We are just back from an amazing trip to the beach, where we saw some beautiful sunsets. You might think I would have more time to write while on vacation, but every night we sort of forgot about putting our children to bed until it was so late that all I wanted to do was fall into bed myself.

How did a Baltimore boy get connected to Pope John Paul II, and how did he come to write “Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II,” published in the fall of 1999, and “The End and the Beginning: Pope John Paul II—The Victory of Freedom, the Last Years, the Legacy.” Listen to George Weigel talk about his new book, “Lessons in Hope: My Unexpected Life with St. John Paul II,” on “Catholic Baltimore.

Our older son decided to start calling us Mom and Dad. Part of me isn’t surprised. I knew this would probably come—at least for Mama to transition to Mom.

Some weeks are both long and short. This was one of those for me. Thank goodness it’s Friday. But I can’t believe it’s already time for quick takes!

It was such a simple act of kindness, just a small moment of thoughtfulness. But witnessing that spark of compassion in our child gave me such hope and joy.

Father Joseph Breighner shares some thoughts about two books that could be blockbusters.

Catholics worried about the rise of atheism can take a short-term and a long-term approach. Right now, we need to educate our children, evangelize and respond to attacks on the faith. As for the long term, Catholic couples, can you guess?

We clothe the skeleton of St. Ambrose in stately liturgical robes and we crown his skull with a bishop’s miter, not be macabre or “creepy,” but because we reverence his body as a place where Christ had come to dwell

It’s summertime, and Baltimore peach cake is a local tradition. There are many different versions, and I’m not sure how you can go wrong with any combination of peaches and cake.

Talking teleportation, steamed crabs, Pokemon cards, and other highlights from the week in this week’s 7 Quick Takes