Last Monday, Michael and I went to hear a special speaker at a parish near our house: Christopher West!
The exclamation point is there because I was so excited to hear him in person for the first time.:) Suffice to say, the Theology of the Body and Christopher West’s work in sharing it have deeply touched my life and my marriage. If I tried to explain what Christopher West’s books and CDs have done for my relationship with Michael (we read/listened to them when we first started dating), I would completely go off the deep end with wild rambling.
Christopher West’s work brings “down-to-earth” the Theology of the Body, which are a group of writings of John Paul II that were revolutionary in explaining the framework of the Church’s teachings on sex and marriage. I don’t care if you are dating, engaged, or have been married for 30 years–this stuff is that important and it’s that powerful.
Anyway, back to my story. We got to go and hear Christopher West speak to a crowd of about 700, and it was an incredible talk! I was so moved after the talk that all I could do was just smile and smile.
Michael and I had arrived a little late, and so we were sitting in the back. Consequently, we were one of the first people in line to get our books autographed. We were the eighth and ninth people in line, and as we shuffled forward and I saw Christopher West up close, my mind sort of started going haywire. It was suddenly all I could do to not burst into tears with all of the gratitude and excitement and vague emotions of I’d-need-hours-to-explain-to-you-how-much-this-stuff-has-impacted-me.
By the time Michael and I got up to the table, my lower lip was quivering and my nose was flaring like crazy. I’m completely sure I gave him the clammiest handshake ever recorded, and I think I choked out something to the effect of, “Thank you…you have no idea.” My husband was surely embarrassed by me but said something perfect to Christopher, I’m sure. (I couldn’t hear him above the ringing in my ears.)
Here’s the best part: I think Christopher West saw that I was, um, emotional, and he actually got up out of his chair to give us each another big, two-handed handshake.
So this is how I act when I meet a famous-ish person. Eek.
I am the Co-Chair for the Sanctity of Life Committee at my parish and we are going to do Introduction to Theology of the Body in January and February. I am super excited. My husband and I saw Bill Donaghy from TOB Institute speak in Asheville, NC while we were still engaged. It is a truly amazing message that God has shared with us through Blessed Pope John Paul II.
How neat! I haven't heard Bill Donaghy, but I know he is supposed to be a great speaker on TOB as well! I'm so thankful to have heard this stuff before getting married. It really put Mike and I on the same with some really important, foundational things in our marriage. And it gave us a lot of peace! That is great that you are on that committee at your church and are bringing TOB to the parish–thanks for your "yes" there. I know you will touch some lives. 🙂