Perfect Friendship
After 13 years working as a catechist in my parish, 9 years as Director of Religious Education, I attended a farewell celebration yesterday. It was bittersweet and beautiful. Families who attended were encouraged by the dear ones who organized the party to bring flowers for their children to "arrange" which became the centerpieces for the lunch, as well as centerpieces (and bathroom decor, and kitchen windowsill adornments, as well as pretties for my bedrooms and countertops....) for my home after the event. Each of the flowers represents their prayers for me as I move to new pastures, wherever they may be.
A painting was also "commissioned" for me (which one of my dearest friends, Michelle Werner, painted), which was to serve as a summary of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, our shared passion and life's work. I commented that I had never had a portrait painted of me before, but I'm pretty sure I'm the sheep in this painting. It probably would have taken me days or weeks to realize that the yellow circle represented the Pearl of Great Price. But I think Michelle summed up our work well...
It is difficult for me to process all that I am feeling about these moments and people with whom I have shared so much in love, work, and even vulnerability. Perhaps one day the words will come. But for now, as a new day begins, I will let Tina Lillig, the first national director of CGSUSA, speak my gratitude and love for me:
A painting was also "commissioned" for me (which one of my dearest friends, Michelle Werner, painted), which was to serve as a summary of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, our shared passion and life's work. I commented that I had never had a portrait painted of me before, but I'm pretty sure I'm the sheep in this painting. It probably would have taken me days or weeks to realize that the yellow circle represented the Pearl of Great Price. But I think Michelle summed up our work well...
It is difficult for me to process all that I am feeling about these moments and people with whom I have shared so much in love, work, and even vulnerability. Perhaps one day the words will come. But for now, as a new day begins, I will let Tina Lillig, the first national director of CGSUSA, speak my gratitude and love for me:
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