Pastor

     Our older daughter is a member of a great church youth group in our community; it is an oasis of safety and friendship in a world that often feels unkind and impatient. She came upon it by way of a classmate who was in the same school program. Our daughter has been part of this group for almost two years and the social highlights of her year are often associated with it. Part of the reason that it is so supportive is the dedication of the Youth Pastor who runs it. He is friendly, committed and cool; always approachable, he has time and attention for every individual there.
     It is not easy for a person who does not understand non-verbal communication and social cues to come upon a group that is welcoming. While most of us were awkward at some point in our youth, there is often not much compassion for someone who tends to interrupt, talks too much or doesn't always understand all that is going on around them. Our daughter feels like these young people are friends; in this group she find acceptance, appreciation and community. That is huge for her.
     We have attended many services at this church. It's accessible music, casual atmosphere and friendliness (not to mention the endless coffee) have made it easy for both our daughters to enjoy the services there. The Lead, Associate and Youth Pastors have made all of us feel welcome. The Associate Pastor reached out to us and  prayed for us when our daughter's seizures were particularly bad. He was the first person that I am aware of that our daughter ever volunteered information to about how long she had been seizure-free. I told him that that was a measure of how happy she was there and how much she appreciated him, his wife and their prayers. Today we learnt of his untimely death and so we are sad. We will never forget his kindness, wisdom and humility. We'll miss you Pastor Ken!

Twelve Things I Know About Aging That I Wish I Didn't

1. Back pain: Who knew? The simplest chore can now render you useless for the rest of the week!
2. Insomnia: Some nights you sleep, some nights you don't. You're always kept guessing. Who said life would be dull?
3. Whiskers: This is something that I heard about. Hair grows out of places that it shouldn't. As if getting old isn't bad enough!
4. Skin: Spots that are not acne appear on your skin for no reason. I have no idea why.
5. Gravity: I am not kidding. Everything but I mean everything falls or falls off. Don't ask.
6. Appetite: Old people don't need to eat much because they don't do much. And if you do eat a lot, get ready for #2. On this list I mean.
7. Gas: Another one of those things that I heard about. Really!
8. Hearing: I will never experience silence again. There is a sound in my head that no one can do anything about---tinnitus. Look it up.
9. Teeth: They get long, they break off, they let you down. I mean it.
10. Vision: The top of your glasses and the bottom of your glasses do different things.That's all there is to it.
11. Energy: It is so much easier not to do things than to do them and even if you wanted to, you don't have it in you...enough said.
12. Lists: You can no longer remember anything much less the name of the director of "Stand By Me". (I know it's Rob Reiner. I googled it.) You must make lists for everything. Everything!