The Time Is Now for 2026 🕊️

Wishing family and friends,

near and far, a peaceful and Happy New Year

We gave up making New Year’s resolutions

a long time ago. They always seemed to live

somewhere ahead of us. So instead,

We arrive here

A breath

A warm cup

A quiet morning light

Nothing needs fixing.

Nothing needs waiting.

The call can be made

The kindness can be offered

The first small step can happen

right now

Let go of later.

Let go of someday.

This moment is already enough

2026 isn’t a promise.

It’s an invitation

To be present.

To be gentle.

To begin—

again.

Remembering Ruby: A Life of Love, Family, and Independence

by Dennis Augustine

“Family meant everything to her, and love was how she lived.”

—Marcie Venturini

Cecile’s beloved cousin, Ruby E. Conway, the last of her generation passed away on December 28, 2025, at the age of 90. She shared 41 wonderful years with her husband and best friend, the late podiatrist, Dr. Victor Conway.

Ruby was a treasured presence at family gatherings—Thanksgivings, brunches, long walks, and heartfelt conversations. Cecile especially cherishes memories of meeting Ruby in Chicago for breakfast or lunch, moments now held even closer.

Cecile and I linked in to a streaming service this morning at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home in Arlighton Hights, Illinois. It reminded us how grateful we felt to have had the chance last September to visit Ruby one last time at her daughter Marcie's home in Palentine—a blessing we will always carry.

A devoted mother to Marcie and Bari, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Ruby was fiercely independent, spirited, and always impeccably put together. She loved Mahjong with friends, giving back through Hadassah, traveling with Vic, and above all, her family.

Her strength, warmth, and love live on in all who knew her.

May her memory be a blessing.

A Mother’s Promise, A Daughter’s Strength: Remembering Selina

by Dennis Augustine

After celebrating Zaila’s birthday in my last post, my heart keeps returning to her beautiful mom—my niece and goddaughter, Selina.

Two years ago, on Zaila’s 13th birthday, Selina left this world—but she never left her daughter’s side. While she was still with us, Selina shared a piece of timeless wisdom with Zaila that feels more prophetic and true today than ever before. These words, from A.A. Milne’s beloved Winnie-the-Pooh, serve as a bridge between a mother’s love and the brave young woman Zaila has become:

"If ever there is a tomorrow when we’re not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we are apart, I’ll always be with you."

Dearest Selina, you are missed, you are loved, and today, you are celebrated alongside your beautiful girl."

✨Zaila’s Magical 15th Birthday at Disneyland!

by Dennis Augustine

Today our hearts are traveling across the miles to the "Happiest Place on Earth." While Cecile and I are here on the West Coast and couldn't be there to observe the celebration in person, we are with you all in spirit as our wonderful great-niece, Zaila, marks her 15th birthday!

It brings us such joy to know Zaila is surrounded by the deepest love, exploring the park (her happy place for years) with a dear friend Valentina who also lost a parent at an early age, her uncles Jake and Joey and grandparents — my sister Josie and brother-in-law Joe McAllister. Having helped raise her, they share a bond that is truly a beautiful remarkable testament to family.

Tomorrow, December 28, carries a special weight in our hearts, as we remember our late beloved niece, Selina, who passed away on Zaila’s birthday two years ago. I still vividly remember the last time I spoke to her; Cecile and I were vacationing in Maui shortly before she passed. We know she is watching over this magical celebration today, present in every smile and every hug.

Happy 15th Birthday, Zaila! You are a light in all of our lives.

#DisneylandMagic #Sweet15 #FamilyLove #InLovingMemory #HappyBirthdayZaila

Chasing the Roar: Where the Water Finds its’ Voice 🚴‍♂️🌧️

After days of winter rain, the spillway at Vasona Lake comes alive—not just flowing, but roaring .

I waited for a lull, timed my ride… and still got caught in the rain . Cold, soaked, smiling.

One stretch of the trail was completely blocked, forcing a detour —a quiet reminder that nature leads, and we follow.

The sound isn’t just noise. It’s water moving fast, colliding, breathing air, releasing energy —a wild hymn of gravity and motion.

Pedaling through wet trails, mist in the air ,

it felt like a blessing: exhilarating, adventurous, and entirely worth it .

Sometimes the ride isn’t about staying dry—it’s about showing up and listening to the roar . Listen to the short video clip of the roar at the end of the photo gallery.

