Till We Meet Again a woman’s perspective
Well, my time at St. Mary’s is quickly drawing to a close. I never suspected, when my husband and I took our little holiday in September, that it would initiate such a life change for us. Our heads are spinning!
I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting lately. I wander through our house, remembering the building of it, the slow progression – invisible walls (studs only); plywood floors…and my sister writing, ‘I’d like to send you a housewarming gift, what’s your color scheme?’ We’ve come a long way since then.
I reflect on my first day of work at St. Mary’s, showing up on the 2nd of January, 2009, excited to be joining the office staff. Darryl buzzed me into the office and stared quizzically at me as I tried to explain to her why I was there. She did not know I was coming, certainly unaware that I was going to be in training for her job, and Fr. Dave was nowhere in sight. It was a memorable day and one that made me think I had made a terrible mistake. We’ve come a long way since then.
God leads us, whether we are aware of it or not. We think our choices are our ideas, but I believe we are continually guided. If the choice is a wrong one, perhaps we were not paying particular attention, but God will make it right in time. That’s happened again and again in my life and I’m sure you’ve experienced it too.
When I married in 1978, I followed my husband to Montreal, leaving my family behind. It was difficult, of course. For at least a decade I cried with every letter that arrived from my family. I was not unhappy, I had no regrets about the choice I had made, there was just that ache in my heart, where I held my parents and siblings.
Now I’m leaving a job that I love; we’re moving away from our kids and grandkids. It will not be easy, there will be that same ache in my heart, but I have no regrets. I believe God is leading us to a new and significant calling. We are excited and eager to discover what that might be. We will listen carefully; we will let ourselves be guided by the Spirit.
Of course, in the dead of winter, when our move is done and the unpacked boxes loom large; in a new environment, unfamiliar and uncertain, that tug of regret just might show itself. Was this a mistake? Did we make the right choice? Right or wrong, all will be made right in time. My sister Patti and I used to love to sing the old, traditional round – Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold. You are all GOLD, my friends. You will remain in my prayers and I will take you with me in my heart. Have a Blessed Christmas, and may God bless you all – till we meet again!