Hi, all!
I just returned from a vacation trip to Colorado to see my family and officiate at the wedding of my nephew, Will, and his bride, Kelseigh. It was a wonderful trip and I came back refreshed.
It was an honor to officiate at the wedding of Will and Kelseigh, but it felt a bit odd. I wasn't sure if I was acting as the uncle or the priest. The emotions I felt as the uncle, with all the memories and associations of our family, had to be tamped down a bit as I officiated. The officiant shouldn't get choked up...that's the job of everyone else! Here's a photo.
I took walks in the Boulder foothills with my older sister, had coffee with my brother in a funky Boulder coffee shop, enjoyed a summer evening in the backyard of my younger sister and her husband, and spent mornings with my mother in her sun-spilled kitchen. It's good to connect with family...it helps me remember who I am, and reminds me that I am deeply loved. Also I had some time to make some sketches.
I attended St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Boulder on Sunday morning. The priest was gone on a mission trip for the youth group, so we had Morning Prayer led by a layperson. The sermon was also given by a layperson, a lawyer, who gave an excellent homily.
When I returned, I found that Marge Mckenzie was in the hospital for heart problems, so I made a visit to her. I also learned that Janet Steller had a brief stay in the hospital but has returned home. Please keep Marge and Janet in your prayers. I'm grateful to Fr. Craig and Fr. Dick Scott for covering for me while I was away.
Although traveling is great, it's nice to be home, and I'm looking forward to being with you tomorrow as we gather around the holy table and receive the Body and Blood of our Lord, the sacrament of Holy Communion. See you there!
Bill