Wrapped in Light: A Christmas Eve Celebration with Family & Friends

by Dennis Augustine

Kim and Al once again hosted a beautifully decorated and joy-filled Christmas Eve dinner—an evening that felt both elegant and warmly inviting. With her event-planning touch, Kim created a setting worthy of Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa style: simple, refined, and full of holiday spirit.

Al prepared and carved melt-in-your-mouth filet mignon, followed by desserts that were nothing short of spectacular.

Before dinner, the magic truly belonged to our grandchildren—Lyla, Emmy, and little Gus—who delighted in opening the beautifully wrapped gifts gathered around the tree.

Cecile and I also enjoyed meeting new friends, Chip's girlfriend Julie's mother Annetta and Tom, who made the trip over the hill from Santa Cruz, adding to the warmth of the evening.

In a sweet Nonnie moment earlier in the week, Cecile and I took Lyla and Emmy for manicures—red polish for the ladies, and in a rare moment, clear polish for me.

Just before dinner came together, I was honored to offer a reading—“A Christmas Eve Gathering of Love and Light.”

Excerpt to follow…

When Christmas Songs Sway: A Youth Hula Night in Maui 🎄

by Dennis Augustine

Merry Christmas everybody — or as they say in Hawaii, “Mele Kalikimaka” This is the time of year when Santa leaves his sleigh at the North Pole and arrives in Maui on his outrigger with his helpers (see photo!)

Hula has a timeless place in Hawaiian culture—beloved by adults and pure magic for children. Sitting poolside with front-row seats, we were close enough to feel every movement and emotion.

This youth hula show at the Marriott Maui Ocean Club added a joyful holiday touch, with “Jingle Bells,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” sung and danced to in both Hawaiian and English .

In hula, the hands tell the story—

the ocean

the wind

love, land, and aloha

All the dancers were mostly children—the youngest just four—and Lyla, Emmy, and little Gus were completely mesmerized. Watching culture passed on with such confidence and joy was truly inspiring.

✨🕯️ A Wisdom Teaching for the 8th and Final night of Chanukah & the Handmade Sculpture I Brought Back from Israel

by Dennis Augustine

— the final lighting carries deep meaning of resilience, hope, and bringing light into the world

Today is the 8th Light candle lighting of Hanukkah.

This light awaits favor from above.

May you find grace where you didn’t expect it.

May doors open without force.

May people see you with goodwill,

not with resistance.

Let what you carry find a place to be received.

Let your presence land gently in the world.

Grace flows when humility becomes light.

Let the light do its work.

— Rabbi Shalom Landau

Source: Adapted from Daily Dose of Torah

Footnote — This metallic sculpture by Frank Meisler dedicated to Reb Alter (Hasidic spiritual leader and founder of Chabad) came home with us after our 3-week pilgrimage to Israel in 1993. It was at the threshold of Jason's Bar Mitzvah year and Michelle was still a child. I am not Jewish (though I celebrate the Jewish holidays with family and friends), yet its stillness, scholarly presence, and sense of devotion spoke to me deeply — then, as it does today.

In Memory of Matilda — The Angelic Innocent 10-Year-Old Terror Attack Victim 🕯️🐝

by Dennis Augustine

While vacationing in Maui, I’ve posted about Cecile and I being deeply shaken by the terrorist attack at the first night of Chanukah by the Sea event at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.

What unfolded was absolute horror — but also humanity. A 43-year-old Muslim man of Syrian descent and father of two daughters, Ahmed al Ahmed courageously disarmed one of the alleged attackers and was seriously wounded in the process. We felt compelled to help and were one of the early donors to support his medical recovery. We also contributed to Chabad Almaden, in Silicon Valley where we live, in memory of the heroic Chabad rabbi, Eli Schlanger, father of 5, who was one of 15 people gunned down, including 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, Alex Kleytman, who shielded his wife Larisa from one of the gunman’s bullets.

One victim has stayed with us above all — 10-year-old Matilda. Her beautiful, angelic smile. Her innocence. As grandparents of three young children, her loss is unbearable to imagine. A child who should have been safe, whose family came seeking peace, taken by hatred.

As we return home to California, we’ve chosen to honor Matilda by donating to her family through a GoFundMe page launched by Matilda’s language teacher, Irina Goodhew, in her mother’s name. May her memory be a blessing

We pray for a world where antisemitism and all hatred are condemned and eliminated, and where compassion always rises higher than violence.

