Looking for–and finding–beauty in every inch of this earth.
Saying goodbye to some of the amazing folks we’ve spent the last 15 years with at the Greater Boston Vineyard.*
And the youngest wins–though his elders swear he cheated.
Burlington, VT
Maine. Thank you Dan and Kate for sharing your house!
Yes, that’s a female in with the Greco boys. Anthony’s wonderful girlfriend, Kate.
They met the first week of school when he threw a marshmallow in her face.
Anthony and Kate teaching during their two week trip to Liberia.
Christopher, Bill Massaquoi, Bill’s sister, Kate, and Anthony
Anthony’s shots from London where they had a 24 hour layover.
Just a few weeks after returning from Liberia, Anthony flew over the pond again, this time to Ghana for a semester abroad. He and his classmates went to a wedding in traditional garb.
Ghana is known for its drummers. James is pictured above.
Mole National Park
This was not taken with a long lens. They were quite close.
Traditional mud homes, Tongo, Ghana
Banyan tree
Rope suspension bridge over the canopy in Kakum National Park.
Boti Falls
Elmina traffic jam
Passage walked by slaves on their way to the port.
Learning how to make shea butter.
Meanwhile, GianCarlo finished up his basketball career after his junior year. (Too many losses and too much time.)
He embarked on his first solo international trip. After a very brief stop in London…
He spent three days in Barcelona and then flew south to Malaga where he helped his aunt and uncle run a soccer camp.
La Alhambra
Cliff jumping (not Gian, but he did this–and wisely told me when he got home)
With Cousin Annika
Gian also learned how to fly
and continued to terrorize his opponents on the soccer field. Gian was co-captain and chosen for the all-league team.
He’s now a senior–hoping to attend Norwich U and study architecture.
Matthew switched schools (and has a daily limo ride–with his papa as the driver),
turned 14,
has become tenacious on the basketball court,
and finally learned how to dive.
He continues to play baseball
but since LCA does not offer football (thank you God!), now plays soccer.
Learning the fine art of crosswords with my dad.
No more wires!
He has also developed a fabulous eye for photography. Two of my favorites.
Christopher reached the big 50.
He still plays the keys, now at LCA (where he teaches theater) and while leading worship (at Grace Baptist).
They did let me out of the house a few times. In Wheaton, with Ray K and Margie.
Celebrating twenty years of sharing meals and our lives with one another: Beth, Margaret, and Kimberly.
If I wasn’t making photos, I was writing. Noodle around my site for samples.
Two of my favorite articles:
Holy Resignation and Is the Seeker Sensitive Church Failing a Generation?
A favorite image from 2013
If you are facing a frightening health crisis, may you find peace.
If you are facing a holiday alone or without someone you have loved for years, may you find companionship.
If you are facing economic uncertainty, may you have enough.
If you are discouraged, may you find hope.
Imagine the scene toward the end of It’s a Wonderful Life, when all of George’s friends have come to show their support and love. Many of you did this for us in the past year and we are truly grateful.
We wish all of you a blessed holiday and 2014.
*This is the G rated version. Feel free to stop by for a meal to get the unedited, PG-13 version. Or, listen to Merrily We Roll Along–Going, Going, Gone–for key insights regarding how CG’s first six months went.
So happy to see these; astonished at the beauty of the photos. Particularly ironic that the slave walking route is one of the most beautiful, to me. Thank you for sharing.
That is a stunning image. Anthony said the whole place was very eerie. Miss seeing you!
Wonderful summary of your family’s year, Dorothy. How cool that all three boys are into photography, and good! Sorry to just be getting to this now, but such is life, as I am sure you know! May your family be blessed in 2014.
Dorfer,
What a very nice way to share your year with others. Your family is lovely, and I’m so very happy to see pictures of your boys and snippets of their lives. So glad to see you so happy. All the best that this season has to offer.
Wow! It’s been a very long time since we’ve connected! Are you still in CA? Thanks for sending a greeting along.
This was a lovely way to share your year! I savored and thought at each picture. I’ve heard some of the stories, and this brought the year to life in a whole new way. Thanks for sharing! Blessings to each one of you as well!
Dorothy, this is FANTASTIC. (I may rip off your great idea on my site.) I truly savored each and every photo and caption, imagining the dynamics in your family and wishing I knew you better! So glad we met at the Buds retreat. Also, wish we lived closer, so you could take my photos for my website.
So fun to see so many photos! The boys get like 5 years older each year, it seems… we miss you guys and hope to catch up in person soon! Merry Christmas!
Becky
Becky, I will be coming out to Amherst with Gian to check out UMASS so will let you know.
Yes, we’re still in Lodi, CA. We’ve been here for 19 years–all of Michael’s life. We just celebrated our 29th anniversary. It does not seem like it’s been that long, but we’ve been blessed to really still like each other now that we’re empty nesters. Our Kelsey is 23, and graduated in 2012 from UC Irvine and got a wonderful job with St. Jude’s Research Hospital, and works in the LA office fundraising and event planning. In October she started her second year there and lives in an apartment in Orange about a mile from Disneyland. Michael is at Butte College in Oroville, CA his first year studying to be a firefighter/paramedic doing really well. Dave is almost 35 years at ASCO and I work part-time as a children’s librarian in two elementary schools. My mom is still with us and celebrated her 89th birthday in November. I have a little more time now to catch up with old friends and when I saw your beautiful holiday card, I just had to tell you how wonderful it was. I also enjoyed seeing that you still keep in touch with Ray and Margie. Enjoy your holidays, and I would love to keep in touch with you when you can fit it in because I understand how busy you are raising your family. Take care and keep in touch.. Love, Deb
I loved the photographic tour through the year – and am happy to have finally met you in 2013. Blessings for your year ahead.
This was lovely, what a beautiful family you have! We have to meet up with you all and Kim & Alex next year. Best wishes for a blessed year.
Dorothy, I thoroughly enjoyed each and ever picture! Just breathtaking! You have a beautiful family! Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and joy and happiness for the new year! Hugs!
I love this photo journal of your year. Your sons have inherited your photography gift! Blessings for an abundant 2014.
Lovely pictures.
Loved sifting through the photos! I miss you guys – can’t wait to see you again hopefully soon. Hugs all around.
Beautiful images and words, Dorothy. Thank you.
Blessed Christmas to you and your family,
Peter
Beautifully done! So glad this autumn seems less bumpy. Bless you all!
Much love,
Danica