As usual, I hate to see the summer go.  I convinced myself that if I only had two more weeks I would have a full tank of gas - which of course is not true but I would like to think so. 

Now that the leaves are pretty much gone I am reflecting back on this summer.  I would say there were four big family events.
 

1. Rudy and Ben and Rip moved out of our house up to Toronto where Ben is beginning his teaching responsibilities as New Testament professor at Tyndale University.  While the "space" is wonderful I miss my little buddy and his parents terribly.
 

2.  My nephew, David, got married and so we had a giant family reunion in August.  I had a stellar conversation with my brother-in-law, Mark, and feel that we made huge strides towards reconciliation.

3.  My niece, Catherine, (David's sister) just got married a couple weeks ago just outside of Santa Cruz in California - giant reunion number two.  Joan and I had wonderful times with the big trees, the big waves and the big seals.  The highlight of that celebration was a conversation I had with another nephew, Sam, who gave me his one-year N.A. coin.  I was grateful that I was able to encourage him in his journey and am ecstatic (if I can use that word) that he now has his "do-do" together and has a job helping other addicts.  I could not be prouder of him.

4.  Joan's parents, whose 60th wedding anniversary we celebrated a year ago, were highlighted at both receptions.  They are moving out of their house of more than 50 years into a retirement community.  They are doing a great job in making the transition.  

Here's hoping we get a lot of snow this winter so I can cross-country ski. 
 

    Pastor Don