A Drop in the Bucket
Typically when someone moves to a new location they begin the (sometimes long) process of building relationships or community. Somewhere in the process you lose track of the fact that you are in that process. Probably because by then you have a group of friends with whom you share your life. The results of the magnitude of that community-building process really become noticeable when you start to leave a place and begin to realize how hard it is to say goodbye and just how many goodbyes there are to say! These next few weeks will be full of sharing bittersweet times with dear friends before we leave.
We are about to trade a very full to overflowing bucket of relationships for a brand new empty one at WTS.
Well, actually, not completely empty. There is a drop in the bucket. I received a letter yesterday from Nan. She welcomed me into the community of women at Westminster and invited me to a women’s luncheon during orientation. She reached out to encourage me and offer any assistance she might be able to give. She is a third year seminarian. She is also married and has grandkids. So I guess I won’t be too out of place! I emailed her to introduce myself (I’m sure I was no one special to get that letter, just an incoming student on a list). I asked her a few mundane questions about phone service and internet providers. She emailed back. Wow, I’ve got the beginnings of a relationship already.
[I did notice that Mark didn't get a similar letter from the male side of WTS. Does that mean the women are more needy, more social, or better organized?]
So, here’s to carrying two buckets…one of current relationships full of joys, challenges and sweet memories. The other waiting to be filled, drop by drop, with new friends.
July 1st, 2004 at 1:31 pm
No, it’s because the (single) guys at WTS are probably too busy hanging around the outskirts of those ladies fellowship meetings hoping one of them wants to add an MRS to their MAR. hehe
July 1st, 2004 at 1:49 pm
Actually, I’d argue that it’s the last two, but not the needy bit … we’re all needy.
July 1st, 2004 at 2:03 pm
Actually, Geof, Mark is much more social than I am. I have to work at it (I’d probably prefer to stay home and read, study, do artwork, or even clean).
July 2nd, 2004 at 9:18 am
It will be interesting to see where you find your “niche” (I have no idea how to spell that!) at Westminster. Will you gravitate towards the college-agers like you did at Evergreen, or will perhaps you find a circle of friends who also have grandchildren? Hopefully, you will find both those to mentor to, and those who will mentor you in the years to come.
July 8th, 2004 at 2:36 pm
can i please be a drop in your bucket?
July 8th, 2004 at 5:16 pm
sure, Christiana!