I've started helping my mom and some women from my home church plan a farewell party & youth group reunion for a family that is
probably definitely the closest thing that I have to a second set of parents with kids that I love like I imagine I will love my own someday {by "parents," I mean friends, really, but I basically anything they say is as good as the bible so that counts as parents, right?}. Chances are by the time I post this I will have written it at least 12 times because how on earth do I journal this experience adequately? {ANNND the party has actually happened at this point so this statement is now true} Anyone who knows me has heard me mention "Shane & Allison," or "The Johns'," a million times. I rarely explain who they are, just assume you will figure it out along the course of our friendship or relationship. The Johns' are moving to Jacksonville, Florida- chasing after The Lord's plan & path for them as I have watched them do since the day our family began intertwining with theirs. I can't possibly begin to explain or letter the depths and lengths that our family has perfectly entangled into theirs and theirs into ours except to say that watching them move feels like one of my sisters is moving across the country and taking my niece & nephews with them. It is so exciting to see them passionately and whole heartedly following His plan for them and I am excitedly awaiting visits to Florida and them back to Texas... but I never foresaw a day when I would visit home and they wouldn't be there. Like, ever. It's kind of stomach rattling and sickening in an extremely selfish way. Shane married Karl & I, Callie & Jer, will marry Maddie to Matt, & I know will marry Em to her future husband someday. I remember going to the hospital when their first baby boy, Seth, was born- he is almost as tall as me now. Then we took S to meet his new sister, Kallie, when she was born and now she is almost too big to pick up and hold. Similarly we held Seth & Kallie's hands running up the hospital hall to meet baby brother, Luke- he starts kindergarten this fall- I mean WHAT THE HECK!?! Where on earth has the time gone? My sister, Callie, lived with The Johns' for a period of time (although who hasn't!?! Their home has always had a revolving door for anyone in need of a room, mad at their parents, bored, or in need of some time in a hot tub), Allison has rescued wedding dresses from stains, designed Cinderella letters & graduation announcements, Maddie & I have experienced Africa twice alongside Shane, we've shared holidays, fun & happy news, & sad times, like when Shane flew back from Florida to be with us when we lost Pa, with whom he had such a sweet relationship with. I mean, I could literally write a novel on my deep appreciation of Shane & Allison and their children and how much they have poured into Park Springs selflessly and completely... but I'll stop because if either of them stumble upon this they will be embarrassed. Sorry I'm not sorry.
What I love is that I know there are
countless past & present students, women, praise team members, Arlington-ites, church members, and family members of church members that have similar stories- feeling so deeply and
uniquely connected with Allison or Shane or one of their kids- that it literally hurts your heart to see them leave. I cannot wait to see the youth group thrive because Shane has shown the students how to be self-led through The Holy Spirit or see the congregation pick up the slack because Allison has taught the church how worship can be carried out thru so many ways, like serving the church and others in a time of need.
annnnd since I wrote this: I'm back in South Carolina now after a trip home that included their farewell partie(s) and saying "see ya later," to The Johns Family. Needless to say mine & Karl's 3 hour flight was a depressing one that was not a minute shy of 3 full hours of crying. Guilty.
So, if you need a therapist to deal with their move, I know a good one.
Trying to figure out how soon is too soon/rude/inappropriate to make the 4 hour drive from here to Jacksonville, I might beat them there :)
Hannah K.C. Burton
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