Yes, I did a little post-ette here, which served to make my first commenter wail, "That's all!? Please more!"
But I've been so busy since coming back that I haven't taken the time to really process the experience.
I am an introvert, so I find cruise ships rather horrifying. They are, as I often say, a cross between Wal-Mart and Six Flags over Texas: a combination of noise and color and movement and more noise and shrieking and music and visual stimulation...it takes some serious work to condition myself not to be affected badly by all this.
And, being in a group of 38 strong, intelligent, positive women - who are often trying to be heard OVER all the sound and fury described above - can also be overwhelming. Trying to get a photo of all of their feet at the same time...is a lot like playing Twister!
I found that knitting was a very important part of my keeping quiet in my head. Also, naps and walks.
It was glorious to roomwith Elastigirl again and to know that the setting of the date for her diaconal ordination was right around the corner (May 25, in case you didn't hear yet!) I met friends I have "known" for years but had never laid eyes on yet. I re-met a woman who was a child in my College Station church when I went there, and now is a new Episcopal priest!
The sessions were amazing...so much energy and excitement, so many opportunities for sharing and supporting women in minstry that had not occurred to us yet.
The fun was outstanding.
And the times for just sitting together, sharing stories...were the best of all. Whether they elicited laughter or tears (or both), the sacred moments grew the community. Over a meal, on a ferryboat, on the aft deck, in Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville (!) we were together.
Our closing Eucharist, which was held at 10:30 pm in a room backing up to a disco (a LOUD disco) was truly gorgeous. The Holy Spirit was among us as we shared and sang together (the a cappella singing against the disco was a miracle!) and broke the bread of Jesus.
As some of our number have written, it was transfigurative...ideal as Transfiguration Sunday awaited us after return.
