The Seamstress and the Sexagenarian

Something unexpected happened in Houston last week. Things started out normally enough with Michelle accompanying me to the race. However, we had to split up early as this marathon asks the runners to stage in an area where supporters cannot join. In Baltimore and Frederick we were allowed to stay together. Also, Houston is not an "Eastern" city to which we are accustomed. There were not shops and restaurants all around for Michelle to haunt while I was running. Add to that the 5:30 arrival time for a 7AM and she was quite on her own and without distraction for more than 5 hours.

Not a problem but, as it turns out, an opportunity. Michelle has always made acquaintances easily. She is forthright and honest and uninhibited in sharing her views. These qualities lend themselves to making friends easily with folks who share them and Michelle ran across just such a person in Mrs. Lippencott of the Houston Lippencotts. While I did not get the pleasure of meeting her on this trip it appears only a matter of time. Here is what happened...

After the race started it occurred to Michelle that she hadn't had a bite to eat since dinner the night before. This is my fault as the selfish competitor who does not eat before he runs and is not thoughtful enough to provide for those there to support him. After the hoopla of the national anthem, the start gun, and the confetti had already begun to fade to memory she wandered off in search of breakfast. It is worth noting that the Houston course is laid out such that if you don't know the town and the attendant road closures your hopes of seeing any more than the start and finish are dim at best. So what to do for the next few hours? Eat and make a new friend.

Michelle found her way to the restaurant at the Sheraton attached to the Houston convention center which lay at the start/finish of the course. Seated near to her in the dining room were a group of women in their 60's. And what do you think they were talking about?? Quilting. Now any of you lucky enough to know my wife know that she loves to quilt. Further, she is pretty good at it. If she had her way, her sewing room would get more time than her employment (working on that). So when she overheard this conversation, her Capricorn came out and she chimed in from her table. The next thing she knew she was engaged in a conversation about quilting shows, hometowns, and what it's like to live in Houston. My work is considering relocating me their sometime in the future and Michelle has been learning about all things Houstonian, especially neighborhoods.

This is how she came to know Mrs. Lippencott.

Now if you are familiar with the Houston marathon and the name of Lippencott rings a bell is should. As the senior member of the Houston Marathon Veterans Club Mr. Lippencott has competed in 36 of the 37 runnings of this storied event; more than any other listed participant. He is also the accountant for the Houston fire department. In deference to his wife and the Houston traffic they get a room at the Sheraton overlooking the start/finish line so the Mrs. has a place to relax while the Mr. tends to business. I can scarce figure the odds of my wife (at our first ever Houston marathon on her first ever trip to Houston) meeting the wife of the elder statesman of the entire event and hitting it off right out of the gate.

Their chat in the restaurant soon turned into an invite up to the room at the hotel to continue on about quilting and Houston while below in the streets of town the runners toiled oblivious. Michelle said she was having a great time but was ready to go, not wanting to overstay her welcome. But, no. Houston hospitality was not to be outdone by Eastern sensitivity to time and place. Mrs. Lippencott insisted she stay on a bit longer to meet the grandchildren, which she did.

By the time Michelle left addresses had been exchanged and promises made to keep in touch and to attend next November's quilt expo (one of the largest in the country) in Houston later this year. We came to understand that our realtor may not have been as candid with us as he could and that we should expect to hear from this Houstonian about a better option. Mrs. Lippencott was candid and funny, honest and open. Just like my wife. I suspect that she shares Michelle's knack for making friends easily and I hope to meet her myself on our next trip to town.

I don't know where Mr. Lippencott finished the race. For all I know we were right next to each other the entire way. I was inwardly focused trying to win a race with a clock. Maybe he was too. We should both count our blessings that our wives were not. They are the real winners of the Houston marathon this year.