Life continues on here in Austin. As usual, things are pretty good, albeit stressful. It's a stress I've come to expect, and even enjoy for the most part. That doesn't quite mean I want another year of it though. But I'm not quite knocking it off of the list yet.
I had a few of my kids drop the program last week and another kid fully (and obviously) plagarize an essay -- all of which were a bit of a downer. But my attendance is back up and my kids really dug the project I had them do last Thursday. Considering I deviated from the curriculum and made it up. I may have decided teaching isn't what I want right now - but it's still really cool seeing that I'm capable of it. Everyday I'm doing things I would hardly have thought myself capable of 3 months ago.
Speaking of which, this past weekend I celebrated my 3 month anniversary of moving to Austin. Ironically enough, I was in Atlanta at the time. I went home this weekend on a quasi-impromptu trip to witness Dr. Price's last Sunday at St. Luke's. I won't dedicate too much space on here to recounting my itinerary since I'm pretty sure most of the people that read this already know most of it. Suffice it to say that it was absolutely 100% worth it. The church party Saturday night and the service and luncheon Sunday were equal parts heartbreaking and warmly nostalgic.
Here are the highlights:
* seeing all of my parent's friends on Saturday night. I might be the only person on the planet that actually enjoys being smothered by church ladies but I sure do. It was also nice getting to tell everybody about my stellar new life. Made it seem even more real.
* getting complimented about 500 times on my rockin' new hairdo. How's that for validation?
* two words: Southern. barbeque.
* hanging out at Shannon's Saturday night with her, Don, Juan Martin, his CPC friend Ashley, Austin Igleheart, and Merdo. There's something so distinct about being a part of this St. Luke's generation, I can't get past it. In fact - it's inspired an entire other blog entry - so expect that as soon as I have some free time.
* "The Church's One Foundation" & "Blest Be the Ties that Bind" - Lord, I love church music. Speaking of which:
* The offertory song: text arranged by D. P. himself. Music arranged by Sue Mitchell Wallace. Beautiful. And somehow appropriate.
* The kid's sermon: D.P. talks to the children about saying good bye. He chokes up when telling them how much he loves them and how proud he is of them and how they are the future of the church. The rest of us choked up too.
* The announcement that Sara Barnhart and Nathan Kratzert both passed the bar exams, while Betsy Martin passed all 5 of her ordination exams.
* D. P.'s sermon: he forewent the words of wisdom I've come to somewhat expect from him in favor of a few important announcements. Namely:
- Shout outs to Terry Nall, Jane Allen, and Mary Martin. Could they have been anymore deserved?
- The big one: D.P. calls an older black man named Cleveland to the front of the church. My mom tells me he used to be our church janitor. D.P. thanks Cleveland for his friendship and tells the congregation that he had gotten ordained some time ago. Then he tells Cleveland that he wants him to have his pastoral robes. There was an audible gasp from the congregation, and those who weren't already crying started to. I can't even write about it without tearing up. He takes off his faded robes - the ones he's worn for decades and hands them to Cleveland, who accepts them and gives him a hug. D.P. reminds us that this means he is officially out of the pastor business and finishes his final sermon in his tie and slacks.
* D.P. announces his future plans - to start a summer camp for young girls, to encourage them and help them have positive self images in spite of all the pressure society puts on them. This was unexpected but cool, and given that he raised three daughters it makes sense.
* Presentation of gifts to Lauren and Jennifer - also Kate and June but they weren't there. The girls get beautiful shaws made by the SLPC knitting group, but the most beautiful part was the presentation by Dorothy Kitchens. She goes on and on about how much the girls have meant to her and how she loved getting to know them as a youth advisor. Then she breaks down completely as she tells them that if her girls end up being half the women they are, she'll know she's done a good job as a parent. Betsy Martin gives them the shaws, also crying a lot.
* Some Columbia Seminary guy charges D.P. and makes sure to tell him that God gave him incredible gift for preaching and that he should find a way to put that to use in his new life, THANK YOU!
* D.P. gives his last benediction - go in peace.
* At the luncheon the church unveils thte cherry tree they're planting in D.P.'s honor.
* The bitty children sing a song and Jack McKenney (as in the kid I babysat for in high school who is now 11) comes up to me, points to the kids and says: "aren't they cute?" OMG
* I go up to give D.P. a hug goodbye and - surprising myself - I tell him to call me if he needs employees for his camp. He responds seriously, saying that my name had actually come up and that he most certainly would. I'd never considered it before, but who knows. Life is funny that way.
All in all - it was an incredible experience and I am so grateful that I got to be there. You know it's been a long time since I've held any delusions of perfection about D.P., but he has helped shaped my life in so many ways. Every kid needs their Dumbledore and he was mine - right down to his humanization in the later years of my teenagehood. I don't know everything, but I know I'm going to miss him. I'm really really going to miss him.
Other good things about being home:
Seeing my dad! It was sooooo good to see him, and we had drinks together at Taco Mac. And then we had some delicious crab legs at Red Lobster for lunch the next day. And I got to hang out with Ansley and M.E. for a bit. And I got to see the skyline of Atlanta. Oh my God. Beautiful. From the condo til downtown, it was just a sea of trees in a thousand different colors and rising up out of this sea like a fairy tale castle was the skyline of this magnificent city. Life abounds endlessly in every direction. Austin is fabulous - but I love Atlanta.
In other news - things with Joe continue to be good. He drew me!
See below:
How cool is that? I don't know why it's so flattering when someone does something artistic that's about you - but man - it really is. Joe is nice. :)
Okay - that's all!
2 comments:
I like the drawing of you :-)
You didn't tell me that D.P. had thought of you to help start his camp! That is very cool.
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