The Esme Louise Fire Boat

In the summer of 2008, Esme and her cousins spent the afternoon with the Fire Department in Sioux Narrows, Ontario (where she spent her summers with her family) touring their facilities and riding on the truck (every child's dream!) When the Fire Department heard the news of her death, they remembered her warmth and enthusiasm and decided to name their brand new fire boat "The Esme Louise" in her memory, so that her young spirit would give courage to those who put their lives in danger for others. The boat was dedicated at a special ceremony on August 7 with the town members, volunteer fire department, and many of Esme's family in attendance. Thanks to the township of Sioux Narrows, Ontario Fire Department and community and to all who continue to hold Esme's spirit dear.

The Esme Memorial Tree

This past Tuesday, May 26th, we held a tree-planting ceremony for Esme in a special place in beautiful Spring Grove cemetery. The usually quiet northwest corner of the cemetery grounds (http://www.springgrove.org/SG/PDF/SGMap.pdf), rang with the sound of many voices, as Esme's class from the Waldorf School gathered with friends from SCPA, the St. John's UU church community, family and other friends gathered to express our love for this special girl, and consecrate the spot with song.

The tree is a weeping cherry tree, more than a decade old, that was grown on the grounds by the arborists at Spring Grove. It is highly symbolic -- with gorgeous blooms that pass quickly, these trees are often associated with the transience of beautiful things and serve as an enduring metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life in many Eastern traditions.

We sang Esme some Beatles songs and some family songs, all helped to plant the tree and wrote messages on ribbons to tie onto the tree's many branches. What Esme would have liked the most was us gathering all of the people -- some 75 of her family and friends -- into a huge circle, holding hands, and offering thoughts of warmth and kindness to her spirit. She gave us so many, it felt like returning the favor. And although it was a bittersweet ceremony, the sun came out and shone upon us, and it felt like a fitting tribute to our wonderful girl.

Love to all.

I love you aunt Sue and I will miss you.

Have you ever had someone in your life who you always have in the background making things happen and will always love you no matter what? Well, I had that person in my life. On December 23, 2008 around 11:30 my aunt Sue pasted away. I can't remember a time up in Canada were she wouldn't be making a birthday cake for Harper (her granddaughter), or preparing a fish dinner with my mom.
Esme wrote the above entry. I just found it in her blog drafts and am publishing her touching tribute to a favorite Auntie. Makes me wonder what good things I have left unfinished, what kind words I've left unsaid. -Lisa (Esme's Mom)

TODDLERS??? HELP!!!!!!!

By the title some people may think I hate toddlers. But truth be told I actually love them!!! I think they are adorable, sweet and cuddly. The two Toddlers I am talking about are named Harper and Campbell. Harper is four and Campbell is two. But anyway, the question that is probably going through your brain right now is why did she write that title if she loves little kids? Well, the answer to that is there is always a list of things I do whenever I see these two. We have to: Sing the "Who likes popcorn?" song,give loads of piggy back rides, play with Lego's and Barbies, Play hide and seek, and chase them around. Very long list isn't it? and I am very tired by the end of the day. Thankfully once I tire them out they are pretty tame. right now I have a very tired four year old on my lap. YIKES!!!!! I take that back. Make that a very hyper four year old.
This is a picture of Harper:

This is a picture of Campbell:

Family road trip to Red River Gorge

Hello All!
It has been awhile since my last post and I think I need to catch you up on what is happening in my life. This weekend My Mom, Dad and I went to a cabin out in Red River Gorge in Kentucky. Some of the highlights of the trip were: going in the sauna,hiking to Natural Bridge and seeing the view from the top, eating pizza at the best pizza place in the world, Miguel's pizza!!!!!!! and it just happened to be the 25Th anniversary so that night they had a HUGE bonfire and all these crazy rock climbers were there. The cabin we were in was amazing!! They had stain glass windows and a great view on Battleship rock. Out back they had a hot tub, (which we never got up to temperature) a sauna, and a Yoga studio. Now for the pictures.

The living room.


The sign for Miguel's pizza


The fire


A rock climber


the view from battleship rock


Dinner

Obama Rally- (another found unpublished post)

Hello all! It has been awhile since my last post. I have been in school and it's great to see all my friends again and I am happy I am back. It's just days from the election it's Nov.2 and tonight I got to go to the Obama rally here in Cincinnati!!!
Here are some pictures that I took.

First time on water ski's (unpublished post)

Hello everyone,
I am back from Canada but now that I am back, I want to share with you something fun I did over the summer that thing is water skiing.