He Never Misses

Shelly Thieme:

Always Editing

  • Mad for…Dom

    Never give up, never give in, and when the upper hand is ours, may we have the ability to handle the win with the dignity that we absorbed the loss. (Doug Williams)

    Above: (l to r) Ty Schwegman, Zach Thieme, Malcolm Houze, and on the far right in the BC sweatshirt is Dom Ferrucci.

    Above: Vincent and Dom Ferrucci at the Red Sox game!

    They say the only way to prove you are a good sport is to lose. I’m not sure if Dominic Ferrucci would agree with that sentiment or not. Would you say losing that BC vs PU matchup last fall helped or hindered your sportsmanship, Dom?! Ha! I can’t resist teasing this quick-witted kid. I do know this, I have never in my life met another human being who is more passionate about sports– especially those with roots in Boston– and that is saying something! He loves the Boston Red Sox, Boston College, the Bruins…and even the dreaded Patriots. In his case, “love” isn’t really a strong enough word. Enjoying these teams seems to give him life.

    Dom is a SENIOR in high school this year, which is frankly blowing my mind! When I first met him, he was still in a car seat in the back of my friend Julie’s minivan. He’s the joyful, faith-filled middle son of Steve and Julie Ferrucci and the brother of Vincent and Anthony. He has always had a contagious laugh and a smile that’s a mile wide.

    Articulate, sassy, and yes, a little “smart-assy”, Dom has a lot of thoughts and you needn’t even ask for them and they shall be yours! He’s a bright light in his family and to all he encounters! His sense of humor and integrity make him a blessing. He’s a talented writer with a bright future, too!

    On the basketball court, Dom’s hustle and defensive intensity are impossible to miss. In the dugout and on the baseball field, his positive spirit brings energy and enthusiasm to the team. This fall, he’s headed back out to the gridiron after a break, and I can’t wait to cheer him on as his Golden Eagles take to the field! We consider Dom to be family.

    Today, I ran into this quote at the top of the page in an article I was reading and it made me think of Dominic, which is why I’ve chosen to write about him today. Dom, I want you to know that I think you are a highly intelligent, funny, integrity-filled, sports-obsessed, giant scoop of awesome sauce! I wish you much success your senior year. Love you, kid! I’ll be the loud one sitting next to your mom cheering for you all year!! Go, Golden Eagles!!

  • Mad for…Susan

    Be careful what you tolerate. You are teaching people how to treat you.

    Several days back, I saw on social media the above quote posted by a great mom of two terrific young men. I had previously met Susan, but I got to know her through my kid and his Golden Eagles football team. “Be careful what you tolerate. You are teaching people how to treat you.” Oh my goodness if there’s ever been truth, this one convicted me a little!

    When I noticed that today was her birthday, I decided that Susan deserved some love today, because you see, I was paying attention to her words and…what goes around, comes around!

    Two years ago, my middle son, Drew, decided to take up the sport of football. He hadn’t played since I think his CYO team in the 5th grade. By this time, however, he was 6’5 high school senior and quite a bit sturdier. It was a fun fall for the Thiemes as Coach Tom Dilley and the football family at Guerin Catholic are just incredible. One of the reasons for this has to do with the culture that has been cultivated in the program itself and amongst the families participating.

    For instance, as Drew and his teammates were warming up for their game at Broad Ripple High School, Tom and I parked our car on the street and decided to go grab a drink and a bite to eat nearby. It was just the two of us, and we sat at the bar. We were there maybe 5 minutes when the very congenial and warm Susan Albert tapped us on the shoulder and said, “Well, we see you’re wearing purple, and you’ve just GOT to join us!”

    We proceeded to laugh and truly enjoy the start of our night with two families we didn’t really know, but because of Susan and her sunshine and hospitality, we felt like we’d been members of the Golden Eagle Football family for years! Susan was the living embodiment of Romans 15:7. “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” A little kindness goes a long way.

    Do you know what I find utterly beautiful? The souls of folks like Susan who notice someone outside their circle of friends and welcome them inside. No one is a stranger with the very funny, outgoing, hard-working and big hearted Susan Albert. Also? The woman can cook, AND her boys are pretty solid human beings and talented academically and athletically. She’s clearly a truly loving mother, and they are blessed.

