Category: MAD FOR 2019

Happiness is secured through virtue; it is a good attained by man’s own will. (St. Thomas Aquinas)

July 8, 2019– A Crown Point native and the father of 3 pretty terrific kids, Billy Finn is also the husband of a bright and talented wife named Lisa. Their children, Mia, Max and Luke are all sports-lovers which is not surprising considering both their parents have extensive and successful sports backgrounds. Billy is a 1994 graduate of Andrean High School in the Region. He’s a tough, handsome, faith-filled and athletically gifted guy.

I met Billy several years ago through mutual friends from our church and school community in Fishers, Indiana. He often volunteers his time coaching kids, and has done so since well before his own children were old enough to participate. In fact, when my current Boilermaker was a 4th grader, I remember Billy coaching CYO football and drawing up a hook and ladder play that the boys had never practiced…in the sand on the sidelines. My son, Drew, caught the pass and pitched it to his teammate, who ran down a wide open field of grass and then got tackled by the “turf monster”. As I recall it, the kid certainly would have gone for a TD if not for that misfortune. It was hilarious, and it’s one of our family’s all-time favorite CYO football moments. Only the uber competitive Billy Finn would decide that 3 nine-year old boys could learn and execute the hook and ladder on the fly. Classic Coach Finn. They almost pulled it off too!!

Billy is bright and has a fantastic work ethic. He’s an upright guy, a terrific dad who has a genuine way about him, and a hilarious dry sense of humor. He knows how to smile, laugh, and keep his priorities in line. I have a great deal of respect for Billy because of the quality of his character and the strength and love he models for his family and all those around him.

Today is Billy’s birthday, and I hope that Lisa and the kids are celebrating him in style today, because his is a life worth celebrating in a big way! Thanks for setting the bar high for all those around you, Billy! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BILLY FINN!

You can start right where you stand and apply the habit of going the extra mile by rendering more service and better service than you are now being paid for. (N. Hill)

July 6, 2019– A talented tennis player from Westfield, Wyatt Metzger graduated from Guerin Catholic High School in 2018. He now plays tennis for the DePauw Tigers where he was named to the 2nd team All-NCAC in his freshman season for the DePauw Men’s Tennis team.

I met the very friendly Wyatt during his time as a Golden Eagle at GCHS. He and my son, Drew, were classmates there and remain good friends. Last year at about this time, I asked him if he would be willing to give some tennis lessons to my youngest son, Zach, who had decided to take up the sport. He kindly agreed to tackle the assignment and has since given several lessons to my kiddo. What stands out to me about this experience is how clearly the quality of his character shows in all our interactions with him.

For instance, Wyatt often volunteers to transport Zach from our house to and from the courts when his schedule permits. This is no small thing for a mom who spends most her days of summer hauling a soon-to-be high schooler around town to his various sporting events, lessons, and the like. He really didn’t have to do that. Wyatt didn’t have to go out of his way to get more involved, but he did. He didn’t do it to be seen or for some sort of extra incentive– his instinct was simply to go the extra mile.

Wyatt is a young man of character and integrity. He’s polite and full of personality when he visits the house with the guys. He’s encouraging and positive when he gives lessons to Z and to many other young guys he’s helping out! It’s meaningful to all those younger players to get that kind of feedback from a college tennis player.

The son of Todd and Terri Metzger, Wyatt has clearly been well-raised by faith-filled parents, because he is a reflection of them in his goodness. I haven’t spoken to his brothers about him, but I’d bet as a sibling, he’s solid as a rock, even if those gentlemen don’t want to publicly admit it, ha?

He’s also into social media and I hear he has a pretty cool YouTube channel (WhySoQwyatt) if you are into that kind of thing and want to check him out. I am told it’s mostly silly, quirky and funny stuff meant for a much younger demographic than yours truly!

I’m not sure exactly what the future holds for this handsome, athletic young man. I suspect his will be a life filled with many blessings and much success, because as they say, there’s not a big traffic jam usually happening on that extra mile. What I know for sure, is that there is no doubt that the world is infinitely better with one Wyatt Metzger in it! Thanks for being such a considerate and courteous human being, kiddo! It’s a good reminder to all your peers and even to old ladies like me that kindness is where it’s at! You are the real deal, Wyatt!

