Merry Christmas 2010
As oil washes ashore on Dauphin Island, ducks refuse to flee - photographed June 9, 2010
28 years ago, Rosie and I were expecting our first child, Vera. On a mid-December day, not unlike today, I was worried about our child’s future and how Rosie and I might do and make do as parents. A sudden thought crossed my mind: Jesus was born in a stable. It hit me hard – like I had never heard the Christmas story before. Being welcomed by animals, with nowhere else to go, Mary and Joseph wrapped him in rags and laid him in a manger. But the angels sang, “Glory to God in the Highest!” Somehow the paradoxes of it all showed me the path of trust and the knowledge of who to trust in.
Today, I think of so many who are suffering, who like Jesus have not been given a place, and yet I am filled with hope that not poverty, oil spills, wars, or anything else can take away the glorious future that is reaching out to the human family.
Reviewing this past year, I can hardly believe its momentousness. I’ve gathered some pictures below to tell something of this extraordinary year (click on pictures to see larger photo).
Vera Marries Ryan |
|
 Vera and Ryan were married on January 31, 2010 - Ryan is a wonderful gift to our family. |
 Vera and Ryan on Dauphin Island beach for Thanksgving 2010. Vera and Ryan are now expecting their first child. |
More Family Pictures |
|
 Edward is confirmed - Nick is his sponsor  Gabriel returning from a summer's work with Earthen Vessels Outreach in Pittsburgh. Nick spent the summer there too. Ryan and Vera are involved with this ministry too.  Rosie kept care of all of us, taught yoga, ... |
 Mignon graduates from Bryant High School and goes to Auburn University  Leo and friends representing Poland at the Model United Nation in Mobile  Julita (on right) and her cousin Claire playing in the Mississippi Sound |
Responding to Oil Catastrophe |
|
 Thanks to the clean-up workers who at the risk of their health dealt with much of the hazardous waste - photographed November 13, 2010  Leo, Julita, and Edward invited people to Hands Across the Sand on Dauphin Island's public beach, photographed June 24, 2010  Many sand crabs became stressed and unable to move well, photographed July 22, 2010.  At Future of the Gulf Community Brainstorms, small groups shared experiences, ideas, and plans, photographed July 21, 2010  Mapping project using camera-lifting baloons, photographed November 13, 2010 on Sand Island |
 Oil soaking edge of tidal pool, photographed July 5, 2010  Sharing positive energy after Hands Across the Sand on Dauphin Island, photographed June 26, 2010 by Theresa Robinson  My brother, Joe, captaining his boat, Mojoe, on one of our many trips to the Katrina Cut beaches  An animated small group discussion during the Future of the Gulf - Community Brainstorm, photographed July 21, 2010  People networked and brought proposals to the Coastal Recovery Commission of Alabama |
Loving Nature and Life |
|
 Dauphin Island sea grass before the spill took its toll on it  The fragileness and beauty of life - Dauphin Island - photographed by Edward Denton  We were blessed by many birthday parties  Dauphin Island children played soccer throughout the year  Gatherings with extended Denton family |
 Herons making do during the spill - photograph by Edward Denton  My very old friend the magnolia tree of the Audubon Bird Sanctuary  We were also blessed by dancing friends, birds, plants, and fish  Friends gather awaiting the midnight solstice lunar eclipse  Gatherings with extended Toomer family |
Merry Christmas Everyone!
December 21, 2010
· 
Leo Denton · 
19 Comments
Tags: Christmas · Posted in: Encouragement, Endurance, Nature, Oil spill
19 Responses
Merry Christmas!
Report comment
Merry Christmas to the Dauphin Island Branch of our wonderful expanding family…This year wll be added our Baby England, the first child of Vera and Ryan England, who will be a another Blessing to us all…As in Leo’s thoughts about Christmas, Leo and Rosie did begin in humble circumstances and gave birth to their first child, Vera, almost in stable like fashion, like Jesus…Our entire family has been greatly Blessed by Leo and Rosie and their entire family…May God continue to Bless them, as they share their Blessings with all they meet….Love and many Blessings to all, Grandy Denton
Report comment
Merry Christmas Leo! What a wonderful summary of your family’s bustling, joyous year!
Blessings,
Amanda
Report comment
Leo,
It has been such a pleasure working with you and getting to know you, even under these strange circumstances. Have a wonderful Christmas and I look forward to continuing to work with you as we move into the next phase of coastal recovery.
Report comment
Merry Christmas! Can’t wait to visit you and your beautiful family again soon! With love, :DD
Report comment
Thank you for sharing, your wonderful family with us. Love you
Report comment
Merry Christmas to all the Dentons! Loved the update and pictures – thanks for sharing a snapshot of your year.
Report comment
Merry Christmas to the Denton extended family. Great pictures!
Report comment
Leo and Family:
Merry Christmas to you!
May your lives continue to be wonderfully blessed each and every day.
Steph
Report comment
A very “Merry Christmas” to you Leo and Rosie…and to your beautiful family! Thanks so much for sharing the wonderful pictures of your life during the past year. May the good Lord bless you all throughout this New Year!
Joe
Report comment
Leo,
Wow!!! What a wonderful synopsis of a great year for the Denton family.
“…and yet I am filled with hope that not poverty, oil spills, wars, or anything else can take away the glorious future that is reaching out to the human family.” Thanks for your contagious optimism and positive mindset.
May you and the rest of the Denton family have a blessed Christmas and a Joyous New Year.
Report comment
Omnia vincit amor! (Love conquers all!)…what a touching and exemplary model for the rest of us…recognizing the sacredness of human beings and nature! God bless, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, love, aidan
Report comment
So wonderful to see these photos and get a glimpse of this year’s happenings for you all. A very blessed, joyous Christmas and fruitful new year!
Love,
Sarah and Juan Lorenzo
Report comment
A poet’s eye, a father’s heart, a soulful love of the world: thanks for sharing all of this and your beautiful family – who clearly draw from the same wells – with the rest of us. A healthful, peaceful, and rewarding year to all.
Report comment
Really enjoyed the pictures!
Report comment
We sure enjoyed all these photos! And I can tell you for sure that Amani, Troy and I miss ALL of you in a very BIG way. Wish we could be with you this holiday season and stir up some more joy and laughter. You’re in our hearts and prayers. Congratulations all around!
Love,
Colette
Report comment
Merry Christmas!
Report comment
Is this the same Rosie Toomer who went to a retreat at Madonna House in northern Ontario in the 1970’s? If so I was there with her. The lady Rose looks the same. I believe Rosie was from Biloxi Mississippi. I lived in London Onatrio and attended Seminary at the UNiversity of Wester Ontario. I wsa then intrested in becoming a nun and involved in many retreats. Emma
Report comment
Yes it is!
Report comment
Leave a Reply