by Nancy Linenkugel
Contributor
One of the wonderful things about the holidays is spending time with family. My parents simply expected that we would all make time to be together for Christmas, and so we continue that. Even though mom and dad are both in heaven, family connectedness remains a priority.
One brother is a well-known amateur musician in Toledo, Ohio, and has played with any number of bands — rock, folk, country, or a mixture. He has a weekly gig at a local restaurant/bar, and we siblings with spouses took an opportunity to see him in action. The restaurant fare is only pizza, the libations are of a broad variety, the live music was exciting and, well, loud, and we all had a great evening together.
One of the key employees of the establishment looked to me like one of the Smith Brothers on the cough drop package only with a graying, more scraggly beard. I had arrived early to claim a restaurant table so I got to meet him first. I said that I was Wes' sister. "Condolences," he wryly responded. "Sorry — Wes is a great guy and a wonderful musician. We're so glad to have him playing for us weekly."
It turns out that Tom went to Catholic school so we compared notes about that. He had Ursuline sisters in grade school and Jesuits in high school, and said, "They were all great. I needed their guidance. I'm forever grateful. Are you a nun?"
"Yes, and I'm a Franciscan," I replied. "Oh right, you're interested in ecology and the environment. We recycle beer bottles and paper trash. Does that meet muster?"
I replied, "Yes, Tom, that's a great start."
We chat for a few more minutes before he headed off to behind-the-bar duties. "Gee, I'm at a loss for words. Can I offer you a drink? I never said that to a nun before." I held up my glass of water and said, "I'm taken care of for now, but thanks so much. It's been a pleasure talking with you."
I was thinking that I'm really glad I spoke with Tom. From his appearance one might think he wasn't very educated, but how wrong that would have been.
[Sr. Nancy Linenkugel is a Sylvania Franciscan sister and chair of the department of Health Services Administration at Xavier University, Cincinnati Ohio.]