Last Brunch in Paradise 🌴☀️

by Dennis Augustine

Cecile and I enjoyed our last leisurely brunch in paradise at Longhi’s Kaʻanapali—our main (and perfect) meal of the day. We spent the afternoon lounging by the pool, then packed just enough so we could fully savor the evening, letting the surf serenade us one last time.

“Every beautiful chapter knows when to turn the page.”

Advanced Relaxation: Restorative & Yin Yoga — Shared One Class with Sweet Daughter Michelle

by Dennis Augustine

During our stay, I enjoyed restorative & yin yoga at the Thrive Center with the wonderful teacher Kiara . One restorative class even included a firming, moisturizing dermal collagen facial mask —a spa-style touch you’d expect at the Marriott Maui Ocean Club resort , not a typical mainland studio.

I was one of just five in attendance , and to the untrained eye I may have looked completely motionless like a mummy . I was especially happy that while Michelle was visiting with Kyle and the grandkids, she joined me for one special class .

Full-circle moment: I used to teach yoga, certified 25 years ago , and now, while on vacation, I happily show up, slow down, and relax .

Maui magic, movement, and meaningful time together

The Passage of Time & My Father’s Legacy ⏳🎄

by Dennis Augustine

Eight years ago today, December 18, 1917, my siblings and I lost our father, Frank Augustine. I was in Maui then—as I am now—when my sister Josie McAllister called with the sad news.

Dad passed peacefully in our childhood home in Hoboken, NJ, just three weeks shy of his 101st birthday. He lived a life shaped by faith, service, and quiet devotion—to family, country, and community. From the Civilian Conservation Corps and the U.S. Army, to decades of involvement in the Catholic church, scouting, and as a life member of Elks Lodge No. 74, he believed in giving more than taking and leaving things better than he found them.

The Atmos clock circular pendulum pictured here—his most prized possession—no longer moves. It sits frozen in time, yet I still love looking at it. Not as a measure of passing minutes, but as a reminder that what truly matters doesn’t tick away. Some things—values, love, memory—remain fixed, steady, and enduring.

Here in Maui, with the ocean’s rhythm and the soft hush of the trade winds, I feel dad close to me. Christmas was his favorite time of year, a season of light, reflection, and hope—fitting for a man who gave so much of himself to others.

Time moves on. Legacy stays.

May his memory remain a blessing.

An ʻUmalu' Evening: Dinner Poolside at the Hyatt Regency Resort 🌴🍽️

by Dennis Augustine

Umalu means shade or shelter in Hawaiian—perfectly fitting for the evening Cecile and I were seeking. After contending with 24-mph oceanfront winds at the Marriott, we welcomed the calm of ʻUmalu’s glowing, softly lit poolside setting at the Hyatt Regency.

Cecile enjoyed fresh mahi-mahi fish tacos with tortilla chips, while I had a tofu and vegetable stir-fry with chicken over fragrant jasmine rice. A peaceful escape, delicious island flavors, and a sense of shelter just when we needed it.

Kukui: The Feathered Ambassador of Aloha 🦜

by Dennis Augustine

Spending time with Kukui, the salmon-crested Moluccan Cockatoo at the Marriott Ocean Club, is always a joy. Native to Indonesia, this magnificent bird is one of the largest cockatoos—known for remarkable intelligence, affection, and a vibrant personality

Cockatoos symbolize joy, communication, loyalty, and emotional connection, and Kukui embodies them all. Of his many words, his favorite seems to be “Aloha”—a greeting he shares generously with everyone who passes by

Whether we’re heading to the health club or walking our grandkids to the activity centers and shops, Kukui always makes himself known.

Born December 9, 2006, on Kauai, he’s a daily reminder of connection, curiosity, and aloha

Quiet Winds, Simple Joys 🌬️🌴

by Dennis Augustine

With 17-mph trade winds dancing through Maui tonight , Cecile and I chose the easy comfort of Longhi’s—just a stone’s throw from the Lahaina Tower where we’re staying. Instead of the breezy oceanfront terrace , we cozied up in a booth and let the evening unfold at a gentler pace.

Do we miss our kids and grandkids? Always

Are we also enjoying some quiet time just for the two of us? Very much so

Two things can be true at the same time—and for the next three days, we’re embracing both

Dinner was shared and satisfying: a crisp Greek salad , hearty rigatoni with ground sausage , and warm focaccia fresh from the oven. Dessert in our room.

