I never realized how much ownership I have of where I live until now that I am about to leave it behind. As I anticipate moving within the next month, I realize I think of the local Publix supermarket as my Publix and the neighborhood drugstore as my drugstore. I picked up a bread at the local Panera’s recently and left feeling that it might have been the last time I bought a challah (braided Sabbath bread) from my Panera’s. And what about the “Curves” workout center? I love my Curves, though I can’t say I actually get there all the time. Still, I feel I belong there. I also have a special feeling for the library near by having spent delightful hours just browsing through other people’s thoughts and ideas. I guess I’ll have to find a new veterinarian closer to my new home to take Lizzie to for her shots or when her tummy isn’t feeling well. And what about where I get my hair cut. Jessica and I have chatted over many a hair cut for a few years. I’m feeling a sense of loss, leaving all this familiarity behind.
Most of all, I’m missing my Mom. Her room is now entirely empty except for one rocking chair that was my Dad’s and the boxes I am now beginning to fill with the kitchen stuff I’ve started to pack. How is it that a person’s belongings, their stuff, lasts longer than they do? I know Mom is in glory with the Lord and my father. She’s enveloped in the joy of the presence of Jesus. So I have no grieving for her plight. It’s just that I miss sharing with her all the newness going on. This is the first time in all my days that I don’t have Mom to share and talk over what new thing is going on in my life. She was always my mother, but when we moved to Florida together on January 1st, 2004, she became my best friend as well. Perhaps this is one of the reasons it’ll be good to move. No more empty spaces that Mom used to fill in our home.
It’s funny about places and how the places change us. When I moved to where I live now, I knew none of the people that are now a part of my days and weeks. Now I think of them as mine, not that anyone at Panera, or the drug store, or Publix even knows my name. Trying to make the emotional transition, I went to the new Publix near where my daughter Ellen lives, which means where I will soon be living as well. I bought a few things and when I went to check out, the cashier looked like her face was glowing. She just radiated joy. There’s generally only one reason someone looks that radiant. I said something to her like, “You look like a blessed person.” She lit up even more if that’s possible. “I am,” she said and began to talk about Jesus and how He’s the reason for her joy. I Amen’d what she had to say, letting her know I’m a believer too. Then I told her, “I’m going to be moving into the area and I came to just check out the new Publix. It’s nice to meet a sister in the Lord here.” An older gentleman was bagging the food as we talked. Turning toward him she said, “This is Sam. He’s a brother in the Lord too.” He smiled a broad cheerful smile and said, “Welcome to our family.”
“We are a family here,” she said, “and we’re glad to welcome you to it.” I’m not sure if she meant the Pubix family or the fellowship of the two of them, as she told had me there are other believers working there as well. So while it’s not my Publix yet, it’s a good beginning toward feeling like I’m about to become part of the new neighborhood. Wherever the people of God are, you’re never an outsider or a newcomer for long.
Amen to the Family
ReplyDeleteMary P.