love letter to Alison

I barely know Alison, yet am head over heels in love her.  Well, in love with her incredible spirit. 

What is it about her inner wow that leaves me so googly?  Haven't the slightest.

She was one of the little kids who lived across from the Post Office, then a much younger young adult, then she got married & moved to Canada.  K

Knew of her enough to know her full married name, but that was it.

Then, my mother got involved in an e-mail discussion group that supported women in our (then & now) men-only priesthood.

Alison got on my radar because she got on Mom's, because Mom participated by her dictating & yours truly transcribing.

Mom was so proud of women like Alison & Janie, Julie & Ros & others - women who felt a call & moved around & over & under & PAST the apparent obstacles that seemed to block their way.

Alison lives in NYC, recently re-expatriated from the frigid North.  She is job hunting & wedding planning, family loving & friend supporting.  Maybe what connects so strongly with me is my sense she has stars within her & such glories ahead of her.

She recently wrote on her Facebook page, "I just walked past Maggie Gyllenhaal," to which a friend commented, "Maggie Gyllenhaal just walked past Alison Longstaff." 

Amen & hallelujah!