Gatherers,
Someday soon I hope to get back
to sending interesting, colorful, festive, informative, and inspiring
weekly e-newsletters (I'm hoping the e-newsletters used to be all those
things). At the beginning of this transplant journey, Isobelle
graciously offered to help with the e-newsletters, but I thought
managing them was no big deal. Hah! In the past 2 months, I've
definitely run up against the hubris of thinking I can do everything.
Perhaps I also keep hoping for some routine and predictability in this
chaotic time, and managing the e-newsletters symbolizes that. What's
the quote - hope springs eternal? Well, I may be hoping, but routine
and predictability have not yet returned, so maybe one day soon I'll get
out an interesting, colorful, etc, e-newsletter but not
today.
Thank you for your prayers and
thoughts during the past couple of weeks. Neil's father, Thomas G.
Snipes, Sr, died early Saturday morning, June 2. The graveside service
was Sunday afternoon, in a beautiful country cemetery outside Mt.
Vernon, TX. For most of the gathered family and friends, this was their
first opportunity to see Neil post-transplant (after all, it's only
been 8 weeks), and the first opportunity in many months to see him at
all because of his travel restrictions while on the transplant list. So
as is often the case, but perhaps more obvious this Sunday, gathering
for a death was also an opportunity to celebrate life.
We
were in San Antonio by early Tuesday morning for post-transplant clinic
and finally returned to San Angelo Wednesday night. While it's been a
full and tiring several days, we're very glad Neil and I were able to be
present with
his siblings and other family members for his father's burial. We
appreciate your continued care as we begin transitioning to life without
Tom.
As to Sunday's Gathering, Dick
Marine is planning the service. He says it's going to be very unusual,
surprising, and different, so don't miss it. I've lost track of days,
but I believe this is the second Sunday of the month; if so, there's no
potluck this Sunday. At this time, I don't know the designated offering
recipient.
You are a wonderful community -
holding each other in love and care, providing a witness of compassion
and justice to the San Angelo area, seeking to be a vibrant inclusive
progressive faith community in a conservative traditional community.
None of these is particularly easy; all together they are quite
challenging. Kudos to you for keeping after all of it.
Grace
and peace,
Karen
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