A Very Special Visit
On November 3rd the monks were paid a special visit by Michele and Ora.
Michele had asked Ora if there was anything she wanted to do for an adventure.
Her choice was to visit New Skete and hopefully meet some of our Shepherds. Br
regory usually greets visitors, answers any questions, and shows them around
with Quilla in tow. He had a doctor’s appointment that day, though, and asked
me if I could fill in. Naturally, I don’t have the depth and breadth of
monastic experience that Br Gregory has, nor do I know New Skete’s history as
he does, but fortunately their main interest was in meeting our dogs and
hearing about them—my one and only strong point.
First, I brought out Quilla, since she’s such a gentle and quiet dog. I
knew that would go well, but next I wanted to bring out my dynamic duo, and I
was afraid Greta would be her overzealous, jumpy, puppy self, while Habibah
would see people she didn’t know, become standoffish, and start barking in
protest. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Neither of them made a peep, and they
were the most polite and proper young dogs you’d ever want to see. I should
have been very proud, except the little voice in my head kept saying “Are you
kidding me? Why don’t you two show your real selves and act the way you
did last night?” But they were showing their real selves. They were
caught up in the love that Ora and Michele radiated, and reciprocating with
their own. It was a very beautiful moment on a pristine autumn day. What made
it even better was Br Luke walking by, first with his puppy Tori, and then a
little later on with Iris and Fuller. I consider myself blessed to have been a
part of their visit, and I’d be happy to see them return in the
spring—especially if we have a litter or two that are old enough to meet
people.
Later that evening I mentioned their
visit to Br Marc, who suggested I write a few words for the newsletter. I
contacted Michele to see if she could send some of the pictures she took, and
she replied with the following note:
Ora grew up in the poor side of
Greenwich, Connecticut. After graduating in 1946, she wanted to be a
veterinarian but could not afford college. She then became a children’s librarian.
After marrying her husband, Bob, she worked in advertising. After 42 years Ora
and her husband settled in Ballston Spa in 1995. Bob and Ora always wanted to
visit New Skete and see the dogs. Unfortunately, they never made the visit. Bob
died in 2000, and Ora remained in Ballston Spa. After Bob’s death, Ora and her
neighbor across the street “adopted” each other, watching out for each other
and becoming not only good friends but family as well. Ora loves animals of all
kinds and will stop to visit any animal that crosses her path. Ora thoroughly
enjoyed her visit to New Skete, appreciative of [the monks’] kindness and
patience with all her questions. She couldn’t decide which dog to take home and
didn’t think she could sneak one out. She had eyes on the 3-month old puppy.
Ora currently resides in Ballston Spa with her two cats, Milo and Benji.
 |
| Ora as a child. |
Comments