The ride home from the Convent

I know many are wondering how emotional the ride home was for Gachia, Caitlin and Ray after leaving Anna at the Convent.  In a previous post, I documented our family’s penchant for crying. When we left Anna at St. Mary’s for the start of her freshman year, Gachia and Anna sobbed their goodbyes on a bench at St. Mary’s.  Gachia (and I) cried some more on the way home.  The next year when we left Caitlin at the Purdue dorm, those same emotions came back. However, bear with me while I digress before talking about the ride home and the next day.

“Get Smart” was one of my favorite television shows while I was in high school.  Maybe there just wasn’t much competition (anyone remember the “Monkees”?).  Even Anna and Caitlin got into Get Smart reruns one year.  Deep down I still long for one of Maxwell Smart’s (Agent 86) shoe phones!  But when Maxwell Smart would get into an impossible predicament with Control agents, he would often start his “Would you believe….” monologue.  For example “would you believe this building is surrounded by three platoons of my countries most elite fighting units”?  The Control agents would roll their eyes in disbelief and Maxwell would give a slightly less outlandish “would you believe”.  Eventually Maxwell Smart or Agent 99 would save the day (but Maxwell would get the credit either way).

So, would you believe we cried 1) most of the way home, 2) one-half of the way home, 3) one fourth of the way home, or 4) only a few tears were shed.  BINGO!  Shockingly it was number 4!

Why the change?  First, Anna was smiling when we left the convent (although we don’t know how long that smile stayed).  We know that is where she needs and wants to be; to continue to discern religious life with the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration. Second, we stopped and visited more with my sister Judy and husband Larry and brother Dennis and wife Kim.  We were able to relax, share stories, and bemoan the fact Bruno’s Pizza was out of almost every brand of beer requested.  Something about a football game the day before.  Those Temple fans must have been big drinkers (certainly couldn’t be the “Domers”)!  At least all agreed the pizza was good. Lastly, we knew she is in good hands with Sr. Lois and the rest of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration.  There is plenty of emotional support available plus the Postulants will be quickly integrated into community.

We received the first letters from Anna once we got back from the reunion with Gachia's family. I’ll provide highlights in the next blog.