Recently, Peter and I attended an event during which we were able to meet someone that I have admired for many, many years. I couldn’t believe how nervous I was to meet this person. My heart pounded and I was short of breath. I felt tongue-tied and I hoped my hands were not clammy or sweaty or dry.  Peter had to propel me forward (with a little poke in the back and a "Go on, Court!") because when I had the opportunity to meet this person, I was frozen.

It is always strange to meet famous people (in my limited experience) and this experience was no different. All of the little normal things about people seem to glare and suddenly they are no longer that image on a pedestal.

Their eyes were smaller in person, their hand very soft. They were impeccably groomed with no stray hairs or wrinkles or lint. Their watch was like new, understated but clearly worth a small fortune. Their other jewelry was polished and sparkling like it was new when I know that it is not. I could go on and on about all of the minute details that were imprinted in my mind. The cadence of their speech and so forth.

I still admire this person greatly and it was a big thrill to meet them. In fact I think due to the personal meeting, I will look at them differently and I hope more realistically but it was still a heart-pounding thrill to meet them. If I had the opportunity to meet them again I would definitely want to, and I think my heart would still pound. Sometimes it is fun to feel like an Ursuline schoolgirl again.