I'm sorry to start out with a comment on the weather because I've heard it's a sign of a poor conversationalist, but I promise there's a punch line. So this morning was cloudy and overcast, as usual, when I opened the curtains of our little workroom. I turned on my computer, asked S. Anamaria how she had slept, and we both settled down to work. Then, some lovely rays of sunshine beamed down upon us, and I got up to stand by the window and soaked them in. Then, just as quickly as the sunshine had come, the rain came. I verbalized my despair, and dear S. Anamaria told me, very straightforwardly, "Megan, this is Washington." I guess I still have things to learn...or at least acknowledge. Denial doesn't work on rain.
The most wonderful thing that happened since I last posted is that I had visitors!!! My Sinner grandparents and my aunt and uncle who live out here in Washington came to the Priory on Saturday. We had lunch here with the sisters (who were extraordinarily welcoming and thrilled to meet my family), and then we spent the afternoon driving around the beautiful country. Amazingly, there was not a cloud in the sky the entire day! I was in total heaven. The leaves are beginning to turn colors, and we got to see Mount Rainier several times - the first time I've seen "the mountain" since the day I arrived. We drove along the Sound and just enjoyed each others' company. Then we had dinner at an Italian restaurant just down the street, and we all enjoyed the quality food and the gelato. It was so fascinating to connect my "old" life of the people who have known me forever with my new life here with the sisters. S. Redempta had never seen anyone speak in sign language before, and she was absolutely taken with my aunt Julie, who is deaf. I loved watching the two of them together because the language of respect and love doesn't need words. They are both such special, wonderful women, and I am so blessed to have them in my life! It was also really fun to see my genetic habits and features again - our regular eating habits, little mannerisms of speech my dad and grandpa share, my grandma not drinking much liquid like my sister Alyssa - the little things that make a family a family. I was soooo glad they could come, not only because I got to see them, but also because they got to meet the community I live with here and see what my life is like for this year. Thanks, Grandma & Grandpa and Julie & Malcolm!
The other big excitement of the weekend was a party last night! S. Monika and her blood sister Katie, S. Laura, and I are all going to see an Irish musical group, Lunasa, on Wednesday night, so we had a party to get everyone familiar with their music. It was also kind of a variety show - S. Sharon had a name-that-tune game, S. Monika and Katie played their recorders and tin whistles (and I accompanied on the guitar), I played a piano song, and we all learned the electric slide! Everyone enjoyed the evening, and we had some Guinness and Bailey's to really get us in the mood. Needless to say, S. Redempta and I were a little tired when we went to Compline (the last prayer hour of the day) at St. Martin's afterwards. The student choir sang for the service and it was so fun to hear 4-part mixed harmony. I do like our unison here at the Priory because it brings us together in one voice, but there's just something about a choir that fills the whole room.
And a little detail I've been meaning to mention (and I forgot in my last post about atmosphere) is about our dishes. I think the Priory has every pattern Corelle ever made! These dishes are so familiar to me from my Grandma's kitchen in St. Cloud, and even from home when I was little. It's such a small thing, but I feel like I connect to the essence of my past when I eat off these dishes. And my very favorite pattern has three purple irises right down the middle and a green stripe around the rim. The irises remind me of Jane, my writing center director, and they are just so pretty. I eat my toast off them every morning.
Ok, and finally, my lesson. This weekend, I learned that sharing is the most important thing I can do. It started with fingernail polish - it was time to repaint my toenails (the bright summer pink was starting to clash with the fall leaves), and none of my sisters or friends were around to share in this little ritual. I just couldn't bear to do it alone - it's such a communal, feminine activity! So I asked S. Redempta if she'd like to paint her nails with me (and you absolutely cannot tell the Prioress in Tanzania about this!), and she came to my room and we painted our nails together. We laughed and admired the colors and just shared our time, and I feel like now we're really friends. Another facet of the lesson of sharing occurred after my family left on Saturday night. I was just glowing with being loved, and S. Sharon noticed (of course) and told me I have a beautiful family. I said, "I know, they love me no matter what." And she said, "Share it." That has really stuck with me - I know how it feels to be loved unconditionally; I have the most wonderful family and friends who will love me no matter what. And because I have that, I can share it with other people - just like the sisters here do. By sharing, I can make a difference in other people's lives like those who have shared with me have made a difference in mine. I am so thankful, both to be here and to have the support of you, my dear readers.
Peace and love!
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