Thankfulness for Hanging In There

I am thankful that well over half the leaves in the trees seem to be hanging in there, longer than usual for mid-November.  It is a joy that autumn’s beauty is being prolon
ged.  I’m thankful for other “hangers-on.”

Hanging in there with Mom
More than usual, I’ve been seeing the beauty of this autumn from the sunroom windows of my mom’s condo where my siblings and I are hanging in there with her.  I spent most of my vacation and did most of my retreat with her.  It was a pleasure to be with her as she is healing from a fall where she probably broke some ribs.  Hang on for some bad news.
 I feel bad that on my watch she likely fractured a vertebra or two adding to her suffering.  When I was with her during my time off, we carefully ventured out to the garage to sit in the sunlight.  I was bracing the chair for her to reach back and grab the arms, when, all of a sudden, she sat back and dropped into the chair with some force and winced in pain.

At eighty-nine, her decline over the past six months has been marked.  While she loves the lift chair we purchased for her, she loves it too much, staying reclined and sleeping or resting nearly twenty hours a day, having lost interest in pastimes like TV and reading. 

For so many caregivers, “hanging in there” is a joy, a constant calling and a challenge.  My siblings and I doubled our visits, making certain we are with her a couple of hours every morning and evening, to help her eat, change and shower.  We have it down to a practiced routine, changing and soaking protective chair pads, making meals and setting out lunches.  I’m thankful for my siblings and for the opportunity to hang in there with Mom!

Hanging in There with a Widow
Recently, I was back at my previous assignment, Incarnation Church, for a meeting.  After the meeting, I spotted a car in Adel’s driveway across the street from the rectory, so I pulled in.  Since her son was there, I knew she would be up for a visit.  During my four-year assignment, it was a pleasure to come to know Adel and her recently deceased husband Karl. 

She is a short, first generation, German immigrant, full of accent, spit and vinegar.  Several of us neighbors were attentive and helpful to her and Karl as he was declining, lifting him during some falls.  Mostly though, it was a pleasure talking and getting to know them.  Adel and I share an affection for things German, like German smokers and Christmas light arches and pyramids.  She also collected Hummels and at my departure gave me three little Hummel, wall mounted, holy water fonts, which I have hanging in the rectory and my offices. With whom else am I hanging in there?

Hanging in there with Parishioners, Leaders and Staff
During the visit with Adel, she asked me how things were going.  I reminded her of Beacons of Light and how we have five parishes working together.  I told of how God’s holy people are hanging in there, striving to be hopeful and positive even as they experience feelings like fear and doubt.  I told her how blessed I feel to have outstanding parish leaders (for example, pastoral councils, finance committees, worship commissions and PPT) and staff, who are also hanging in there providing me with support and abundant hope!

Thankful for Support
In fact, in my twenty years as a pastor, I have never felt so supported and pleased with staff members.  What are some reasons Crescent Staff is awesome and I am so thankful?
1. Our staff is united in abundant ways:  working together and in more than one location, having staff meetings together. Some families of parishes are struggling in this regard. 
2. Our staff is positive, their personalities and the energy/vibe they show!
3. Our staff is professional, exceeding goals and expectations, anticipating problems and always about improvement, open to learning new things and approaches.

Thanks for Loyalty Related to Poaching
With a wonderful staff, it is no wonder that there are people not only from other churches but also in the corporate world who are trying to poach some of our employees!  Also, most staff members could make more money at wealthier parishes or in the corporate world.  Their love for Jesus and the Church makes them missionary disciples who follow Jesus’ call to stay focused on him and his mission.  As pastor and in the name of Crescent Parishioners, I am most humbled and thankful for the loyalty of our staff members!!

Jesus, Hanging in There with Us
So, even as more leaves will be falling as we experience the Thanksgiving Day holiday, may we be thankful for the leaves and the people who hang in there.  Most of all, may we know and follow Jesus even better, for his ability and will to hang in there with us, offering abiding love and mercy.
 
Sincerely and with Love in Christ,
Fr. Pat