Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops. (Henry Brooks Adams)

My oldest son is a college senior this year. He’s a happy, (relatively, ha?) well-adjusted Finance major at Xavier University in Cincinnati. Even though we all worry about our kids, no matter the age, the fact is that there is some corporation, bank, or other organization out there who will undoubtedly find this hard-working gem I call my son. I have some friends who joke with me about the fact that we are all pretty sure our kids are going to live in our basements forever. The truth is, Nick Thieme is ready to fly. He hasn’t found his job yet, but he will because a sharp kid with a strong work ethic is always going to land on his feet. It’s the very fact that I am using words like “career” and “corporate” in the same sentence as my baby that has me a little rattled, frankly. How can this child of mine be about to embark on the real world? It’s impossible to think that he’s 22 years old. It seems like 5 minutes ago he was in Nicholle Wewora’s first grade class at St. Louis de Montfort!

Nicholle Wewora is now Nicholle Smith. She’s got two incredibly adorable children and a handsome husband named Marc. I haven’t seen her in person in many years, but I do keep an eye on her through social media and sometimes I get updates from a few of her old colleagues. Because my mother was a teacher, I know how much hard work it is to do that job. However, the best thing about being a teacher, in my opinion, is that it matters. The influence of a great teacher like Nicholle can never be erased.

Is Nicholle Smith even in a classroom anymore? I don’t even know. However, I do know this. When my bright little squirrel was a first grader, he could not stay focused. She was a very young teacher and she called me one day to say he wasn’t finishing his work, and she suspected it wasn’t because he couldn’t do it, but because he just lost interest halfway through. I laughed and talked about how he was probably counting ceiling tiles or looking out the window, and I told her I would try and talk to him. She said, “No, I have an idea. I just want to get your permission first to try it.”

She went on to explain how she and Nick had bonded over their mutual love of the Purdue Boilermakers and that she’d learned he was a competitive, sports-loving boy. She didn’t want to stress him out, but she wondered if making a little competition out of the work might be tried. I agreed. So, it was then that Nick began trying to beat Miss Wewora’s timer. He got great joy out of telling me how fast he was with his math facts, for instance, saying things like “I set an all time record getting math facts done today, Mom! I cut 4 seconds off my time!!”

Now, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that this young man is still a procrastinator sometimes… but he always hits the deadline with good work. Here’s the thing. After first grade, he never needed that timer. He learned how to focus better in school and his grades have always been excellent. You see, he got off to a good start with a spunky, creative, energetic teacher who used her giftedness and sunshine to influence a young man in a way that stuck. I believe Nicholle to be the kind of person who always lights the way for others. I strongly suspect that she continues to patiently nurture the young people in her life to this day.

As my oldest finishes his “school years” this year, his old teacher, Nicholle (Wewora) Smith is on my mind today. I’m feeling thankful to her for the articulate, helpful, and kind human being she has been to SO MANY young people over the years including to my two oldest sons. Certainly, she made a positive impact the Thieme family. As the daughter of a teacher, I know circling back years later to say THANK YOU is definitely not too late. You were a gem right out of the box, Nicholle. The world is a much better place for your positivity and fantastic influence on others. I may be a day late with the birthday love, but I do believe in the festival approach to such celebrations anyway! IT’S STILL YOUR BIRTHDAY WEEK SO… HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NICHOLLE!!

P.S. Also, Nicholle? You were good with photos even way back when! I spotted a CD you made of that class 16 years ago not so long ago and it was filled with beautiful smiles you wanted to share with us parents. The images warmed my heart even more these many years later. Thanks for being a giant scoop of awesome!

She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction on her tongue. (Prov. 31:26)

Mary Lou Fischer is a woman who knows trusting in God to counsel and guide us is the best path. She shared with me from time to time when I would run into her about her quiet joyfulness by explaining that she reflects often about the blessings of her life. She’s a wise woman whose time alone with the Lord seems to have graced her with the sweet peace of God.

I met Mary Lou almost 20 years ago when we went to get our middle son baptized at St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church in Fishers. We were brand new parishioners at SLDM with a newborn who had special health concerns at the time. It’s easy to forget those early struggles when one looks at my very large 6’5 inch Boilermaker today! She said, “no problem” and she came to the house and cheerfully prepared us for the process. This woman spent many years being a jack of all trades for SLDM. She helped with weddings and funerals, loved up students at the school, and kept the religious education program running smoothly, among other duties as a pastoral associate for the parish. She taught protocol classes before the program went online. I honestly feel like there is probably no ministry on campus at SLDM that she was not involved in at one time or another. Mary Lou was a fixture at the parish with an impressive work ethic and a positive attitude. Her influence and gentle spirit made her the face of Christ to all she encountered.

