New Day

One of my former parishioners has a birthday on March 21, the first day of spring. Her parents named her Dagny -- or "dag ny," "New Day" in Norwegian. Spring is the start of a new day and this year that is quite literally true for me.

I had meant to write that bit about Dagny and post it on March 21 itself, but the preparation for this new day was in full swing and there was barely time for the essentials like eating and sleeping. The third week in March was Holy Week and I spent it preparing for and participating in worship services to celebrate the new day that came to the world in the resurrection of Jesus. The next week was my last week at Calvary. Just after celebrating new life, I went through a week of grief. It was hard work saying all those good-byes, drinking all those coffees, eating all those lunches, seeing all those tears , giving all those hugs, and wondering if I was doing the right thing. March 30 was my last worship service as the pastor of Calvary and it was followed by a wonderful program, celebrating our ministry together over the last nearly seven years. I was gifted with kind words, quilts, laughter, and more tears and hugs.

The following Tuesday my Honda, Michi, Jason, a U-Haul, and Jason's 1987 Volvo made the trip from Grand Forks to Chicago. Everyone made it well, except the Volvo (whose disconnected drive shaft fell off around Rockford). I moved into an incredible parsonage and have begun unpacking boxes and am waiting for the day when this house will feel like home (I know it's a way off yet...). It's strange and wonderful to realize that now I live in Chicago. I was able to go home to my parents' house for the day yesterday...I'm making plans with my sister and with my friends...I don't have to fit everything I want to do into a week or a week-end...my sister Maggie called on Sunday and it was so strange to be the one to pick up the phone and tell her, "well, Mom's making lamb chops and Katie and Phil are at the travel agent..." while she was the one far away. It's a whole new day.