Well, we're back.

I didn't want to publish to the world that we were going to be gone for three weeks, you know, just for security reasons, but we were--we were gone for three weeks visiting my husband's family in Belgium and France. What an historic time to be in Europe, with the passing of the pope and Prince Rainier! Our time was spent with family, visiting a few interesting sites, and eating delicious Belgian and French cuisine.

I'm not sure if I can figure out how to include a photo, but I'll try.

Those who have followed my blogs for a while may find the following story particularly interesting.

On the longest flight, the seven-hour flight, we were pretty focused on keeping our kids entertained and content. In other words, my goal wasn't to get to know my neighbors in the seats around me. We were in fact exhausted because we had to get up at 5:00 a.m. to get to the airport on time, so even the trips to the lavatory, when I might otherwise look at the faces of fellow travelers, were pretty focused. I kept my head down and went straight back to my seat. I didn't study the people as I came and went. Our children did quite well the entire time, reading, relaxing, watching a movie. They were quiet and no trouble at all (except for a brief disagreement with the preschoooler).

On the descent, one of our kids was airsick, and we had to spend the taxi time mopping up with wet wipes and napkins. The people around us, whom I had previously ignored, were very kind, handing us anything with absorptive properties. The wait was long between the time we landed and the moment they opened the doors, so we were wiping and cleaning, and people started to lean over and interact with each other. Several people commented on how well our kids traveled. One lady leaned over the seats more than she had before, so I finally looked up and made eye contact. It was Phyllis Tickle! I had been riding ONE ROW in front of Phyllis Tickle for a seven-hour plane flight and didn't even notice! This is a writer I went out of my way to see at a writer's colloquium last year. At that event, she signed some books for me and we joked about being contemplative moms. I even have an embarrassing moment/misunderstanding joke that I tell my friends about meeting Phyllis Tickle that weekend that has to do with the praying of the hours and watch alarms.

Can you imagine my surprise? I exclaimed, "Aren't you Phyllis Tickle?!"

"Why yes, I am. I was thinking you looked a little familiar. How do I know you?"

I explained about the writer's colloquium and she seemed to remember me, especially when I mentioned the contemplative mom connection. She asked where I'd been, so I said my husband grew up in Belgium so were back visiting his parents and sisters and brother. I asked where she had been and she said she was in of all places, Rome, for a conference. Philippe looked up from wiping up vomit, said hello when I introduced them, and that was it. They opened the doors and she left.

I would be a terrible spy.