March 10, 2021: What is a Year?

As we approach the one-year anniversary of our first “pandemic” Sunday, I am sharply aware of how much has changed.

The seasons have all turned. The Still Spring garden at GNUUC has blossomed, wintered, and been tended and enjoyed. Our community has also weathered the year, making adjustments to separation, loneliness, and so many unfamiliar and sometimes overwhelming ways of doing things.

We were dragged kicking and screaming, or perhaps just whimpering, into the 21st century. We zoomed, we socially-distanced for holidays, we had cocktail hour online, we finally saw Hamilton. Many of us learned new skills and enriched our knowledge of the world, once we accepted that we’d have to “travel” digitally. The air became cleaner. The White House became more dignified. We prayed, sang, and held our breath through several elections and… guess what? We are still here.

A few dear ones left us, and for that we are deeply sorrowful.

When I made arrangements to come to Nashville part-time to work with GNUUC, I told the committee that I would stay as long as I was able depending upon my health and my family. And by family, I mean primarily my 16-year-old son Seth, who, because he is on the Autism spectrum, struggles daily. The pandemic has not been easy for any school kids, but for kids with disabilities, it has been excruciatingly hard. Seth begged me not to ever leave him again after I returned from serving in NJ for 2 years. We all thought the Nashville arrangement would be fine, because he was older, would be busy with band on weekends, and because it was closer and I’d be home for a few days each week. And it was fine, until COVID happened. He is failing classes, fighting anxiety attacks, and generally unhappy. (And that is with both of us here at the house.) ASD people need predictable schedules and lots of support.

My heart has been torn, because I love each one of you so much, and wish I could stay on a bit longer. At the same time, I can not say that I am the person to give you the best ministry with these other demands. I look forward to seeing many of you after I’ve had my second immunization in April, and to staying connected to hear all the great things I know you have in store!

Love, Cynthia