She has suffered tragedies and set backs, like all of us do eventually in this crazy life, and she has met them with courage and eyes of faith. As a mother and grandmother, she is supportive and loving beyond words. I always enjoyed watching her interact with others because of the grace-filled words and quiet optimism she never failed to share. She is especially gifted with children.

When Mary Lou retired, I failed to reach out and thank her properly for her incredible service to the parish and to our family specifically. It’s a regret I’m attempting to rectify today. Mary Lou, thank you for your example of faith and for setting high standards for those around you. I’m grateful for all the beautiful smiles and warm hugs as well as the wisdom and prayers. Thank you for being someone who always taught me by your example to trust in providence and rest in the peace of Christ. Because of you, many of us learned an important lesson– that we should be grateful no matter what! May the blessings of the Lord always be abundantly present for you, Mary Lou! Hugs from the Thieme family…and say hello to Wes from us!!

Nothing is more beautiful than a woman who is brave, strong and emboldened because of who Christ is in her.

We need more goodness, more virtue, more women of faith. We need more kindness, tenderness and genuine concern for purity. We need more pretty hearts and beautiful souls. We need more women like Meg Ryder.

Meg is the wife to a top shelf guy named Tom and the mother to a talented and soft-hearted daughter named Faith. Tom and Meg are pictured above. She comes from a large and loving family full up to their eyeballs with love of the Lord. She’s lived a very blessed life, and she knows her belovedness. These gifts, she shares generously with others.

I met Meg several years ago when we attended a Christ Renews His Parish retreat at St. Louis de Montfort. Her goodness shined like sunbeams then as now. She was impossible to miss. I admire Meg because of how she has risen above the storms that life brings us all. She is one of the women who taught me by her witness that all of us may have areas of brokenness but God still chooses us and uses us to bring others to Him.

Meg is funny and beautiful. Her smile is as genuine as her character and integrity. She’s an incredibly affirming person. It’s no surprise then that her daughter shares many of these same qualities. I ran into Meg today at the SLDM fall fest. Her warmth and her big bear hug made my day and I decided I was LONG OVERDUE to tell her how special she is to me and many others! Thank you, Meg, for being a light for others. Your optimism and your faith make the world a better place every single day!

A year ago or so, I went in for my annual physical. Grossly overweight and with health issues getting worse by the day, I was, quite candidly a hot mess. An excellent doctor like Joe Martin whose comforting and reassuring words are sometimes far more powerful than any medicine ever could be, he was in good form that morning. As gently and compassionately as a human could ever speak truth is what Dr. Joe Martin did for me that day.

A very faithful Catholic man, Joe is a gloriously kind and compassionate person. If ever there has been a man that I would compare to how I personally picture the Our Blessed Mother, at least temperamentally, it would be this guy. He explained in his soft-spoken way, that no matter what comes next, he will work to help me be as healthy as I can be. Only because I have a rare gem like this man as my doctor was I able to hear the love of Christ in his urging to make a radical decision to lose the weight. It wasn’t something I didn’t already know, of course. There was simply something beyond truth telling going on in our conversation. I didn’t make an immediate move, but I sat with his words for quite a long time. I took them with me to prayer.

“In order to be a good doctor, a man must also have a good character. Whatever weaknesses and foibles he may have, he must love his fellow human being in the concrete and desire their good before his own.” WH Auden

Earlier this week, I returned to see Dr. Martin. Having heeded his advice, but certainly with more work to do, I was nearly 90lbs lighter and not only in body, but in spirit too. His authentic praise for the turnaround in my health was so effusive that I found it almost embarrassing. We talked quite a while about our faith and trust in the Lord and the importance of spending time with Jesus in eucharistic adoration. He told me he wants me to be the woman God has called me to be. I mean, who has a doctor like this? I’ll tell you who– only the truly blessed. Articulate, professional, compassionate and caring are the adjectives that come to mind when I think of this doctor. He’s incredibly bright, but you don’t have to be brilliant to be an excellent doctor. I’ll take a kind truth-teller who loves the Lord every day of the week, even if there might be some doc out there more innovative or with more experience…or whatever. I know I’m not alone on this one, because there is most certainly a reason why this man is not taking new patients. He’s a grace-filled and gifted doctor.

Dr. Joseph Martin, the way you live your professional life leaves me doubting not even for a moment about the sort of husband, father (of 4) and friend you must be to those who are closest to you. Those folks are incredibly blessed to have you in their lives. I am grateful to them for sharing you with those of us who come in to your office every day and soak up so much of your time and energy. You are a bright light with a beautiful, caring smile who never makes me feel like you are in a rush to get to the next patient. In you, I have certainly experienced the love of Christ. Thank you so very much for what you do each day! YOU ARE A GEM!

