE.
As we reach this significant moment in Chronos time, with one year ending and another beginning, I marvel at these Kairos moments that have marked 2025. Especially for the 20th anniversary of my 8th grade graduation and Confirmation, these moments have been opportunities to see how these experiences live on and I continue to draw from them to be the person who lives according to God's purpose for me.
So I conclude 2025 grateful and blessed for what I have experienced, and what I can take with me into a new year.
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