Now that things are settled down some.....

…..I can replay a few events from before I left Orange Park. Wednesday night was Advent worship so Lynn and I arrived at church about 15 minutes early, although not as early as I normally would have been there. It’s always different when one has company, the changes in schedules or the lack thereof, in my case. Those who knew Lynn greeted her warmly and she distributed the hugs sent down by my mom to her lady friends at Good Shepherd. Gretchen is always so tickled to see Lynn, and Ethel as well since they got to know each other on the Alaska trip in 2007. A few of the attendees thought I was already gone to WI and gave me grief for thinking I’d left without good-byes! That’s what they get for not having Internet service and following the blog!!!
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The Pioneer group was just finishing their project and meeting when we got there so I got to see some of the folks there who don’t usually attend the Advent services. Earlier in the day Lynn and I had gone to Cracker Barrel where I had a plate-cleaner meal of meatloaf again. I told her I had a couple little fellas at church I’d like to get something for so after lunch we went in to the store of C.B. where I found some cute little stocking stuffer things for Colby and Caleb. I particularly am fond of Caleb because he reminds me a great deal of Timmy, but, he, of course, is charming without being a look-alike! A couple weeks ago he showed me a Webkins toy in the form of a cardinal which was much more attractive than the bat he showed me at Halloween! I wrapped up their little gifts and expected to simply put them in the mailbox for another time, but there they were, in person!
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I got to say special good-byes to the Pioneer peoples then, including Jennifer, who runs the show (sorry, Rick!). When it was time for church to begin we went in and got Lynn settled while I went in back to take attendance. Robbie and Brian were singing a duet, our opening gathering rite, and it was just beautiful. We had a good number of people at worship which brought me joy, all of us, joy.
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The biggest blessing was having my dear friend, Leanne, become a member of Good Shepherd. She had her friend from work and now church, Linda, stand beside her as well our other two new members, the Harris’s. Carolyn is an avid scrap booker so she’s welcome in that circle, too! All those folks plus Judy J. and me were at Leanne’s little birthday party last week at Cracker Barrel. As soon as they went up, my tears were flowing. Twice we went through Bible Information Class together, and we’ve spent countless hours discussing the Word, answering questions and such that she just didn’t comprehend, due to her previous religious background. And now, there she stood and made her public confirmation! After church Pastor said he looked back at me and then he got tears in his eyes also! He said, “You should have been standing up there, too, with Leanne,” but I assured him that would NOT have been a good thing, to have me blubbering all over the place. It will be such a privilege to be able to attend the Lord’s Supper with her after all this time where she abstained. Praise be to God!
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At the Fellowship portion of our evening, the hugs and farewells began in earnest. Lynn was greeted once more, had conversations with many people who knew Mom and/or Lynn while I hustled around. First, I had to hand over the giant box of battery-operated candles to Suzanne who needs them for the children’s worship service on CHRISTmas Eve. Then, Cliff chased me down with a ceramic tile and caulk samples of which I made quick work of choosing a color for our new classroom building. Earlier in the day I’d worked with Mike Kelley on the wall and trim colors, which I thought was already “cut” and dried decisions. In the hustle and bustle, Judy C. approached me about whether or not I’d still be supplying the flowers on Sundays when no one signs up, which has been my custom. I take the bouquets to the cemetery to dress Timmy’s marker, but if I have to cut my expenses, that purchase might be one I’ll have to let go. I told her to go ahead for January because two of the Sunday would be mine already, Timmy’s death anniversary and his birthday/funeral. February would be one of mine also because of his baptism birthday. As we spoke, almost nose to nose, the tears welled again and she apologized for causing me to weep. I explained that I’d already started without her, so she shouldn’t feel badly. It’s emotional to say good-bye to loved ones, you know?
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As Lynn and I were heading out the door, all business taken care of, I had two more guys to wish a Merry CHRISTmas to, being Joe and Gordy. I told them I’d see them at the end of the year, as we have worship on New Year’s Eve, and Gordy said, “I don’t know why you have to go in the first place!” I told him I have to go see my people and he said, “Your people are here!”. And, he was not wrong………….
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I’d gotten and given hugs all night, but then Kathy gave me a wonderful present to send me on my way----a bottle of Firefly Tea-flavored vodka, dressed in a knit keeper. She hand-made the card, poured her love into it. Such a special gift, so unexpected, but will be greatly enjoyed. In fact, later that evening I had a glass with lemonade and Firefly mixed in it! The choir had begun their rehearsal when I stuck my nose in, and The Maestro gave permission to anyone who hadn’t said good-bye yet to do so. Talk about a disruption! Thanks, Maestro! And bye church family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
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Yesterday’s e-mail, opened here at Mom’s, brought a lovely note from Ed, my new best friend from Publix, who was the guy who got me the tickets for the Packer/Jaguar game. He said he knew where we were sitting on Sunday and when the Champion’s Club was introduced and walked on the field pre-game, he waved our direction, in case we could see him. Ed said, “I was thinking of you when I walked out on the field” which I find just delightful, and I did mention to Lynn and Justin that Ed was part of that group on the field, so, yes, I was thinking about him, too!