In a gentle way, you can shake the world. (Mahatma Gandhi)

The beautiful mother of the groom this spring, Teri Johnson, is pictured above next to her son, Chris at his recent wedding to a stunningly beautiful young woman named Lindsay. I met Teri a few years back. She was this kind, friendly soul working in the school office at St. Louis de Montfort at the time. Teri has the type of genuine smile that makes her instantly likeable.

It wasn’t long after that when I learned that her son, Kyle, was quite ill. We did a lot of praying for Teri and her entire family during that incredibly trying time. When she lost him to leukemia, the whole community mourned alongside her because we could see how much she loves her family. It’s an ache that never goes away, but God has rained grace down on this lovely human and she seems to soldier on with positivity all the same.

It was William Hazlitt who said, “A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.” That’s what the office felt like to me the entire time Teri was sitting at the front desk. She seemed to be able to see the humor in the everyday, and always she made my boys and (and me too) feel she was glad to see us, even when we were mostly just an unneeded hassle in her day.

In case you’re unaware, school secretaries are the GLUE. That is a fact! No school functions well who tries to forge ahead without a sunny and gracious person as the first face one sees upon entering. When Teri left her role at SLDM, there was NO ONE who was glad she was moving on. She built personal relationships, and was always a reassuring, gentle voice of positivity in the days of our young people. She seemed to instinctively understand that we don’t know someone’s interior struggles, so she used her giftedness in a kind way which to me always glorified the Lord.

Teri, I deeply regret not doing a better job of expressing to you how grateful I am for the time you spent at SLDM. You just always seemed to be someone who could look past the cracks and see others with a generous and patient heart. You treated us all with such care. I should have said thank you sooner. Instead, during this, your birthday week, I wanted to take a moment to say HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY! I hope you were able to enjoy your special day, because your life is certainly one worth celebrating!! We in the Thieme clan think you are simply terrific!

You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. (Maya Angelou)

They say that tidiness isn’t a typical or essential feature of most creative minds. I suspect this is mostly truth. I’m not entirely sure if it applies to our birthday girl, Anna, who turned 22 just yesterday. I’ll have to ask her mom, Kit, when I next get the chance because if I know anything for sure about Anna Kleck, it’s that she is the owner of a curious, creative and inspiring mind! Also, just take a look at the photo above. How beautiful is she?

Anna is the oldest of the Kleck children. Her parents, Chris and Kit, have three kiddos in all– Anna, Emily and Jack. Each one of the three of them is incredibly bright and all seem to have taken that giftedness and applied it in their lives in very different ways. What makes Anna stand out is that she is incredibly articulate and the type of young lady who is both creative and who owns an amazing commitment to her dreams. She’s heading into her senior year at Loyola University in Chicago, and she seems to be thriving in the big city.

A grade school classmate of my oldest son, Anna attended St. Louis de Montfort Catholic School in Fishers, Indiana before heading to Cathedral High School and then she packed her bags for the Windy City! She’s friendly, thoughtful, and sunny. She’s got a tremendous spirit of adventure and when you pair this with her independence, persistence, curiosity and raw intellect, you’ve got a very winning combination!

I’m not entirely sure what Anna’s plan is when she graduates from school next spring, but whatever journey is ahead for her, I know she will meet it with strength and courage, supported and encouraged by her very loving family back home. Some young people I worry about in their transition to “adulting”. That’s not the case with Anna Kleck. This young woman is the real deal.

I have enjoyed reading Anna’s blog posts over time, especially those of her travel experiences as well as her entertaining restaurant and beauty reviews. She’s candid, honest, and succinct. As a woman who values words, I find myself inspired by her creative mind. Since I really do believe creativity is contagious, I appreciate Anna’s giftedness and postivity!

