Laugh? Cry? Happy? Sad?

There just isn't one emotion present when you are saying, "Goodbye."  Sometimes, one emotion just doesn’t cover how you really feel because it is a full-range of emotions!  In an effort to organize, I would like to share my "emotion scale." 

Laugh:
*The new baby addition to the elephant family at the zoo:  Eugenia. What pure joy! 
*The 16 turkeys in my neighborhood:  I smile every time I see them!

Cry:
*Mourning the loss of three friends who died of Covid.
*Morning the loss of the 870,000 plus people who have died in the USA in the past 23 months.
*Mourning the families who have lost loved ones to Covid.

Happy:
*To be with my family & friends and giggle at the same things.
*To see my dog who has an unconditional love and  undying trust for her human.
*To wake up in the morning!

Sad:
*The hospitals and staff, the teachers who face the pandemic everyday.
*The callousness of people who ignore a world pandemic.
*The lack of compassion for those barely making ends meet. 

All of the Above:
*Pastor Jim leaving Holy Cross Lutheran.  

Yes, Pastor Jim made it to the “All of the Above.”   It has been a full-range of emotion knowing that our cozy set-up of the creative ministry team is now being dissolved. Scared, sad, angry….you name it.  Every emotion surfaced.   

Yet, I realized that it is not the end of ministry at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. It is the CONTINUATION of our ministry.  We will work together.  We will listen to each other.  We will even disagree with each other.  However, we will collectively move forward with open eyes and ears. We will continue to get along.       

Though I am sad to see Pastor Jim and Deb leave, I am excited for them as they explore and set out for new adventures.  I wish them well.  You will be missed.    Don’t worry about us.  We’ll be just fine! Our ministries are strong, our people are strong, and our love for Holy Cross is strong thanks to you, Pastor Jim.   Bon voyage!  

Musically Yours,
Becky Jones