    Thanks, Susan, for being such a rock star! How you treat others has made me aspire to the same! I hope those gorgeous guys of yours treat you like a QUEEN BEE today because that is absolutely what you deserve!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

  • Mad for…Tim

    When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. (Steve Jobs)

    July 22, 2019–

    If you see this handsome guy on the left, above, tomorrow, wish him a Happy Birthday for me! This is Tim Coulon. He’s pictured here with his adorable son, Josh, and his gorgeous wife, Jen. It’s been many years since I have seen Tim, but we used to work together on projects a lot many moons ago. Every once in a while, I hear a little update on the Coulon family from our mutual friend, Kathleen Lupke…or when Tom and I happen to run into Barbara and Jim Coles at dinner!! He has no idea I have been keeping tabs on him. I’ve always had a soft spot for Tim!

    Tim has been working in graphic design about 30 years if my math is correct, and he leads the creative division at Coles Marketing Communications. I know he’s been there for nearly a couple decades by now, but I actually met him BEFORE he took that job. He worked at a little print shop at Keystone at the Crossing, and even back then he was a GENIUS! Tim seemed to have a knack with designing marketing pieces for me during my tenure at RE/MAX that made it seem to me like the guy could read minds. I was a little crabby and high maintenance sometimes during those stressful days, but Tim was never anything but a true professional. He’s an out of the box thinker with a terrific work ethic and gifted at client service. In short, he’s an integrity filled person.

    Here’s the other thing about Tim. He’s a positive, sunny and joyful human who wears his heart on his sleeve. He cares and it shows. He connects with others better than most, and for that reason, I know sweet Josh is extremely blessed to call him Dad.

    Tim, I wish you nothing but much happiness today and always! I am literally decades overdue in thanking you for your kindness and acknowledging your giftedness! I hope Jen and Josh spoil you like crazy tomorrow! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

  • Mad for…Cindy

    I say to myself that I shall try to make my life like an open fireplace, so that people may be warmed and cheered by it and so go out themselves to warm and cheer. (George Matthew Adams)

    The cheerful spirit pictured above on the left is Cindy Boise. With her is her beautiful and outgoing daughter, Audrey, one of Cindy and Tod Boise’s four children. I met Cindy when she was assistant to the principal at Guerin Catholic. In that role she loved joking and laughing alongside the people with whom she came into contact, and in return, we’d seek her out! I definitely got the better end of that bargain!

    Cindy is a people person as well as a phenomenally supportive mom to her (nearly?) grown children. Or as my mom says it, “They may be juvenile, but they can all be tried as adults now.” HA? The joyfulness she exudes is contagious, and therefore when I would speak with her during her GCHS days, I would catch it too. There’s nothing fake about Cindy, and she doesn’t try to be perfect. What she does do is share with the world the best version of Cindy Boise, and I just adore that quality! She’s authentic and very funny. She seems to inherently understand that gratefulness and faith are the places to focus each day.

    I am fairly certain that Cindy is now working for Merchant’s Bank. I could be wrong about that, because I lost track of her when our kids, my Drew and her Audrey, graduated together from high school in 2018. What I haven’t forgotten though is that gorgeous smile or how much she always inspired me to stay happy and think positive.

    Thank you, Cindy, for helping me to remember not to let negativity or a little chaos get me down. It was an important lesson that you probably didn’t even know you were helping me learn at the time. Your enthusiasm for life and your joyful heart are blessings to all who know you. I am WAY OVERDUE to thank you for sharing your genuine positivity and warmth during every interaction! I am working hard to follow your lead, and to pay forward what I learned from you…and I am grateful to know you!

  • Mad for…Michelle, Polly and Kristy!

    Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. (Nelson Mandela)

    Above: Michelle Mates and her gorgeous boys

    Above: The Thomas Family

    Above: The Worthingtons

    I’m breaking with “Mad for” tradition today and celebrating THREE amazing women this evening. Let me explain. This morning I woke at 5:40am in Hilton Head Island, and as I type now it’s nearly 10pm in Carmel, Indiana. Most of the intervening hours I was sitting shotgun in my Dodge Durango as Tom guided us safely home across the (very hot) eastern portion of this great nation. This gave me PLENTY of time to scroll through my emails as well as my Facebook feed. It was then that I noticed something really AWESOME. I kept thinking about it as the hours passed, and then I decided that must be the Holy Spirit leading me to where I am right this moment– attempting to celebrate the impressive accomplishments of these terrific moms who clearly have a passion for learning!

    My friends, Michelle Mates, Polly Thomas, and Kristy Worthington are collectively the mothers to 11 children. As they have been working and raising their families for the last few years, they have been studying for their master’s degrees! Each of them finished up their work in recent days, and I just wanted to take a moment to say how incredibly impressive this is to me!

