Not Goodbye, Farewell and To Be Continued

This post is dedicated to the Denison Class of 2021 and their families.  They are a very special group of Denisonians. Their Commencement was today and I hope I remember it for a very long time.

Here is the link:https://denison21.brand.live/c/2021-commencement   Baccalaureate also worth viewing and impressive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLw_Xv-VTRE  The speech from Sara About Rashed, will make you all #denisonproud #centralohioproud so much more to say about Sara and I have in an earlier blog-oh the places she we will go, oh what she has already done-#denisongrateful.  The talk by Denison alumna, nationally recognized theologian Kelly Brown Douglas reinforced all I believe and try so hard to emulate and a message I needed now. Oh to share the day with so many dear friends.

I am fortunate to have a role at Denison that allows me to behold the growth and development not only of a young person through the incredible Denison education and experience, but the appreciation and understanding of the Denison impact through the parent's eyes. I witness their commitment and appraise their status as Denisonians and their student moving to alumni. This was the day it cumulates and the "next" Denison phase begins.  The phase I reiterated over and over today, is maybe the best. This seems hard to believe.  I adored reconnecting with friends, volunteering and making new friends and for me, finding a life partner and best friend in Joe Leithauser in the years beyond my time on the hill. Adam Weinberg included this in his remarks- "you'll make Denison friends you have yet to meet".  It is so true! Your relationships will evolve and grow and these incredible people will share monentuen occasions and you will support theirs.

This was the pandemic class- the one sent home and the one that returned prepared to adapt, flex and learn in new ways. This is the class given credit for setting the tone and offering leadership for our campus time to succeed. They partnered, listened and responded. We honored the faculty and staff that made it so and awarded honorary degrees to the scientists that epitomize the Denison mission: autonomous thinkers, discerning moral agents and engaged citizens.  This is the class that caught the attention of important philanthropists: Jon and Natalie Silverstein- in the program please read their gift to honor, teach and inspire philanthropy for Denison and our Licking County community! 

Page 35  https://denison.edu/forms/commencement-program

A dear parent shared this quote that truly captures the time and offers advice for this class: 

"Leaving feels good and pure only when you leave something important, something that mattered to you. Pulling life out by the roots. But you can't do that until your life has grown roots".  John Green

Class of 2021- you have beautiful roots and a strong foundation provided by your perseverance, wise choice to attend Denison, residence and the relationships you've cultivated with faculty, staff and one another.  All the best to you, we are indeed #Denisonproud 

President Weinberg coined #Denisongrateful today and he is so correct. We have much to appreciate in regard to our fair college on the hill, the students, faculty, staff, alumni, families and community. My time on the hill was lovely today. My work executed by strong partnership and teamwork, incredible families and a reminder of the future.  A sweet junior, now senior gave me a hug- yes the hugs this week have been amazing, and I look forward to supporting the next classes. Class of 2021, P'21 you are near and dear. Life on Newark-Granville Road will not say goodbye, only farewell and as dear ole Aunt Lyn would say....to be continued!

Here Comes Summer

How do you define Summer's arrival? Memorial Day, peonies, warmer temps and no frost on the car, the summer solstice, school's ending?  All of these things are in sight!  Life on Newark-Granville Road tends to call the summer kick-off Derby Party! It is how we prep for the most wonderful time of the year.  Denison's Commencement is another indicator and guess what...it is this Saturday- woo hoo!

Yes, each season is special. Spring is glorious...the change from gray and monotones to the pop of buds, then full on green after each rain all to be a backdrop for Mother Nature or God's pallet. Take a walk and breath in the air, the aroma, the ease of breath...unless you have allergies!

But summer- sweet summer that allows us to stay out because of temps, and/or change in obligations and the addition of light. The summer that allows us to invite the air inside- open the windows, take to the porch, deck, yard.  Summer when we plan our escapes, our trips and even staycations!  

Yes, Summer is coming- we see it on Newark-Granville Road and we can't wait!

Peonies....update here- the tree peonies I purchased from Dawes Plant sale in the spring bloomed! Yes, they survived and seem to be thriving!  One already done- pink, the red one I just cut the bloom for inside- pic on instagram and in Facebook's comments for this post! The transplanted traditional peonies are "coming soon"- can't wait!

They Are Home! College kid Come Home Day!

We are all gathered around the kitchen table. Laughter and teasing, sharing ice cream from one another's favorite containers. The kids are talking over one another to update each other on the happenings not covered on our Sunday conversations, the volume increasing by the minute.

This was what was in my head as I day dreamed about life on Newark-Granville Road to celebrate all of us home, all of us together for the first time in months.

