Is it possible for Dave to actually do something he’s never
done before and be willing to start from the bottom of the pile instead of
always being someone who thinks he’s on top of everything? I know that in
today’s tough job market to find a great job with equivalent pay for a 50
something is almost impossible. We live in a society that is consumed with the
youth cult. Everyone you typically see in most media contexts are young and
beautiful. Yet, I have been humbled to see how God chooses to use 80 and 90
year olds to rock the world.
Today is my father in-law’s birthday and his b-day wish is
to jump out of an airplane. I know Anne’s mom is struggling with this decision.
It is ok to go on a cruise this next week and enjoy the waves and ocean breeze
but forget someone who is 80 plus putting on a chute and jumping out at 10K
feet. His kids all pitched in for this to actually happen.
My real point today is to focus on my Anne, who isn’t an old
dog regardless of her approaching the big 60 but to boast about her ability to
do something totally outside of her box. Anne has be such an amazing helper in
everything I have done over the last 30 plus years of our lives together. I
have been the one to move and have her come and be my faithful assistant. She has always been such a willing partner in
ministry and family over the 40 years we have been together.
I know that deciding to go into the CPE Program, chaplaincy
program, at Banner Good Sam was something that was rather touch and go at first
for my Anne. She has lived in my shadow and never viewed herself as being a
professional, in spite of the fact that she has the educational background, a
masters degree and 30 years of doing spiritual care in many different contexts.
I know that it is easy to be someone who is quick to judge or critique another
rather freely. Now the circumstances have reversed where your group now speaks
freely about how you need to change, rethink your theological view of
everything and then be thrown into the middle of the trauma unit is
overwhelming. I know that my tendency and Anne’s is to try to fix everyone and
not practice the spiritual presence of God before a word is said. Anne has had
to face the trauma of watching a little baby die in their mother’s arms. She
has been with someone who was just told they have a terminal disease.
I admit that I have a delicate ego that doesn’t want someone
to beat me up too often. I can’t fathom having a panel discussion each week
that reviews how you are doing with your pastoral care of a variety of
patients. I know that there isn’t a real manual that preps me for knowing how
to stretch someone who has been raised to do nada. I also know that some people
are very delicate in their nature and others are like bulls that you have to
hit in the head with a 2x4 to get their attention. So I’m so thankful for
Anne’s supervisor, who has become a close friend and mentor, who has helped her
become more confident in her our own giftedness.
I have enjoyed our walks at the early hours and late hours
of the day where we will reflect together about how to deal with the brokenness
in our family, our community and her work. I have benefited so much from her
learning experience that it has helped me be more out there and willing to step
up and not over react or under react to daily circumstances. I know it is easy
for us to be competitive and think that it is all about winning, this is mostly
a guy thing and miss out on the blessing of doing life together.
I do love my old dog, Graham, who is such an incredible
friend. I can’t imagine not having our Graham around. Yes, as Anne would say, I
have my new mistress, Freckles but I know that our big puppy will help Graham
stay active and have a special friend. My puppy will help me and my old dog
stay young beyond our true years. I’m so thankful that my Anne was willing to
go into this program being the elder lady, she definitely doesn’t look it and
impact everyone around her including her old hubby – me! I’m so proud of my
Anne J
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