Two Ladies with a Cool Cat in a Hot Town

(Along with a Pseudo-gnome)
Recall the earlier posting which depicted the route taken by Alex and Jes in their cross-country travels with Alex's cat, Zeus. As promised, Alex has made pictures of the trip available and they can be seen by clicking on the below pictures. The references to the pseudo-gnome involves the waylaid plans of Alex and Jes to take the VT Gnome with them on the trip. Due to last minute changes in plans because of Jes' difficulties in getting a flight out of Ithaca, the gnome was inadvertently left at JW's memorial. Thus, Alex and Jes had to scrounge around for a last-minute replacement and you can see what they came up with in the below pictures.

Cross Country Trip

Yet More Renewal

BLOSSOM WATCH

Requium Redux

Recall the earlier posting regarding a dear radio show and how on April 7th we looked upon it as a fitting requiem for John, especially since part of it was recorded that fateful Saturday afternoon. Once again, Vin's show was on Easter Sunday eve and his musical selection was most appropriate when reflecting upon John's life. It can be found here by simply scrolling down to the show for March 22nd.

The Blooms Keep on Renewing

According to the Washington Post, they should peak on John's big little brother's birthday, April 3rd.

Still Renewing

Per the earlier posts here, here, and here, the season's still renewing!

Catholic Standard Article

Our local archdiocesan newspaper, the Catholic Standard, recently did a feature article on Mother Catherine Spalding School. In it, they made mention of the technology scholarship fund established by John's family and friends in his memory. You can read the entire article by clicking on each individual picture.

Renewal (Con't)

Track the progress from post to post.

Scholarship Fund Update

A tax-deductible charitable scholarship fund in John's memory has been established at Mother Catherine Spalding School. For those interested, tax-deductible contributions can be made to:

MCSS for J.W. Leonard Technology Scholarship

and can be mailed to:

Mother Catherine Spalding School
Helen, MD 20635

Thanks to all for your continuing generosity and for helping the "Big Geek foster a lot of little geeks."

Renewal (Con't)

Per the earlier post, the blossoms continue to progress.

Another Road Trip

The weekend of March 7th, Alex headed to San Francisco to embark on the next phase of her life plan. Of the many passions John and Alex shared, one was a sense of adventure. In that vein, Alex was determined to drive cross country to her new home and job and visit New Orleans along the way. To do so, she enlisted John's sister Jes in the cause and together with Alex's cat Zeus, they set off on an over 3,300 mile journey westward. Their itinerary is depicted on the map above (click on the map to see their route in detail). Check back for pictures of their trip, with JW looking over them all along the way.

Renewal

Another year -- spring is here -- and perpetual life manifests itself all around us. Recall that central to John's memorial is a bench shaded by three cherry trees that are identical to those surrounding the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. One of John’s last days was spent lying with Alex under the cherry trees at the Tidal Basin while they were in full bloom. His memorial was intended, in part, to forever bloom on the upcoming anniversary and as you can tell by these pictures, that anniversary is approaching. Check back often to see how this living memorial continues to manifest itself and remind us of the beauty of John's life, both earthly and heavenly.

Today is Easter

Today is Easter and a time to especially remember JW. Last Easter, God welcomed John home. Now he watches over all of us, protecting and nourishing all those he loved during his short life.

John's love for his Mom and Dad, Jess, Mike, Alex, Gina and all his friends and family is eternal. Our love for him is also eternal...extending beyond the world as we can understand it. JW is with us every day, in our hearts and in our spirit.

JW, Happy Easter!

love, Aunt Susan & Uncle John

Yet Another Photo of John

...we had not seen before. Here is John and Alex on the Mall in DC at a kickball game -- most likely in June '06.