Your greatest contribution to the kingdom of God may not be something you do, but someone you raise.

A few years back, I met Shelda Balcer for perhaps the first time (at least formally) in my own family room. You see, the high school kids were headed to the prom at Guerin Catholic and they decided to use our home, which is very near the school, as their “photo op” location. Shelda’s incredibly intelligent and absolutely stunning daughter, Olivia, was headed to the dance that year with my son, Drew. Shelda is pictured above (far left) with her truly gorgeous family.

Before I knew it, Shelda had ordered the rearranging of the furniture and was very definitely commanding the room full of teenagers as to where they should stand, sit, and so on. I thought to myself…well…looks like I have met my match today! Haha! Shelda was sporting a rather impressive camera on her hip, however, so I yielded. I was thrilled a few days later to receive an email with some really lovely pictures of the kids. She’s talented with that camera!

Shelda is the mother of four, two girls and two boys. Her daughters happen to be the same ages as my sons, Nick and Drew, and they ran in the same kid groups while they were Golden Eagles. Emma and Olivia are both incredibly intelligent and kind young ladies who have impeccable manners. I don’t know her sons as well just yet, but it’s hard to miss the very tall and handsome, Dylan, who is a year ahead of Zach at GC. I spot him fairly often serving mass at OLMC. I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure yet of meeting her husband or her youngest son, Adam.

However, I’ve gathered enough evidence to be convicted of a few things about Shelda and I’d like to share them with you today. First of all, she’s a faith-filled, articulate woman with an incredibly beautiful smile. She’s friendly, confident, and positive in her interactions with others. I truly believe there are few things more important or powerful for the next generation than mothers who are prayerful and faithful to the Lord. Shelda is most certainly both of those, and it shows in the integrity of her children. Motherhood is a million little moments. That’s what I know, and I can see that Shelda understands too the words of St. (Mother) Teresa. “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”

I see you, Shelda, being the face of Jesus to that beautiful family of yours and the rest of us around you too. You are a woman of character. I chose the quote above as I attempt to honor you today on your 50th birthday, because I think it powerfully applies to you. Thank you for your witness of faith and the grace-filled example of motherhood you provide to those around you. It matters. Those little things are how I think you make your positive difference in this crazy world. I’m grateful for your warmth and your smile as well, because the world needs every single grin! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHELDA! I hope it’s been a terrific one! My rosary today was for you and your intentions. May our good and gracious God bless you on this special day!

A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he that has found one has found a treasure. There is nothing so precious as a faithful friend, and no scales can measure his excellence. A faithful friend is an elixir of life and those who fear the Lord will find them. (Sir. 6: 14-16)

Someone brilliant explained to me once that the Jesus girls and weirdos who put up with my quirks, not begrudgingly, but with smiles that say “me too” are actually my tribe. Those folks, she said, are the people God sent into your life. Hold on to them fiercely. I replied simply, “Yep. That rings with truth.”

My friend, Julie Ferrucci, (above on far left) is among the “elite” class of weirdos who I count among my most dear friends on planet earth. She’s without a doubt one of my most valued people. Selfless, creative, intelligent and loving, Julie is the mother of three incredible sons and the wife of a pretty solid guy named Steve. She’s an Indianapolis native who attended Bishop Chatard High School before getting her art degree at St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana.

Thank you, God for sending me this talented, thoughtful woman as a friend! That’s a very real prayer I say aloud while looking towards the sky… ALL THE TIME. I’m fairly solid in the area of communication skills, so I can throw together an event and rally folks around an idea, but aesthetically speaking, I am a major disaster area. That’s where Julie comes in! The poor woman has saved me from myself on color choices, centerpieces, décor, and accessorizing for most of my adult life, ha? I’m minimizing her giftedness here. She’s a very talented artist! Her paintings are filled with light and the love of the Lord.

What makes Julie truly stand out is the gentle, holy way she loves the others in her life. As a mother, she is supportive and wise beyond all telling. She loves Vincent, Dominic and Anthony with a graceful fierceness, and she prays for them steadfastly. Our Blessed Mother and the spirit of her beautiful “yes” to the Lord is very alive to me through my dear friend Julie. Jules, I am truly thankful to you for your example of faithfulness. In my life, you are a spiritual guide post.

