Who knew that a simple yes would lead me here...

Five years...
Ten seasons...
Twelve girls (six of them since the beginning)...

How did I get so lucky to coach my volleyball team? The timing of starting to coach at my school truly worked out - I cannot imagine a better bunch of young women with whom to have traveled this road.

Back in fourth grade, it was an amazing game if the girls could get their underhand serves over the net consistently (and more than just a few in a row). Over time, that changed to placing underhand serves and then to serving overhand. Now, some of my kiddos even jump serve (which is something I didn't even do in high school) - but that skill is no thanks to me; it's thanks to their club coaches.

More important than their skills, be they serving or passing or hitting, is their attitude and how they treat one another. These things have been a rollercoaster, especially when the girls hit their teenage years. How many times did I share a hug or lend a listening ear to girls who were upset with one another due to something that happened at school or that was sent via a text? Probably too many to count. But, for the most part, they've outgrown the bickering and grudges; though, as they are still just 13 and 14 years old, these still surface from time to time.

And, most importantly, I hope they will remain young women of prayer. Each game and practice is offered up to Mary, our Mother - the girls start right into the Hail Mary after circling up, for they have been doing that since our very first practice together. I hope they realize just how important and special Mary is for our faith and for their lives. And I personally pray that Mary continues to watch over them as they go on to high school.

When you approach the end of something, it becomes harder and harder to let go. While I don't teach 8th grade this year, I guarantee you that I will be a complete mess at graduation (and our last game in a few weeks). Each of them (and their incredible parents) has such a special place in my heart that will never be replaced. And I give thanks each day for saying yes to coaching 4th grade volleyball way back in 2013...

Christmas is all about "Presence"

" 'Cause Christmas is not about presents,
But it's about being in the presence of the people you love!"

Such is how "Q Bros Christmas Carol" (a musical/rap adaptation of the Dickens classic) ends, complete with a lights and snowflakes spectacular.

The show is worthy of praise for its balance of humor and poignancy. But it really does hit the nail on the head with that last refrain (above) - it's about PRESENCE.

In our fast-paced, SMART- (but not wise-) phone world, being present - truly present - to others is a lost art. There are so many distractions and so much noise - we ask ourselves, how can we better listen? How can we just STOP and enjoy other people's company instead of checking Facebook/Twitter updates or being worried about who/what we're seeing next?

I invite you to reflect on this a moment: How would our world be different if we all slowed down, resisted what we call "progress?" That's the kind of world I wish for this Christmas - that's the kind of world I want to work for.

My Christmas card cover - sold at World Market

Mid-Day Break

After sending the 4th & 5th graders on their way back to school post-Advent retreat, I started setting up for the 7th & 8th grade one that would follow in about 20 minutes. There wasn't a lot to set up, but I also didn't have time to go grab my lunch, bring it back, and scarf it down.

As good fortune would have it, our director of Religious Ed came down to the basement and invited me to have lunch with her and the priests upstairs - they had ordered Panera as a simple "thank you" for the priests who had come to assist with hearing confessions. Well, the food would have been lovely in and of itself, but I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation (albeit a quick one) with the priests. It was nice to just take a few moments to sit and be present with other people during the midst of a somewhat busy day. They spoke a little of their parishes and where they came from, and I talked a little bit about my experience with the ACE program and my time in Chicago.

Conversations that involve true listening and presence are the best ones. Too often we are swept away by the necessary things we feel the need to complete each day that we mostly tune out any interactions that would be on a deeper level because we just don't "have the time." But we need to make time because it's exactly those kinds of conversations that allow us to get better glimpses of human nature and to better understand the presence of God in one another.