Anastasia and I had an interesting conversation on the way home from Long Dock Park yesterday. And what was funny about it was that it was something I had been thinking about a lot for the past few days and was trying to figure out how to share what I was thinking about.
I spent quite a bit of time at church towards the end of the week getting the sanctuary ready for Pentecost. Thursday I decorated the altar and started messing around with some red tulle on a fan to imitate fire. Then Saturday I spent two hours on the task of getting tulle and fabric to imitate fire. I wound up only being able to get tulle after several iterations to imitate fire.
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| The final version of fire |
By Sunday the tulle got tired of working as nicely as it did, but it didn't do too badly.
Anyway, every once and awhile I remember times at Wappingers. Especially lately as I've been working on a Children's Day service, which was huge memory from my time as a child, youth, and teacher of Sunday School.
But I came to a realization the past few days. Yes, it is still a bit sad to have had to leave the comfort of things at Wappingers. It is sad to think we had to sell the building. And now it is sad to think of what will be going on with the pipe organ. (Had to stick that in there!)
However, had we not done all that, there are many things that we wouldn't have that we do now.
Anastasia in the car on the way home from Long Dock Park said she missed our old church. And I told her that, yes, I did too. But, if we weren't at PUMC, she wouldn't have made so many friends in Sunday School. And she wouldn't have been able to play hand bells. And she wouldn't have so many adults who care about her. And I wouldn't have had the friends I have now. I wouldn't have been part of the small group I am in. I wouldn't have gotten to grow my relationship with Polly. Or made new friends who are so easy to talk to. Or take on long trips to see giant organs. I wouldn't have grown comfortable with preaching not just to people but to a camera to reach those on Zoom and YouTube. Well, and I guess I wouldn't take decorating the altar space so seriously.
There are such great memories. And whenever I see something that reminds me of my time there, I'm sure I may feel a bit bad about it.
But I am past the really feeling sad about it because what I have gained has made me much happier and more blessed in the long run.
