Prelude: My mom was an Enrichment Director for 12 years from 1988-2000 and bearing witness to it as a student at St. Paul Lutheran and having to stay with her? Well, I knew that I had a mom that could turn kids into the best that they could be.
Hello,
After some thinking, I made a journey back to my old roots on 1/17 as part of "Goodwill" peace process. I was back there in 2013 for an advent talk. I was warmly welcomed back but kind of overstayed my welcome...
When I mean my old roots, I mean St. Paul Lutheran Day School and Church. It was a way to put my hand out and say, "hey, no hard feelings." It was a joy to be welcomed back by so many people despite my thoughts I was going to be ill-received. It was excellent to see that I was welcomed with open arms. Dressed in my golf shirt and pants, I looked around.
Mr. Giguere along with his wife, they were surprised at my return. He was the principal who had governed a lot of students during his time. He was the prime authority figure at St. Paul. I told him about my family and how everything's going. Mr. Giguere told me what a great person I turned out to be and how I definitely became my mother's son. I stated that my mom and dad raised me to know right from wrong.
He also went on to ask me what I was doing with myself nowadays. I told him that I was working in Washington D.C. in the statistics department. He said: "You must be making good money." I said: "It's not $100k a year, but it's good enough." He asked me about the family and I told them that everything was going just fine with everyone. Kira had 2 kids, Matt was working very hard towards his college degree, and Dad and Mom were working and having a blast traveling. One of my dad's old usher friends said: "You know, get your parents to come back, I miss your father! He was the best! I miss talking about golf, computers..." I said: "I'll try." I think they wanted them back...
Pastor Schafer was astounded that I returned. I also believe that he thought there was going to be vitriol and shame for me returning but he said: "Josh, welcome back sir. Everyone is always welcomed in God's house." I said: "God must have a lot of houses, Mr. Schafer. I want to find out what he drives." Earning me a chuckle from him. He said: "It's been 16 years since you've been here, but you know you guys are always welcomed back."
Mr. Dungey, who was a-ok with us, said: "Josh! Of all people!" I said: "Mr. Kevin, how are you doing." He was impressed with how I seemed to be doing working for DC and getting married to my wife... who was working on this Sunday. Mr. Dungey was very pleased to see me but wondered where everyone else was. I said: Working, working, anddddddddddddddd working."
Before the service, I looked around and took 20 seconds to eye my surroundings. First of all, I saw Elizabeth Middleton, an old Sunday School student we knew... Pastor Schafer's wife along with Alicia and others... Familiar faces... No real sign of anyone else here.
I quietly took my seat and said: "Hey God, what am I doing here? Is this a goodwill tour for me? Is this a way to say, hey, make peace? What is it?" I heard the organ and the first thing out of my mouth was: "Yep, out of tune, still sounds the same."
As I attempted to sing the songs from the new hymnals... I thought: I remember the old books, the blue and red books... The TNR-Hardcode font... I said: It's so different now. The bulletin? Different. Everything was on the back. Not the front.
I listened to the sermon in regards to the Wedding at Cana. I said: November 7, 2015... I got married and this is what I wanted as a bible verse. The sermon went on for 12 minutes. At the end, he said: "With God, Anything is possible... Amen..." During the moment of silence, it felt like eternity, and during that time, I heard Jesus say: "Josh, you came back here, now what are you doing here? Are you here for giggles? Did you not want to sing the song at your church? What...? Why are you here?" I said in my head: "I feel like it was my duty to come back and bring the peace. Isn't that what I am supposed to do?"
The prayers were completed and Pastor Schafer said "Are there any guests?"
I raised my hand because technically, despite my non-active membership, I was a guest. I said: "This is my first service here in 16 years..." and I almost wanted to stop myself but I thought: "Nah, talk." After I finished, I sat down, scared.
And there was a nice warm reception from the congregation. Biz? Gave me a: "I know that guy" look...
I looked at our family's spot at the doors of the church. After the song was over, I said: "My family sat in that spot for many many years... Thanks for keeping it warm for us." The woman said: "Oh you're welcome. How come you haven't been back here?" I said: "I don't know. Just a long story that has many chapters. But I decided to make my way back. I'm old enough to make my own decisions."
So afterwards, I went up to the pastor's wife who gave me a big hug and I congratulated her for beating cancer. I said: "You really whupped cancer's rear end now didn't you." I told her what was up and she took a picture of myself and her daughter Alicia. She was impressed with everything and she said: "Please come back." I said: "I can't really be a member of 2 churches, but I'll be back here in the summer maybe if you guys get a Sunday School opening." I really did want to start reaching out to high schoolers more. So a Sunday School job would be nice while Chorus is out and I can talk to middle and high schoolers.
As I left the sanctuary, I took a look at the old place... the old buildings... the loft... everything... lots of changes made... Then I went downstairs to where the bible study was being held. It wasn't started yet.
To get to the meat and potatoes of this entry...
I saw Mr. G, walked over, and I said: "So Mr. G, everything going ok here?" Despite his hard and difficult speech, he said: "I wish it was." He took me aside and said: "Josh, your family is always welcomed back. But can I give you a nice little statistic about your mom?"
I said: "Sure. I like numbers."
Mr. Giguere sat me down and said: "Josh, your mom was here for many years. You guys were devoted members. In her time here at St. Paul, she took care of about a total 250 different kids in the mornings and afternoons. Well, 90% of those children went on to become college grads. One child who got his master's degree cited your mom as a wonderful influence saying that kicking his butt was the best thing she could've done."
I said: "I take it he was one of the troublemakers?"
He continued with: "Oh yeah, I'm sure your mom remembers him."
I said: "90%? Are you sure?"
He said: "90%. I've stayed in touch with a lot of kids. Your mom was extremely important and an integral part to the community. She had a tough job. Having to work those long hours made her a very big part of our school."
I smiled and said: "That makes me proud that she's my mom and she could do all that. Anything else that I didn't know?"
He said: "Your dad... He was the reason why we had a computer lab. Remember that check for $1,400 I wrote to get computers and you went with him? Well, your dad sure as heck went out and got what we needed. He did a lot of technical work for this school that no one has come close to what he did."
I said: "I remember how much that check was for. It was for $1,316.48. My parents meant a lot, huh?"
He said: "Your parents meant so much to us."
I was pretty content with what he had to say and I closed with: "It was nice seeing everyone, take it easy, and we'll catch you on the flip side."
I looked over at the neighboring houses across the way as I left. I said: "90%... My mom did that... She's an influence."
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You see folks, think about that for a minute... 90%... Only 10% of the kids DID NOT go on to have a college degree. Perhaps they are working towards it? We don't know.
My dad? He was a technical person and made that computer lab what it once was. Now its just books and stuff up where the computers were.
My mom worked so well with anyone, never did I ever hear a complaint out of ANYONE from anybody except maybe... the very very select few.
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Thank you St. Paul for welcoming me back and personally, I am sure we will see each other in the future. A special thanks to Mr. G for giving me that statistic on my mother. That was something special... Thank you.
