Reflections From Sunday Evening

Today something happened in my home church, Trinity UMC in Appleton City, Mo. Rev. Ron Beaton shared that this would be the last day Esther Lou and Linda would be playing the piano and organ together. You see after living in Appleton City practically all their lives mom and dad will be moving to K.C. this week. Dad has lived around there his whole life with the exception of a couple of years in the army. He farmed and then sold insurance and real estate for 40 years. He is pretty well known in A.C. Mom taught school in a number of school districts but primarily in Appleton City. She seems to have taught everyone in town! In addition she has taught Bible Studies at church for years and played the piano or organ since she was 14 years old. So you can imagine what it was like when the preacher said they would be moving. Reports are the choir all cried and there was some good emotion among the congregation. This afternoon Cindy and I drove down where they were having a going away event for mom and dad. It was good to see about 100 people come by to express their love and appreciation. I got to visit with some friends. It was a good afternoon. Now we get ready to help mom and dad enter a new phase of life. We all feel good about being closer together and will actually see each other more frequently. This does represent a real change for them. They are not as experienced in this moving business as Cindy and I and my brother John. We have the advantage of knowing that change produces many new friends and experiences. I trust mom and dad will soon enjoy new friends and new experiences as they make their change. It's been a good day. I trust you've had a good day too. blessings, steve