I will confess that I have a regret of sorts about the Bad Example Family (& Friends) Reunion. On Saturday - the BIG day, when everyone was over - I spent most of my time hanging with Frank J., because I knew I was the only person there that he knew to any real degree, and probably the only reason he agreed to come (except, of course, for the fact that SarahK dragged him kicking & screaming).

Because of that, I missed out on a good chance for quality time with bloggranddaughter Lee Ann of Lee Ann's View, and didn't get to know her NEARLY as well as I wanted to, or nearly as well as I will when the opportunity next presents itself.

The first thing I noticed about her was her smile. When she came through the door, there was no nervousness, no hesitancy, just confidence and a radiant warmth about her.

The second thing... well, I'll just quote from her Reunion review:

I walk around a corner and get a great big hug from this sweet man. As I'm being held, I ask, "I'm sorry...who are you?" My response is, "I'm your blog-grandfather!" Bigger hugs are exchanged, "Oh wow! Oh it's so good to meet you! 'Nother hug!"

Now what does it say about a woman who'll hug a total stranger just because he's probably a nice guy?

I think it says a lot.

Now, since Lee Ann only posts occasionally, not all of her natural warm & affectionate nature comes through. The difference between reading her and actually MEETING her is the difference between looking at a square of sunlight coming through a window onto your floor, and being out in the middle of a newly mown field on a summer afternoon to bask in the daystar's radiance.

I'd never seen her. Never even talked to her on the phone. She made me feel as comfortable as if I'd lived with her every day for all of my 38 years.

She's that open. She's that welcoming. She's that wonderful.

And I can't wait to see her again.

Even if that little finger-wiggling story scarred me for life ;-)

Posted by: Harvey at 09:53 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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