The Moore House
The city of Richmond, Texas lies just outside of the larger more metropolitan Sugar Land (to the North) and Rosenberg (to the South). If you ask someone who’s lived their whole life in Richmond what the population is (as I have now on at least a half a dozen occasions) – you’ll get a variety of answers. Some will say that there are about 5000 residents, others will say it’s closer to 2000. The truth is that nearly 12,000 people call Richmond home.
Hilmar Moore was born in 1920 and has been the Mayor of Richmond since 1949. If you do the math, you’ll realize that makes him 89 years old. According to BBC News the Honorable Mr. Moore is “probably the longest serving elected official in the US”. What a remarkable accomplishment. Hilmar Moore is someone I’d like to meet.
One of the themes of my trip is Serendipity. Happenstance. That magical moment when you seem to be standing in the right place at exactly the right moment – and something fortunate happens as if by accident. Squire Rushnell calls them “God Winks” – a sign that you’re on the right path in life. Well tonight – I received a God Wink.
Kathy has been a local caterer and wedding planner in Richmond since 1970. Strong, no-nonsense, kind, thoughtful, and charmingly Southern, she’s a cross between Paula Dean, Katherine Hepburn, and Martha Stewart. She holds two Masters Degrees. One in Administration and one in Education and plays the Organ at St. John’s United Church of Christ every Sunday. Kathy is the wedding planner you hire when you want someone who cares as much about your perfect day as you do. She still cries at every wedding.
Tonight I was telling her about Twilight & Tea, and how I had been reading about the History of Richmond – and how much I’d like to meet Hilmar Moore. “You mean Hilmar?” (Only she pronounced it more like Hilmer). “I’m friends with his wife.” No wonder local residents believe the population of Richmond couldn’t be more than 5000.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned in the last 4 days – is that if you look for interesting people – you’re sure to find them. And it’s often the interesting people who we find in unexpected places who hold the key to our next adventure. But you’ll never know unless you ask.
I am certain I am on the right path in my life right now – and I’ll be keeping my eye out for more God Winks along the way.