quaker house
today we visited the quaker meeting house in Houston. it was a beautiful space james turrell (sp?) designed for the quakers in Houston. (i thought the quakers all died after the mayflower) well as we were sitting there some of the quakers came in. there was this middle aged couple with an elderly woman i suspected to be one of their mothers, but as i sat there and took in the view, i realized how beautiful she was. not in a creepy way, but like a joyful natural grandmotherly way. she had this amazing expression on her face that was a smile with her face towards the ceiling oculus with her eyes closed and an incredible peace that radiated from her. even as the rain clouds rolled in and they had to roll the roof over the gap, she kept that same expression like it was a gift that she was able to be there. she almost looked like a child when they play in the rain and throw their heads back to feel the rain on their faces. a peaceful joy, I'd call it i guess. it was all of that in one expression. all the evidence of the years and experiences shes been through just shined from her, she was so at peace with the world. she looked like she was smiling into the face of her husband that she has loved and is still in love with. i could almost see the joy and love she had for her family with her and even those not with her. i wish i could have taken her picture or hugged her or something but when i looked back over she was gone. but her face will stay in my memory. that absolute happiness that only comes from loving someone with every fiber of your being and being loved and to truly know what it feels like, something i have cried and worked and dreamed and wished for my whole life, she had it. i know that feeling, thankfully i have that love and i cant wait to be just like her.