    I suppose I do believe that if you are eager and determined to learn, nothing and no one can stand in your way. Still, to be in the midst of raising young families and to successfully get masters degrees in Social Work (Michelle) and Education (Polly and Kristy)…well…color me dazzled!

    Michelle is a beautiful, articulate and funny woman with an hilariously sarcastic sense of humor. I met her working in the lunchroom at our kid’s school which does create excellent fodder for amusement. Her positivity is palpable and she’s easy to be around. She was passing out lunch plates at SLDM, raising 3 boys with her husband, Marty Mates, working at the time to help young children by providing prevention education in youth abuse, and completing her Master’s degree. What a slacker, ha?!

    Polly Thomas is the gorgeous, faith-filled and highly intelligent mom to 5 and the wife of Eric. She’s a terrific teacher at St. Louis de Montfort. So, she’s been completing her Master’s in education at Ball State while grading papers and getting FIVE young people to and from school and all their various events? I could barely hold it together with three sons and I don’t have a teaching gig or master’s classes to manage. Polly….just WOW! You are the real deal!

    Kristy Worthington I have mentioned to you before. She’s one of the sunniest humans I’ve ever encountered. Honestly, her three kiddos and Joel are just beyond blessed. How did she manage to keep her poise and patience in the classroom and continue to ooze faithfulness while holding down a full time job as a teacher, raising 3 amazing kids and taking classes of her own? Girl, I am just in awe!

    Tonight, I just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS, LADIES!! All three of you have set the bar high with your character and intelligence. I think Jesus is looking down smiling at all three of you and your incredible work ethic as well as the witness you have given to all around you with your life and your accomplishments! WAY TO GO!!

  • Mad for…Kim

    Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political or social boundaries. (Jimmy Carter)

    July 19, 2019– This week, the 5 of us have been on vacation in South Carolina. Since Saturday, we’ve been staying at a beautiful condo on the ocean in Palmetto Dunes. Most mornings, the four guys have headed to the golf course while I head to the beach to read. However, this morning, we went another way!

    We traveled today to the Coastal Discovery Museum and took an Eco-Tour on Segways! That’s where we met our lovely tour guide, Kim! Kim, who is a Georgia native, has lived for some time on Hilton Head, and she was an extremely knowledgeable and friendly gal. She reminded me so much of my friend Mary Hansen with her voice and mannerisms, and also she kind of even looked a bit like Mary.

    What made Kim special was the enthusiastic and passionate way she shared with us about everything from the native horses to the live oaks, and the oyster shells being collected from island restaurants to preserve the reefs. We learned that over 500,000 trees on the island were lost during Hurricane Hugo, which didn’t hit the island directly but packed a big wallop all the same.

    Tom had previously ridden a Segway, but the other 4 of us had not. I was a bit nervous that my balance wouldn’t be up to the task, but Kim was patient and confident and I was able to get the hang of it in no time at all.

    Clearly a lover of nature and the environment as well as all things historic, Kim made our morning a terrific experience with her positivity! If you are ever here and looking for something fresh to try, I highly recommend Segway of Hilton Head Island…and ask for Kim!!

  • Mad for…Lauren

    There are lives I can imagine without children but none of them have the same laughter and noise. (Brian Andreas)

    July 18, 2019– Of all the moms I know, and there are many, Lauren Ayers is on the top of my list of the ones I most admire. She has bad days, awesome days, typical ones and super mom days. What makes her special is the way she seems to love and embrace the real, crazy, chaotic work of motherhood. In the midst of the mess, she has an inner peacefulness about her that speaks to me of her belief in God which somehow helps her know interiorly that she’s doing better than she sometimes thinks she is.

    Like moms everywhere, Lauren constantly puts the needs of others ahead of her own. How can she not? She’s the mother of 6! Those boys and little Mary are a handful. However, I’ve been watching her for years teach the hard lessons, over and over again. She’s a patient woman of God who sees the big picture– the heartbeat of the Ayers household. I’m sure her husband, Anthony would agree. How she gets 6 kids reasonably dressed and makes it to mass every weekend with them, I have zero clue!

    Lauren is a competitive woman from Michigan, a Butler grad, and she’s got a super sense of humor and a great smile which help her through life. It’s fun to watch games with her, because the woman can get fired up! I love it!! She’s incredibly beautiful, even with no makeup and her hair pulled in a ponytail while she’s dusting off the skinned knees of one of her kids.

    When she’s tired, she keeps going. When she’s overwhelmed, she persists. She’s amazing, wonderful, and a life changer for those young, gorgeous kiddos. She’s their glue person, the proverbial “default parent”. As they say, if you aren’t sure you are the default parent, then you aren’t!! With a big brood to care for, that’s a lot of jobs defaulting to my friend Lauren.

