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The Vasich Family Wishes You a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The year has gone by quickly, but not without many special events for our family. While we continue to mourn Greg’s loss, the year was full of moments to celebrate successes and transitions. In the past year Mike graduated from Macalester College, Chris graduated from Naperville Central High School, and Paul graduated from Lincoln Junior High. Much has changed and is changing in the lives of our sons, and 2005 was a year to remember.

As the New Year began, we realized that we were moving on from the year of our son Greg’s death. It was a moment to reflect and realize that time would move on for us, and that while we would still cry daily and hold our son dear in our hearts, our lives and attention must focus more on Mike, Chris, and Paul.

Mike was very busy completing his studies at Macalester in the winter and spring of 2005. He was part of the Macalester College choir that toured several Northeast colleges and universities. One of Mike’s requirements for graduation was a senior recital, which was held on April 27. Besides Mike, participants in the 2 hour recital included many fellow student vocalists and classical, jazz, rock and rap musicians. The program integrated several solo piano pieces written and performed by Mike, a string quartet performing Mike’s composition, and a trombone quartet performing “Prayer for Greg” written by Mike. It was a truly memorable night and a memorable performance by Mike and his fellow students.

Mike surprised us this spring when he announced that he going to start working right after graduation for Carnival Cruise lines playing piano for the show band and jazz combo on the “Holiday” ship. In July, Carol, Milt, Chris, and Paul took a weeklong cruise on the ship “Holiday”, visiting and vacationing with Mike. Great fun and a good experience, he may cruise again this spring, although presently he’s busy living in St. Paul, playing in 2 bands, managing a bagel shop, and teaching.

While Mike was finishing school and cruising, Chris was heading down the home stretch towards high school graduation. He was recruited for track by several top colleges and universities. After many trips around the country, Chris established relationships with several coaches and teams, especially Princeton and Wisconsin. When the coach from Wisconsin started calling regularly we figured that he was headed to our alma mater. We were happy because we were looking forward to many trips back for track meets and other events. However, when April 1 rolled around Chris received an acceptance letter from Princeton. Although it was far from home, his excitement upon receiving the news clearly told us where he would go to school. We were obviously thrilled, realizing what a great opportunity awaited him.

Before heading to Princeton, Chris still had high school graduation and an outdoor track season ahead. The track season was a successful one, concluding with a second place finish in the state for the 110 meter hurdles and a fifth place finish in the 300 meter hurdles. Presently, Chris is running hurdles for Princeton and finished 6th (from a field on 28) in the 60 meter hurdles in his first race as a collegian at the New Years’ Invitational on December 10.

Chris was a finalist for Mr. NCHS (Naperville Central High School), which is a male talent show and school fund raising program. He did a terrific 10 minute stand up comedy routine (including some original material and his favorite borrowed material) in front of a packed auditorium. Fun times!

Graduation from college for Mike and high school graduation for Chris weren’t the only transitions taking place. Paul was finishing Lincoln Junior High school in June 2005. He was definitely ready to move on and is very happy at Naperville Central High school. He runs Cross Country in the fall and Track in the spring. He prefers the longer races like the 400 or 800 Meter run. He is busy with friends, movies and computer games. He plays the baritone saxophone in the Wind Symphony at NCHS. Paul has grown to 6 feet tall and is a lot of fun to be around. Watching him grow-up and living through those high school years again is a great source of comfort for us. He’s a little bored with only his parents at home and is so happy to have his brothers back home for the holidays.

While we’ve been busy trying to keep up with these guys, we have had a few projects of our own. Carol did a great job setting up the web site for Greg www.gregvasich.com and is involved many other activities. She is in her 14th year working for the Naperville School district splitting her time between Occupational Therapy and Assistive Technology.

I had my 30 year anniversary at the RRB in July 2005, and plan to work another 9 (we’ll see). I completed coursework towards a master’s degree in public administration and hope to get my capstone paper finished and graduate in 2006.

The year ends with happiness and great hopes for our sons and sadness that another Christmas will be celebrated without our dear oldest son Greg. While we are sad, we find comfort and relief in celebrating the holiday with our 3 sons and extended family and in witnessing the joy of others celebrating the holidays. We hope that Christmas and the New Year finds you with the ones you love.

Best wishes to all from,

Milt and family