Happy Birthday, Anna! I know I’m a day late, but I’m a big believer in the month long birthday celebration, so yours is just barely underway, am I right??! I hope your weekend is full of fireworks and fun. GOOD LUCK WITH SENIOR YEAR…AND GO RAMBLERS!!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3:5-6)

When our oldest sons (who are both named Nick) became very close buddies in grade school, my dear friend Janet Andriole made a declaration. “Well, you two are pretty much as thick as thieves, so we’ve got a problem to solve! I am certainly not calling my own son by his last name in his own house. You two boys will now be ‘Nick Pat’ and ‘Nick Fred’ and that’s just how it’s going to be!” These two kids of ours are now 21 years old, and they are still now and forevermore shall be Nick Pat and Nick Fred. The monikers stuck, and so did all the friendships that have been created in our two families.

Jan is a sunlit and truly luminous woman. She’s as articulate, bright, and kindhearted a person as anyone I’ve ever known. Also, she is full of faith and loves the Lord. There’s an authenticity to her spirituality that I have always found refreshing. She’s not afraid to wink at our good and gracious God. I’m not sure I’m explaining that very well, so let me give you an example. For a few years, Janet had a holy and pious teaching partner named Teri Feller. Teri was incredibly gifted at leading a group of children to Christ by the way she elegantly and spontaneously prayed aloud. Janet, knowing her simple and more conversational style was definitely different (but just as effective) would frequently pray with those same kiddos by joking about their differences in style. “We all know that I can’t pray quite as eloquently as Mrs. Feller, but Lord, here we all are before you all the same. Even when we stumble over our words a little, our hearts belong to You!” I never told her so, but I couldn’t have loved this any more– for the children or for myself!

Spontaneous worshippers like Jan, the ones who burst forth with praise that springs from a joyful and grateful heart, are just the kind of people who inspire me. I can write a beautiful prayer, but to knock out something aloud and on the fly which contains anything resembling full and holy sentences the way some others can simply isn’t my gift. I used to be quite self-conscious about it, almost like it meant that I just loved the Lord less effectively or some silly thing. I’m grateful to my friend, Janet, for her humble and honest witness all those years ago that has stuck with me ever since. God made me just like this, so when I sing and can’t quite hit the high note, or when I pray aloud and flub it up, I know it’s just completely fine with Him!

Janet is competitive and passionate, and she is married to a very fine baseball coach named Rich. She has enjoyed cheering on all his teams over the years as well as those of her sons, Nick and Jake as well as her gorgeous daughter Allison who looks just like her! As a mom, she’s compassionate and loving. She’s also the daughter of Danny and Rita O’Malia and the oldest sister in a glorious trio!

When she lost her sister, Shannon, in a terrible act of domestic violence, I wondered how she would soldier forward. After all, they were very close, and they even worked together each day at St. Louis de Montfort Catholic School in Fishers. However, when weakness and doubt made her question her faith, even for a moment, grace seemed to rain down on Janet, strengthening her again, despite her pierced heart. She’s chosen to live and breathe her trust in Christ. This is just one of many reasons why the young people at St. Joan of Arc Catholic School in Indianapolis are incredibly blessed to call this sunny woman their principal. By watching her, they will learn by her example that trusting our heavenly Father is meant to be woven into the fabric of our very being.

Janet, as you celebrate your birthday today, I just wanted to remind you again that you are a very special person. It’s important to me that you always remember that. Thank you for all the giggles, encouraging words, sunny memories, and above all the gift of your cherished friendship. I love you. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

You ask me whether I am in good spirits. How could I not be so? As long as faith gives me strength I will always be joyful! (Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati)

Kindhearted, amusing and cheerful are the first three words I would use to describe my new friend, Dianne Modleski. She’s pictured at the far left in the above photo. She’s an upbeat, joyful mom of two sons and the wife of a pretty terrific guy named Matt. I met Dianne shortly after my son, Zach, started playing baseball with a great group of mostly Our Lady of Mt. Carmel boys a couple of years ago. Quickly, I learned that she’s the owner of both a witty and self-deprecating sense of humor as well as a very welcoming heart! She went out of her way to be friendly to Tom and I when our family landed on the scene. Sure, this may seem like it’s an easy thing to do– smile and chat to draw in the new people– but it’s often surprising how few people see, understand, and apply themselves to that most Christian of tasks. I adore welcoming souls like Dianne!!

