They left on Monday morning, the two fearless women from the Golden Dome. Two mamas and a baby. Little Lucia, to be precise, is not just any baby. She is the most precious 14-week old Italian daughter of light that you ever did see. And, she speaks much more articulately than “gug gug”.

I was terribly impressed by D and Q’s resourcefulness during the visit. When I had a lobbying “emergency” on Friday afternoon, they and Lucia came down to the Capitol with me, then caught the free ‘Dillo shuttle to Guadalupe St., where they wandered the shops and ended up at Kerby Lane Cafe–an Austin original. Undaunted by this adventure, they wandered into a nearby shop after lunch to look for new shiny nose rings. Oh yes.

You see, Danielle and Quinn and I used to ALL have nose rings during our days at Notre Dame. Danielle and I got our noses pierced while we were Boheme students studying abroad in India, and Quinn, being equally Boheme, had hers pierced soon after. My nose ring came out years ago, at the protests of my mother and my own sore nose, but Danielle and Quinn perservere.

I was, also, really blessed by our mini-pilgrimage to the Mission of Divine Mercy. Our friends, the Lemmons, have invited us to come to the Mission for some time, but we never knew what we were missing and preferred to get a little more sleep on Saturday mornings. But, now, we know. We want to return often, as we’re able. It was a delight to visit with the gentle and prayerful Brother Moses (Quinn’s brother-in-law). Please pray for him, as he receives the Sacrament of Holy Orders into the transitional diaconate TODAY! Quinn, Devin and I would certainly love to come to San Antonio for his ordination in December.

Thank you both so much for your generosity in coming. You braved Chicago O-Hare Airport with a baby and willing spent Mother’s Day away from your homes. Your visit was a blessing! I’m glad you were able to meet my St. Joseph and see our little world and “meet” our little Rose-bud. YKC!