    I just wanted to reach out today and let you know, Lauren, in case no one mentioned it today…YOU ARE A GREAT MOM! Sometimes, it’s nice to hear it out loud. The Lord loves the way you shine, my friend!

  • Mad for…JoEllen

    People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. (Maya Angelou)

    July 17, 2019– Did you ever meet someone and just immediately think to yourself how much you like them? For me, that was the case with JoEllen Simmons, who as I recall is a native of Wheatfield, Indiana. She’s the mom to triplets, Tavic, Tanner and Avery and the wife of Mike. They are pictured with her, above.

    The Simmons family is one we know from our baseball years. Drew played on Carmel teams in the summertime with Tavic and Tanner, and very often I sat right next to JoEllen at those games. Why? Well, first of all, just like me she was interested in sitting near the action behind home plate. Many games, her son Tavic was pitching to her other son Tanner. So, I suppose she wanted the best view of them doing their thing. More importantly, JoEllen always made me feel welcome.

    Most of the boys on those Carmel teams over the years that both my older sons played on were comprised, unsurprisingly, of young men who went to school together in the Carmel school system. Ours were Catholic school kids, so we were always hunting for the smiling “we’ve got room for you here” kind of folks who welcomed us in. That was ALWAYS JoEllen. She’s got the gift of hospitality. In today’s hurting culture, that gift is more valuable than ever and a very useful and godly witness to those around her.

    JoEllen is a generous, compassionate and affirming person. I never told her how much her kindness and hospitality meant to our little family of “outsiders”. She offered us space, welcomed us in, and shoved bottles of water at our kid when he looked pathetically dehydrated and we weren’t there to look after him ourselves because we had 3 games at the same time and we were chasing our tails! She’s a jewel, and today is her birthday. I am WAY past overdue to thank JoEllen for the gift of kindness she gives to others, and the hospitality she always showed to me at those endless summer baseball games. I read somewhere that hospitality is simply love on the loose. I couldn’t agree more. I don’t really remember what she ever said to me, I just remember her smile and how it ALWAYS made me feel like I was welcome to plop down my chair behind home plate next to her. YOU ARE A FANTASTIC HUMAN, JOELLEN!! The world could use a lot more folks just like you!

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOELLEN!! We hope your crew celebrates your awesomeness in a big way today!

  • Mad for…Sha

    Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer (Romans 12:12)

    July 16, 2019– Several years ago when our sons, Joey and Drew, were playing baseball together for the Carmel Pups, I found myself with a seriously broken down minivan at a tournament in Jasper, Indiana. It was about this time in the summer and the temperature was about 95 degrees, so I was dripping with sweat and not a small amount cranky. I needed a savior, and that’s when Sha Butz swooped in to save the day! I wanted to just shove my vehicle off a bridge into the river, but instead that darn van would remain in southern Indiana for a couple weeks at a repair shop. Lucky for us, the hilarious and very silly Sha made us forget our vehicle woes that weekend. We went where she went, because, well, she was our wheels. I recall very clearly laughing until I had tears rolling down my cheeks when she decided to try on the underwear over her clothing at the Jasper Walmart. Sha is lively and amusing mixed with a pinch of ridiculous– and completely lovable!

    If my memory serves, Sha is a Butler grad from Kokomo. She’s married to a terrific human named Steve, and together they have three super kids– Evan, Joey, and Erica– as they appear from left to right in the photo above with their parents.

    For me, Sha’s got two defining qualities that make her stand out from others. First, she’s incredibly joyful, and more importantly, she is a woman of God. She has endured her share of suffering, and because she truly loves the Lord, it’s evident to me that it’s only sharpened her character and produced perseverance. That’s why I chose my favorite scripture verse to honor her today.

    Those three young people pictured with her above are blessed beyond words to have a spiritual soul like Sha as their mother. I have no doubt that from her they have learned an infinite amount about positivity and integrity as well as grace and gratitude. Also, they’ve learned not to take themselves or this life too seriously.

    I don’t see Sha much these days, but I did run into her a few weeks ago while she was out to dinner with Steve and some friends. She went out of her way to come say hello and give Tom and I both a big hug. That’s Sha! She’s always got a big grin that fills the area with her sunshine. She’s like a big glass of ice cold lemonade on a hot day– so cool and refreshing! Thank you Sha Butz for the amazing woman that you are! Your sparkle is encouraging and inspiring to all of us who have the good fortune to know you!