What a great afternoon! Bobby Davis, Patty Culligan and myself watched the tiny snowflakes fall in such a beautiful setting at St. Elizabeth College while we visited with Sr. Rita Damien. We shared many wonderful memories over a lovely lunch. Sr. Rita looks, sounds and has the same mannerisums she had when she taught my eight grade class so many years ago. Her beautiful blue eyes sparkle even more than they did back then. I hope this was just one of many enjoyable visits. Linda

I wish I had known about this visit; I would have liked to see her.

It would have been so nice to see her again. I would have loved to go with you guys. Maybe next time.

Sister Rita was probably one of the best teachers I had. During lunch we would watch a game show on tv and she would be playing along with us. She never seemed grumpy. Does anyone have an address where we might be able to mail her a note?

John and Susan, There were three of us the other day at Convent Station visiting Sr. Rita. More than three at a time might be a little overwhelming for her at this time. Although she is doing well, she is still not 100%.
Pat, The address is;
Sr. Rita Damien Hart S.C.
Convent of St. Elizabeth
P.O. Box 476
Convent Station, N.J. 07961
I'm sure Sr. Rita would be happy to hear from her old students. If you want to visit her or take her out to lunch or dinner I would suggest calling in advance.
Bob

For the past few days, every time I've checked into Bodholts and have seen the title ("Her eyes are still as blue...")of this posting it has triggered a memory, not of Sr. Rita Damien (who was after my time) but of the poem, "The Blue Valentine" from one of our Seton Poems books. The poem was, I think, by Hillaire Belloc and contained the lines, "her eyes are so blue, they make lovely little blue reflections on everything she looks at, such as the moon, or the wall, or my heart..." I may not have the words quite right, but I remember the poem well. it was addressed to Bishop Valentinus, and was a poem about Mary. Did the nuns still use the Seton Poem books in later years? What other poems do folks remember from their grammar school days?

Correction! I just googled The Blue Valentine and found that it was New Jersey's own Joyce Kilmer, not Belloc who wrote it. Belloc wrote another of my faves, a poem about a boy named Jim who got devoured by a lion for not listening to his nanny. I think it might cause a bit of a commotion if it were required today!

Just to add my own impression about our luncheon and to agree with Linda and Bob, it really was a lovely experience. Sr. Rita's guidance and great understanding of all her pupils should be acknowledged and praised even after all these years. Who knows what's around the corner for any of us, so every day let someone know how much you appreciate them, that you love them, and you will be blessed.

I couldn't agree with you more Pat. It is so true.