🌺 A Maui Farewell: Last Evening at the Hula Grill

by Dennis Augustine

Last evening, we shared our final family dinner together at the Hula Grill before Michelle, Kyle, Lyla, Emmy, and little Gus headed to Kahului Airport this morning for their return home to California. Goodbyes are never easy

We had also enjoyed the Hula Grill last week with Jason, making this dinner a fitting and meaningful bookend to our time together

The girls were happily focused on two things all evening—the mesmerizing hula dancers and the island favorite, Hula Pie .

We began the night with a group photo in front of the sandcastle created by local artists in the lobby of the Marriott Maui Ocean Resort and ended it with another group photo in front of the beautifully lit giant Christmas wreath outside the back exit of Whalers Village. A perfect Maui ending to a week filled with love, laughter, and treasured family memories .

💔 Hanukkah Night of Terror, Courage, Terror & Resolve — Mass Shooting in Australia

by Dennis Augustine

Cecile and I were shocked and deeply saddened by the terror attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney during the first night of Hanukkah. A celebration of light was shattered by hatred and violence. Dozens were injured and sixteen innocent people were murdered including Chabad Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a devoted father of five — one just two months old — killed in cold blood.

As friends and supporters of Rabbi Mendel Weinfeld, Executive Director of Chabad Almaden in San Jose, this tragedy hits close to home. We were blessed to attend the joyful Chabad Hanukkah celebration at Santana Row in 2024 and would have attended again this year had we not been on a family vacation in Maui.

Rabbi Weinfeld made it clear: it is full steam ahead — working closely with law enforcement to ensure safety while continuing to bring light to the world. He echoed Rabbi Schlanger’s powerful belief:

They try to spread fear — we answer with light.

They try to silence us — we respond with mitzvos (good deeds)

They try to bring darkness — we fill the world with the fire of the menorah.

Amidst the darkness, there was courage: Ahmed al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner and father, reportedly confronted and disarmed one of the attackers — saving lives. The assailants were a father who died on the site and his son who is under custody.

Condolences to the families of the victims who died including a Holocaust surviver. May their memories be a blessing.

Hanukkah Night Turned to Horror We answer hate with light.

From Pool Time to Mai Tais and Dinner at MonkeyPod Kitchen, Kaanapali

by Dennis Augustine

After breakfast with Jason and seeing him off to the airport, we spent the afternoon watching the kids conquer the pirate ship pool with Michelle and Kyle. By evening, it was time to relax—so we headed to Monkeypod Kitchen in Kaʻanapali.

Easy vibe, great service, and food that never disappoints. Fresh island ingredients, perfectly done fish, and those famous mai tais with lilikoi foam that somehow live up to the hype. Monkeypod is casual, welcoming, and always feels like the right Maui move.

A perfect way to end a full day.

An Early Hula Show & a Rain-Kissed Dinner at the Westin Maui Resort 🌧️🌺

by Dennis Augustine

We took the whole family to the complimentary youth hula show at the Marriott Maui Ocean Club. The dancers were all kids—the youngest just four—and ours were completely captivated.

Afterward we walked to the Westin for dinner at Hale Mo‘olalo. A light sprinkle turned into a full Maui downpour—and no umbrellas! But with warm rain, good food, and Gus’s adorable antics, we loved every minute.

The girls wrapped up in Cecile’s beach shawl and towels as we made our rainy dash back. Back at the suite, dessert and tired, happy kids ended the night. A sweet, and another unforgettable Maui evening.

Two Birthdays, One Beautiful Evening at Japengo Restaurant Celebrating Michelle & Lyla!

by Dennis Augustine

Our birthday girls arrived this afternoon, and the kids headed straight to the pool waterfalls for some Maui fun.

We celebrated tonight with 6 PM reservations at Japengo at the Hyatt Regency—an exotic, open-air Asian-fusion restaurant filled with tropical décor and even a playful red Pinocchio mask at the reception desk.

We enjoyed cocktails , pork belly buns , and calamari .

Kyle, Michelle, Jason & Cecile shared a beautiful sushi platter , and I had the Shaking Beef noodles.

Michelle opened her gifts, Lyla proudly wore hers, and Uncle Jason surprised Lyla with another present back at the hotel before dinnerl.

Our waiter finished the night with two complimentary birthday desserts for us to share.

A perfect double celebration for two very special girls.