~ A Proper Send-Off ~

Goggy and Papa have spent the past 42 years in Dickerson, Maryland, and are leaving this week to spend their remaining years in North Carolina.  This past Sunday was their final worship at the tiny little Dickerson Methodist Church they’ve attended here in the country all that time.

Goggy has even been a Lay Minister there for several years.  It’s more than a church, it’s a family to them.

I can’t begin to imagine all of the milestones in their lives they’ve celebrated here.

This little country church has been their home as much as, well,  their actual home!  Goggy has given sermons, and Papa has done all kinds of work on the building and grounds all of these years.  They’ve been a huge part of the support system for this church.

Why, My Captain and I were married at this very alter by none other than Goggy herself!

Believe me when I say that there is nothing sweeter than marrying your best friend in his parent’s country church, by his own MOM!

So when I say that Goggy and Papa leaving is a big deal, I’m not just whistling Dixie.   The church family got them gifts, and threw a good old-fashioned church pot-luck to send them off right.

Now, you and I, we keep things real, don’t we?  So I can be honest with you, and you won’t judge me when I tell you that even though I totally GET that this was about saying goodbye.

And I understand that this was about fellowship, and love, and closure.

And I KNOW it was absolutely NOT about ME.

When you look at this picture, and see me standing there (long brown duster, cowboy boots, and bedhead on the right) looking for all the world like I’m intensely listening, you won’t love me any less when I confess that I was actually…..

…guarding the homemade fudge. (You’d be amazed how much fudge you can hide in a full length duster.)

Because you and I know that there ain’t NOTHIN’ more beautiful than a church Pot-Luck to say ‘Hello,’ ‘Good-bye,’ ‘Congratulations,’ or ‘With Sympathy.’

And the more food, the greater the love.

It’s safe to say that Goggy and Papa are well loved!!!

“Burp!”