It was wonderful. It was such great fun to get to see some old friends and meet some new ones. I, of course, took almost no photos. I have a mental block about taking pictures. I would so much rather be talking to people. However at the very end I managed to dig my camera out of the bag and snap a few.
Alice, Meredith, and Margot did a brilliant job as speakers. I was a speaker as well but there were some tough acts to follow and precede. I’m not so sure I measured up.
There was a lot a fun to be had all weekend. The conference unofficially began on Friday with an informal pot luck picnic. My children had to be dragged from the park at the end they were having such fun with all of the other kids. We also had the great good fortune to be staying at the same hotel as the Edmisten’s and the Cottage crowd as well as the two fun families we enticed from home to vacation with us. It was pretty much kid heaven and all the dads had an easier time of it Saturday while all the moms soaked up the wisdom and support at the conference.
My buddy Michele is to be congratulated on doing such a beautiful job. the venue was perfect. It was a real conference center, not a school, so it was beautifully decorated, air conditioned (a little too much) and wired for sound. It was all very prfessional. There was a nursing baby room and even a quiet room with small cots set up if a toddler needed to nap. Michele thought of everything. The tables looked summery and pretty with floral baskets filled with colorful bouquets and the food was simple and scrumptious. Sally and Yvette should set up shop as caterers, they made it all seem so effortless.
If you were unable to attend but would like to hear the talks then please go over to Family-Centered Press and order the CD’s. They are already made up and available. Michele’s son Kyle recorded the talks for her and, believe it or not, was actually able to make them available at the conference about 15 minutes after the speaker finished. How he did this I have no idea. They are a very efficient family.
Thanks again to everyone who had a kind word to say to me and who encouraged me in my speaking, writing and blogging. Your thoughtful words and assurance of prayers mean the world to me and I promise to keep you all in my prayers.
Have a blessed day.
Mary Ellen, thank you again for your beautiful talk. It brought tears to my eyes. What a beautiful example of trust and hope. It was wonderful to see you again.
Meeting you was one of the highlights of my trip, Mary Ellen! You and the rest of those rowdy Long Islanders. 😉
You never have any trouble more than measuring up! You were brilliant and funny as always! Truly great.
It was a pleasure to meet you and you look even more beautiful in person than in your photo! I really enjoyed your inspirational talk as so much of what you said is close to my heart, and I’m sure it was an encouraging peek for those without special needs children or just starting out on the journey. Thanks for all the help you provided in organizing the conference as well. Such a great weekend!
Mary Ellen, I was so happy to meet you IRL this weekend and really wish we had been able to sit and talk for a while. It all just passed so quickly. I LOVED your talk…I laughed, I cried, you moved me. I could relate to so much of what you said and was oh so very inspired by your deep love for your son. Thank you so much for sharing your heart and your humor and for working so hard behind the scenes with Michele to make this conference such a huge success. You are beautiful!
Mary Ellen,
It was great to meet you, I wish we chatted more. Your talk was really, really good. You were so real and so funny, you had me laughing. It was great to have some Long Island girls there.
peace,
amy
Mary Ellen, it was great to meet you at the conference. You did a wonderful job speaking; very touching, funny, heartfelt, and informative. Thank you!
You were wonderful, Mary Ellen! Your talk moved me to tears and I do not even have a special needs child. It was a pleasure to meet you (briefly). Thank you for everything you did to make this conference such a huge success. We have some of Fr. Stan’s music and now whenever we listen to him I will think of your beautiful son. God bless!
You were awesome sweetie! It was so great to see you again and I’m so thrilled to meet the newest Barrett some time next year 😉 Love and hugs,