This morning, as I was sitting at the McDonalds on SR 32 in Westfield drinking an iced tea and killing time while Zach had his second golf lesson with a very encouraging young golf pro at nearby Pebble Brooke Golf Course, I thought to myself how grateful I was for my friend Dianne. She has unwittingly assumed the role of “golf mom mentor” in my life. You see, the Z-man has decided he is crazy about golf and he wants to try and work on his game. I am thrilled to see his passion and desire to dig in, so I reached out for an assist. Dianne’s son Keaton was a HS golf state finalist this year on the GC team, and her younger son Jake is a pretty solid golfer who will try and take over where his brother left off when he joins the Golden Eagles on the links next spring. I think I waited a total of about 3 minutes before Dianne thoughtfully replied with several suggestions that might be helpful…including the name of our new friend, Brandon Smart, the golf pro I mentioned.

The Modleski’s are a faith-filled family, and Dianne’s love of Christ definitely shows by the way she has leaned in and trusted the Lord in both good times and much more challenging moments of her life, as well as in the way she loves her boys and Matt. Her joyful witness of faith has made a significant impact on me, and I have only known her for a fairly short time. My gratitude for the sharing about her life she has gifted me with is significant. Sometimes, people don’t realize how much impact their witness has on those around them, and I suspect Dianne is one of those folks who underestimates the positive difference she makes for in the lives of others.

Dianne and Matt live on a beautiful piece of property just north of SR 32 that we have had the chance to enjoy a few times now. We’re way overdue to reciprocate, by the way! In the meantime, I wanted to simply take a moment to tell you, Dianne, that you are a giant scoop of awesome sauce! I truly believe the Lord sent you in my direction to help me remember, by your example, how important it is to be welcoming as well as grateful and filled with joy for all the blessings God gives us each day! I hope you have a terrific 4th of July week, filled with laughter and smiles!!

The greatest marriages are built on teamwork…a mutual respect, a healthy dose of admiration and a never ending portion of love and grace. (F. Weaver)

This week, a really special couple, Rita and Danny O’Malia, celebrated 50 years of marriage. I’m almost halfway there, since Tom and I will reach the 25 year mark this coming October, so I think I am just beginning to realize what makes a marriage great. Folks like my own parents, my in-laws and the O’Malias have all given me great clues about how to get there from here. Several days ago, I wrote about Danny O’Malia and today I’d like to say a few words about his amazing bride, Rita.

Rita is the mom and grandmother to a large and amazing group of folks, many of whom are close friends. I consider her a friend, too, actually. She’s sassy, thoughtful, and incredibly upbeat. She makes the world brighter with her sunny face and warmth. It seems to me that as one half of a terrific couple, Rita knows interiorly that a successful, long marriage isn’t about being perfect but accepting with love and grace the flaws of one another. I kind of adore the witness of both she and Danny on this point and have tried to remember that in my own marriage.

Straightforward, forthright and outspoken, Rita is stunningly generous with her love and her time. She’s nearly always had a grandchild under toe when I’ve seen her in the years I’ve known her, and she’s got the gift of hospitality without a doubt! She’s genuine and utterly unafraid to tell it like it is! Nothing appeals to me much more than authenticity, so this is probably one of the reasons I most respect her.

Rita is a faith-filled woman who always seems to be busy helping others. She fiercely loves, generously forgives, and her heart is beautiful. She’s a blessing to all and an example to everyone who knows her when it comes to perseverance through traumatic crisis. I cannot imagine as a mother myself conducting myself with the grace that Rita has displayed after the loss of a child. She’s the example of living our faith, trusting that God’s grace is sufficient, even when our hearts are pierced to inconsolable.

I want you to know, Rita, that I miss Shannon too. I continue to pray for you and your husband, Con and Danny, Jan, Colleen and all the rest of your clan. You honor Shan’s incredible memory by the way you live your life, by your frequently offered smile, and especially by the way you treat others kindly. CONGRATULATIONS on your 50th Anniversary! You are a fantastic human and I have mad respect for you!