I’ve been trying to write a blog post for awhile…apparently a few months. From the last time I blogged time has flown. There’s been a wonderful community event called Chautauqua, the adoption of an 11 year old Domestic Shorthair cat called Buddy, the Ordination of our Deacon, a terrible tragedy that claimed the lives of three men, a Memorial Service for those men, and a surprise birthday party for my 50th.
Chautauqua took on a life of it’s own this year in a new format that had all events taking place in the historic downtown core. The Fall Fair took place the same weekend and the grounds at City Hall were filled with animals of all shapes and sizes, vendors showing their wares, artists and crafters showing their trades and a community out to enjoy a beautiful Autumn celebration. My little parish hosted the Community Ecumenical Service and it was an absolute success. Folks started coming in just before the official event time and kept coming in for the first 20 minutes. It was glorious. We finished the service in time to get to the Senior’s Centre that was hosting a High English Tea. A Harvest Supper at the Catholic Church rounded out a weekend filled with activity, history, wonder and joy.
Buddy is a cranky black cat, missing one canine tooth who was looking for a forever home. The other cats on the SPCA website were all cuddly and adorable. Buddy looked at the photographer like he could care less…or if he had pose-able digits would have raised his middle finger. He’s cranky, he hisses a lot, has a mean meow and reminds me of my late father. So of course, I was hooked. He doesn’t like being picked up…or touched…I am allowed to pet him within very strict parameters that I have not yet learned. He’s not particularly patient with me, hence the hissing. He likes to hide under the dining room table. He likes to be in the same room as me, but not too close. He’s afraid of the mop and the vacuum and doesn’t climb. So far so good…but I’m unsure of his assessment of me as his staff. After all, they say dogs have owners and cats have staff.
Ordination is one of the great celebrations of the Church. A faithful woman of God was Ordained in Christ’s Holy catholic Church and we gathered to celebrate. We sang her favourite hymns, surprised her with an Anthem. She was feted and celebrated and the parish commissioned a red Deacon’s stole for her which she helped to design. An absolutely gorgeous design featuring flames and doves in shades of red, blue and white. Absolutely spectacular for an absolutely spectacular child of God.
On the 17th of October my brother was returning to Calgary after visiting me overnight. I took him to see the Church and he signed the Guest Book. I went to a meeting at a Retirement home across the street from the local Arena. Little did I know that our community would be rocked to it’s very core that day. The winds were high and sky was a strange colour. The atmosphere around town was eerie. Hurricane force winds blew the power out twice and we were in the dark for a couple of hours the second time. I was checking my Facebook feed and saw that there had been an accident at the Arena and the surrounding neighbourhood had been evacuated…including the residents I had visited earlier that day. I went to the evacuation centre and tried to provide some comfort, some humour and a few hugs. Three men died that day. They went to work and didn’t come home. And even now, months later, there is still a void in the community. The residents returned home within a week, but there is still a sense of unease. However, this community did what it does best and came together in a show of support. We will always remember those who died, but too will we remember the community that showed support and love to one another. The road is long before us but we will get there…together.
A Community Memorial Service was held on the 12th of November on the grounds of the high school. It was damp, overcast, chilly day but there was an air of hope. The community choir sang, my United Church colleague and I offered prayer at the beginning and ending of the service. Three eulogies were shared, many tears were shed and a group of strangers gathered as family.
I don’t like surprise parties…especially when I’m the one being surprised…but that’s exactly what happened on the 25th of November, the day before my 50th birthday. My congregation decided that I needed to celebrate this milestone and so I was duped into leaving town for the day with a friend who needed to run errands and I was there to be company in the car, navigate and carry stuff. We got back at 5:30 and the street was lined with cars. I thought my Roman colleague was having a larger than average attendance at Mass. And then I saw a parishioners car parked where it usually isn’t. Then I looked at the lawn of the Rectory and saw 50 pink flamingos…and a sign notifying all and sundry that is was my 50th. I walked into the Church, down to the parish hall and opening the door heard “SURPRISE!” I was shaking and smiling and unable to remember my name at that point as I saw friends, neighbours, parishioners and colleagues gathered to celebrate a half-century. I was presented with a “birthday girl” pink sash, pink star sunglasses and a birthday tiara. Many of the guests wore pink. And everyone knew I was surprised… We feasted on potluck fare, a birthday cake that read “Happy Birthday Princess Flamingo” I took many photographs and opened many cards and gifts, one of the most special being a painting a parishioner and friend painted with birch trees and a winter sun…it is spectacular. There was a trivia game with 50 questions related to my life…and those assembling the game had help from my brother, my spiritual advisor and friend. It was great fun…and while I still don’t like surprises, it was a blessing to celebrate with so many wonderful people.
When the tragedy took place in October I realised just how much this community has become home for me…and how the folks that live here are my family. Seeing such a large collection of people at the birthday party reinforced this to me. I am loved very much here and I love this place very much.
If the rest of my 50th year is anywhere near as awesome as the first few weeks, I’m in for an absolutely AWESOME year!
