Memory Making and the unknown future of a Seminarian's Family

This is my grandma. She lives in an Christian assisted living facility and she will tell you that it is wonderful and the people are so kind and happy and that she is so grateful.  I want to be more like my Grandma: content and thankful, appreciative and pleasant. I can tell that she is a source of joy for the other residents, too. Each time we visit she introduces us to whoever is around, making us, her family, and them, her neighbors feel important and special.

I love that she is wearing this sweatshirt in this picture. She's been wearing it for as long as I can remember, even though it looks brand new - not a stain or sign of wear on it! The reason I love it is because it is my grandma. There are pictures of all (or many?) of the different light houses around Michigan (I should ask more specifically next time!). So many of my childhood memories with my Grandma and Grandpa Van Drunen are from the cottage that they had and the boat rides we would take frequently in the summer. Light Houses were used in decoration around the cottage and talked about as exciting sight seeing monuments. I love that her home is now in a building named "Boardwalk" and other building nearby also have beach and water related names!

They hosted a family Easter Egg Hunt and brunch today. I love that we get to be a part of some of these events for now; to make some memories for my kids and their Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa.

Something we get asked frequently as a seminarian's family is, "Where do you hope to go after seminary?" Our answer is that we are open to go almost anywhere; some places would be easier and some would be more difficult, but the right position in the right church and community is more important than where we might hope to go. (Of course, the more spiritual sounding, seminarian answer would be "Wherever Gods call us!")

It is a reminder that this stage of life is ultra-temporary, with a fixed "end date". And that we don't know where we will be 2 years from now. Close to family? Far from family? (Thankfully, we have family and many friends all over this country!) 3 years goes so quickly...we're more than halfway through already! I'm thankful and enjoying that we get to make some memories together while we are here.