Reality- Peter took an impromptu umpiring game. Sally is at an away lacrosse game. Clare is exhausted after staying up most of the night "cleaning" her house and saying farewell.  Maybe we can make the ice cream happen later tonight or this week.  Reality is - they're all a bit cranky and I'm a tired.  I drove to get Peter, spending last night and getting us up early to make a meeting on zoom. Peter followed Clare's lead and also took a nap today.  And keeping it extra real- both kids are not pleased with the state of their rooms- even though one has freshly painted walls. The dinner I made was rejected by three out of five. So now Joe is making hamburgers for his girls.   Joe did appreciate my stroganoff with left over Sunday steak and Farmer's market mushrooms!  

Update- they're all home.   Sally's team won, Peter's enjoyed being with the 10 U and is excited for tomorrow's 12U game and Clare forgot how to use the washer.  I'm taking ice cream orders and headed to the IGA! 

And a bonus- Happy Birthday dear Lori.....it is a good day, with good energy...of course it is, it is Lori's birthday!

Happiness was....Derby 2021

"Low Key Derby"   "Happy Derby"  every Run for the Roses party on the first Saturday in May at the Granville Leithauser has a theme.  Sometimes just - Derby, but often it has reflected a trip or milestone. Even last year with no race and in the height of the pandemic we toasted Peter's graduation over Zoom and did our best to savor some tradition.  This year the theme retroactively bestowed is Happy Derby.

Everyone was so happy to be there.  We were so happy to host.  We united in the beautiful weather Mother Nature gifted us. The music radiated gratitude and nostalgia and affirmation.  We were happy to enjoy DeFelice Bros Pizza!  http://eatdefelice.com And oh those juleps..Emily- wow! We were thrilled to see so many folks we had not seen in over a year, met new people and be with close friends that helped us navigate the last year.  We're always happy when folks make connections and Saturday had so many, a number of Denison connections at the foundation! We even let Lucy stay for the party and she was happy and behaved. What we really want is people to have fun and be happy together. May 1, 2021 was really fun!

To prepare for the party- I dubbed it the "low key".  We didn't want to have a big blow-out in covid times so I did not share the blog post on social media.  Our paper invites were limited to our holiday card (sent late) with reference...we hope for Derby 2021. We did update with maker scratching "Hope" and substituting "Yes' ' in front of Derby 2021 and distributed to neighbors for a heads-up!  Low key met not having as much food, but wanting to offer something easy. We enjoy supporting new business so Joe arranged for DeFelice to deliver a few times- yum and so enjoyed by party attendees- give them a try- right down the street on Newark-Granville Road: http://eatdefelice.com  I also was a bit more relaxed in my wardrobe and Joe went without the bow tie. 

Special thank you to a few folks who made it extra special:

-Common Thread- you guys sounded incredible. We were honored to have you reunited here. Your music puts exactly the energy we want into the gathering.We cannot say thank you enough- truly- thank you!

-Emily- you and your husband Eric have been making this event so much more special for years. Your magic with the juleps, your care and service allow us to enjoy our guests- we are so grateful.

-Brian and Amanda- the park-like setting makes all the difference and you support and share the weekend prep and wrap-up- oh do we appreciate you dear neighbors.

-Betsy and Jim- the eggs, the chairs, the eggs for the win....thank you thank you thank you!

-Granville Brewing- such a fun tradition to include you all in tradition. That Porter is delish! Of course we love our Yuengling- and I questioned if we should have 2 keys this year...Joe was right- the clean up is easier and the taste of draft beer- ahhh!  Readers- if you have not been to Granville Brewing out 16, near the Hwy Patrol- you are missing out! https://www.granvillebrewing.com  Follow them on facebook for the list of brews and details!! Happy place to sit outside or inside and enjoy!

-DeFelice Family Pizza- one more plug- they are new and we are grateful for the support on Saturday! http://eatdefelice.com 

-Each of our friends that came to the party- low key-spread-out- with flowers and wine and food to share with hugs and smiles and love.  Friends and family that texted and emailed and sent their regrets- we felt your happy energy too- thank you!  The party is only successful when people share the purpose- to unite, connect, enjoy and catch-up...have some fun with tradition in our lives on Newark-Granville Road. We are grateful for happy friends!

-Wanted to be with us, but this wasn't the year- May 7, 2022!  Save the date please! Never miss the party- mark the date- May 7, 2022!

-Oh one last funny story....low key, in the midst of vaccination.....we said outdoor only...but for those wanting to watch the race we went with open windows it will be okay...Joe had all the TVs on and then one went off....one of the other kids turned on the race using our log-in...dear friend alerted Joe and we shifted to 2 tvs only....oh well!  Happy kids at their college- grateful they wanted to watch too!

-And for the record books- during Derby prep we did stop everything at 1 pm to tune in to the Women's NCAC Lax division championship -Wooster vs Denison @ Wooster.  What a game- Wooster came to play and kept up with Denison, tied the game in the last 30 seconds...but a talented DU senior made her way past the defense to score.  Go Big Red but WOO HOO Wooster. So proud of those women- what fun to take a break and watch.

Life on NG Road- never dull and happy, happy on the 1st Saturday in May, 2021!

Pictures finishing the stories....