What else? Julie is affirming and grateful, and she has a glorious laugh! She’s helped me with my children and my life too many times to count. She’s the friend who doesn’t judge my parenting skills and instead just loves up my goofy youngest kid by serving him chicken nuggets instead. She gets it when we can’t meet for dinner until later because someone has practice or because the Thiemes are obsessed with the Boilermakers and they have a game that day. She knows I want my sons at church on Sunday, so she’d always make sure to let me know when our kids had a sleepover at the Ferruccis that she’d give my kid back after 9am mass. She writes me notes filled with lies about my awesomeness so well that I almost believe her. I love them, so I save most of them to re-read on days when I have forgotten that I am in fact the beloved daughter of our good and gracious God.

Julie is funny, and she has a beautiful, genuine smile that lights up the room. She shares it with us the majority of the time, but not when Chatard is losing to Cathedral. That’s when her inner “Nula” lets loose. Haha!! If you never met Julie’s mom, Nula, then you’ll have to trust me when I tell you the woman was competitive and she minced exactly ZERO words. Julie is a sports lover who grew up in a household with 3 brothers, so the Lord prepared her in advance for the Boston College, Rex Sox loving crazies who would be her future family. She embraces the chaos, the baseball, football, basketball…heck even the hockey and the excessive use of ESPN!

My dear friend, as we celebrate your birthday today, I want you to know without a doubt that I love you. You are a treasure beyond words in my life. This is why I keep disturbing you, texting you 50 times in a row when I know you don’t even check your phone like a normal person. It’s because I never want you to be lonely! HA! Thanks for loving me despite the fact that I don’t know how to whisper and can’t ever find the school calendar. I’m never letting you go. Sorry for your luck. I love you. SO MUCH. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition (William Arthur Ward)

Several new followers have joined my happy little corner of the digital media landscape this week, and I welcome you! For the benefit of the newbies to my “Mad for 2019” challenge, today is the 265th day of 2019, and on each of these days this year, I have written a few words and featured someone who I think makes a positive difference for others by the way they live their life. Today, I’d like to introduce you to an intelligent young woman named Erika Enderle!

Erika is a nursing student at Purdue University, a sophomore, who hails from here in Carmel, Indiana. She’s a 2018 graduate of Carmel High School and was a cheerleader for the Greyhounds during her time there. She’s pictured above with my son, Drew, whom she met in West Lafayette last year during their freshman year of college. While my middle son was home over his summer break, this beautiful, sunny and articulate young lady made several trips across Hazel Dell Parkway to brighten up the Thieme household with her presence and her sparkly, smiling eyes.

The daughter of John and Judy Enderle, Erika is the youngest of their two girls. She has an older sister, Kaitlyn, who is recently engaged. Here’s what I’ve gleaned about Erika that I’d like to share with you all today. First of all, she’s brave and she’s got a great sense of humor! I learned both of these things during my mom’s birthday festival “cruise” at Geist on a pontoon boat ride. Erika voluntarily agreed to attend said party knowing that she’d be stuck on a rented pontoon boat with six of us “old people” and the three Thieme boys. That’s like 3 hours of her life she’ll never get back, ha? Next, she joined right in on our “face to face” challenge game after the ride. It is just the silliest game which was made popular by Jimmy Fallon. Essentially, the best players are the ones who can maintain a straight face the longest when confronted with ridiculous puns and jokes from the competitor across the table. I’m positively miserable at the game, but I love it all the same. It makes people laugh, including Erika, who I learned that night has the most glorious smile and genuine giggle. Smiling people are my favorite kind of humans.

Erika loves her cat Ned, and has a soft spot, I hear, for the loveliness of nature, most especially beautiful trees. She’s a big Harry Potter fan and worked on converting Drew to the same all throughout the summer. I’m not sure if it took or not, but I am a big fan of the concept of diversification of ones entertainment and interests. Since I’m not sure any of my boys realize there are other TV channels outside the ESPN/FoxSports Channel genre, I appreciate the attempt to broaden Drew’s horizons with a little Dumbledore or Hermione Granger…or whatever she comes up with next!

This young lady is compassionate, polite and capable. She’s a Theta at Purdue and I’d call any of those sorority sisters of hers blessed to have such a quality friend. Erika is a hard-working and high achieving student. I have no doubt that she will make a fantastic nurse, because it’s clear to me that one of her defining qualities is her authentic, caring nature. Today, as she celebrates her birthday, I wanted to just give Erika a little shout out! I see you out there in this crazy world sharing your sunny smile with others. I strongly suspect you offer that to the world, even on those days we all have that feel rather cloudy or gray interiorly. Smiling is a great gift that is much needed by nearly all of us. I notice the respectful, thoughtful, and unassuming way you interact in the world. Yes, you are a truly beautiful young woman. We can all see that. But for me, it’s your sunny disposition and the grace-filled way you share it with those around you that makes you truly shine! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ERIKA!! I hope you have a great day celebrating YOU!