Naturally, given the great gravity of the situation of this week, I seem to have given less than what I would like to the meeting in Dallas.
What was most interesting about the entire group is that we were all converts of one sort or another. Each of us came by a slightly different road to the truth that is the Catholic Church. I'm amazed at how many of the Catholic Bloggers ARE converts--including at least one of the most prominent.
So, to share a bit more. Julie really is a Happy Catholic. Sprightly, vivacious, slightly elfin or pixie-like, she has a vast array of interests and shared a tremendous amount. We had a few minutes together before the Summas arrived and we moved right into our conversation. She's every bit as interesting as you might suppose if you read her blog very often.
Smockmama came closest to being what I had imagined, but still, the imagination pales next to the reality. Another strong, vivacious, and warm person. She was bright, funny, fun, interesting, and entertaining. (Well, that goes for everyone.) What is really fun now is reading Summamamas and being able to see both Smock and MamaT. I can actually hear them speaking in what they write--it's FANTASTIC. Oh, and she has such gorgeous children--absolutely beautiful. And she's well suited to the role of mother. I can't be envious, but she is truly fortunate in both number and beauty of little ones.
Then there's MamaT. What can I say? Beautiful, warm, intelligent, kind, unfailingly nurturing and sharing, she again was everything I thought and more. She shared her family pictures--and again beautiful! Also she reads so much and is so versed in so many things. I was in awe. What's more, she is so down home. One gets the feelilng that you could stop by any time and never find her unwilling to sit down to a glass of tea and talk.
Another point is the unfailing humility and graciousness of all three ladies. They thought so little of what they bring to us all.
Three such beautiful and kind people, one could not hope to meet in a lifetime, and yet, I've done so time and again as I meet bloggers from all over. I will long remember my lunch with these three marvelous ladies and I wish it could have been longer.
Overall, I'd say the Dallas-Ft. Worth area is indeed fortunate to have such warm, open, intelligent, lively Catholics representing it.
Once again, my thanks to everyone who took the time to come out and see me. I hope that as I continue to journey through the country I might one day get to meet with all of you. St. Blogs is simply the Best!
Sprightly, vivacious, slightly elfin or pixie-like...
*blush* There is no graceful way to respond to this except to say, "Thank you."
"she is truly fortunate in both number and beauty of little ones."
i'll second that. by the way, you, sir, are a true gentleman. are you sure you aren't TEXAN?
i, too, am struck by the number of converts at St. Blogs. and, yes, mamaT has an open door policy. she is the embodiment of southern hospitality.
thank you for ... well, everything!
You are far too kind, Steven. You have made me blush, sitting here all alone.
It was MY pleasure to meet YOU, for I have long been an admirer. And it is wonderful to have your face in my head when I read your blog.
ya know, some day we should have a confab of Texas bloggers. (I was gonna say Texas Catholic bloggers, but only Bronson Havard would show up...)
Eeeeek! Please not Bronson Havard ...
Actually Mike, I have been proposing just such a thing and was waiting until after the funeral to try an "announcement" to see what dates would work for people...at least for bloggers in North Texas.