I am still luxuriating in the political sea change in my state of Texas and across the United States. I know that there is still much to do in the coming weeks and months but for just one weekend I called on my finely honed optimism and simply enjoyed the glory of the moment. Somehow I felt the earth around me celebrating along with me.
On Friday I had the delight of visiting with a friend who had moved away over twenty four years ago. While we often spoke of getting together our plans were all too often overtaken by the vagaries of life. So the years went by while we were both lifeing. My friend, Serena, found love, married and had a beautiful daughter named Abby. I celebrated with her from afar because she and I shared a bond that could not be broken by time or distance. On Friday I sat across from her and her lovely daughter and we talked as though we had never been parted. My heart swelled with the joy that I felt in that all too brief reunion. Somehow I believe that it will not be our last time together.
On Saturday I did what I have done for years and years. I put clean sheets on my bed, dusted the furniture and vacuumed the carpet. Then I tackled the bathroom until it was sparkling. My work felt like a metaphor for the clean sweep of Democrats in my beloved state of Texas. Somehow the sunny day along with the victories of truly good people swept away the cobwebs that had grown in my mind.
Later in the afternoon I attended the Quinceañera of one of the students that I homeschooled in math after retiring from years of being an educator in Texas public schools. The honoree was all grown up and stunningly beautiful, no longer the little girl whom I once introduced to the foundations of mathematics. While honoring her I saw many of my former students and their parents. I felt great joy is seeing how well they were doing. I even learned that one of them is working toward becoming a math teacher in her own right. The gala seemed to be aligned with my feelings of joy.
Later that evening my husband and I drove the the University of Houston Clear Lake where we enjoyed the music of classical guitarist Laura Lootens from Germany. She is well known in the classical music world after winning first place in the Andres Segovia International Competition in 2022. For well over an hour she enchanted us with her remarkable talent. Somehow she and her guitar seemed to be aligned with the universe. Her proficiency was stunning and I found myself over and over again dreaming of how beautiful our world can be.
After the concert we travelled to a newly opened House of Pies, a local family owned restaurant group that became a Houston institution from the time that the first location opened in 1967 when my husband and I were still dating and dreaming of a life together. Somehow it felt right to be there on such a glorious weekend and we were not alone. The place was packed with people of every age enjoying a night out with family or friends. As I sat watching the crowd around me I felt as though there were enough stories to inspire my blogs for weeks. It felt good to be in the middle of so much happiness and the food was excellent as well with prices that did not break our pocketbook.
I write this on Sunday with plans to be a bit more leisurely on “the Lord’s Day.” I am having fun texting with my daughters and grandchildren. My granddaughter was overjoyed after watching the Rockefeller Christmas tree being installed in front of “Leaping Louie.” She spent much of the day seeing the sites of the New York City that his now her hometown of choice. She visited Macy’s where there was a huge section dedicated to the upcoming hundredth year celebration of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. She laughed about having the “gimmies” in the store and reported that she had to purchase a few items for herself and her mother who have watched the parade together for years.
We also heard from a grandson who graduated from Notre Dame last spring. He was at a football game and feeling so much pride and joy. He was excited that ESPN was there and that a young man won a million dollars by kicking a field goal. Even better was the fact that his team won the game which of course was following the theme of how I have felt since last Thursday.
My team, the University of Houston, won as well at their homecoming game. In fact all of the Texas teams for which I cheer did quite well this week save for Texas A&M, the alma mater of my father, a daughter and two of my grandchildren. That was the only blip on my week of success after success.
I just watched the cold opening of Saturday Night Live a few minutes ago and was delighted to see my new Senator, James Talarico. I think he is going to be a superstar. He is smart and kind and very much a fighter for ordinary people. Somehow I feel that my cup runneth over with a newfound hopefulness and joy. My state and my nation is filled with goodness that will surely repair the damage that hate has created.
