Patricia Taylor Buckley, the beloved wife of conservative godfather William F Buckley and mother of novelist Christopher Buckley (Thank You For Smoking), has passed away this weekend. National Review's The Corner has a number of touching tributes in remembrance. Bob Leibowitz, who knew Mrs. Buckley for many years, writes his personal recollections of the "den mother of the conservative movement". Our prayers go to the two Mr. Buckleys and all of their family and friends.
While you say your prayers for the Buckleys, spare a few for The Anchoress as well. My friend is struggling with a chronic illness that has incapacitated her to varying degrees, and right now she is too ill to write. I know she'll deny this, but she's one of the gentlest souls in the blogosphere. When politics got too nasty for her, she consoled herself and all of the rest of us with beautiful Catholic apologetics and essays. She's too much of a treasure for us to wait long for her next blogpost, so let's all pray that she heals quickly and feels strong enough to tackle life -- and treat us to another excellent essay. Leave her a message at her blog and let her know she's in your thoughts and prayers.