But kids bring new things into your life that you’d never ever think you’d get involved with. My kids got into karate, and after TWO YEARS of driving them to lessons, I finally said, you know, that looks like so much fun, I want to do it, too.

My girls are now AMAZING athletes. They are built like whippets, and are just unbelievably graceful, strong and tough. Fiona (15) has a black belt, and Delia (12) is testing for her black belt in August. My next belt will be brown belt. I hope to have my black before I turn 50.

I never watched martial arts movies growing up. I never would have imagined getting involved in something like this, and I wouldn’t have done so if I hadn’t become a parent. But when you’re a parent, exercise really becomes critically important as you grow older. Kids need it, you need it, and it can be terrific fun if you find something (as we did) that a parent and child can do together.

I listened to your radio debut, and you don’t sound anything like I’d thought. Considering I’ve never had a thought of what you might sound like, that wasn’t hard to do. I think it’s the beard. It threw me off.

like Jen H in Robbinsdale you have inspired us to start a blog to help keep in touch with friends around the country, and our camera now accompanies us EVERYWHERE!

Lake Calhoun is great – I usually run there – i would have stopped to say hi had I seen you and Madeline

Hope the trip back went well

“If a thing loves, it is infinite.”- William Blake

I have thought about this a bit in regards to your life and your loss Matt.
I suppose what i am left with is the thought that when I may be unable to really pinpoint many of my beliefs- the one solid finite thing is always love.
Love seems to be the infinite.

I know our lives are often built up of plans and hopes and not many of us really do live in the moment, but i tend to think- all these little buried memories can be like cursed gifts, things that will come to you unexpectedly-
not a stockpile of thoughts to inventory and cling to-
but more so little glimpses or powerful and beautiful moments that will come back to you as little gifts..burdens and gifts.
You are creating a new future and i think these individual memories in their individual moments will help you along the way- help you to raise Madeline with Liz’s input.

You created Madeline together- but i am sure you know more than anyone you created so much more.

I hope back home things are smooth and well for you both!

I loved your photos of Lake Calhoun, such a great place with wonderful people watching.

Your post today was sad, I am sure seeing the Calhoun Beach Club was very hard for you. I recently took my 2 year old to the place where I had my reception 5 years ago and i felt very emotional – so many wonderful memories.

I just have to say, your love for Liz really shines though in all your posts. Since I have started reading your blog, I am finding myself less and less tolerant of times when I feel my husband is taking me for granted. I know he loves me and he is human but I always think of you at times when he is not listening to me, etc. I always think “what would Matt give to have Liz telling him something about her day or asking him to do something around the house?”. I say to him “what if something happened to me, you would always wish you told me you loved me more” and he tells me he doesnt live life that way. I think he should, I think we all should. Life is so fragile and precious, even the mundane moments. I just am curious if any other ladies have felt this way after reading this blog and how you have handled it?

Hope all is well in LA!
Sue