On this day, thirty-five years ago

I became a member of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul.  In our parlance, I was incorporated into the Community - my vocation day.  Here's how I looked then, at age 30:

 No grey hair, and fifty pounds thinner.  Unbelievable.  That background, the tomb of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton,located in the Basilica,  looks unchanged today.

Those almost two years as a novice -- in our parlance, "Seminary Sister" --- were tough ones for me.
But they helped me grow painfully in self knowledge and in community living skills, and in my relationship with God.

I am very glad it is now and not then, though.