By mommie2zs in Buster — Oct 28, 2012

What A Weekend!

It’s now two weeks later, and writing blog posts about meaningful events is sometimes difficult to do in retrospect, but what a wonderful weekend we had.

It began with all of us going to CrossFit for the 7:15 WOD. Due to an L1 Cert., Kids CrossFit was canceled, so after Team Gems put in a stunning performance, completing this WOD:

Teams of 2. Only 1 team member working at a time.

AMRAP in 15 minutes of:

20 shoulder to overhead ( 75#/55#)
20 toes2bar
20 Front Squats ( 75#/55#)

We drove home to the Farmer’s Market, then a lovely afternoon all together. Saturday night brings church, and since neither Buds nor I were willing to miss the service, Yessa was stuck heading up the hill with us to the Sanctuary after we dropped off the big kids in class since she doesn’t feel ready to stay in RE without Dad or me with her.

Buds and I were so grateful we both insisted on attending the service because it was the most moving, powerful service either of us has ever attended. Our church hosted a conference that day, focused on all congregations being welcoming places for LGBT folks, and that spirit of purpose and love carried over to the evening service. The music, provided by The House Band and Sarah Jebian, had us all on our feet, clapping, laughing, and even crying.

The sermon was given by Michael Piazza, and he had a stirring, winning combination of Southern Minister and liberal freedom fighter which brought on many laughs, head nods, and thoughtful pauses. Fascinatingly, he preached–in part–on the book of Revelation. I don’t know how his interpretation of the 12 gates of Pearl into the Holy City would sit with those of a more conservative, fundamentalist bent, but it resounded with us. There is space for everyone in God’s holy city.

The Litany we all ready together was as moving as the music and sermon.

Litany of hope

To stand with a sanctuary of people, saying these words with meaning and heart-felt conviction was so powerful.

We came out of the service ready to spread love to the whole world.

Then, we walked down to the Program Building to pick up our crew, plus Kate and Bets, plus Emily and Marissa, and we learned that the children had studied the story of John Murray. Raising children in a faith that Buds and I found as adults means that we are learning the UU history with them. I LOVE the story of John Murray.

Then, we came to Sunday.

Many weeks ago I signed our family up for Complete The Circle, a local event to raise money for Our Daily Bread, a local charity. I feel a little extra connection with the organization because Lisa Whetzel is the Exec. Director, and besides being a UUCF member, she and her hubby are members of Green Meadows, the house we pass on the road to Massadoah.

Sundays at the Gemignani House are generally relaxed affairs. Buds may give over much of most Saturdays to family time, but Sundays are largely work days for him. As he was settling into the couch to work, I was gearing up to take all of us to Complete The Circle for the afternoon.

I looked at him.

He looked at me.

“Well…” I said.

“Would it be okay if I didn’t go?” he asked.

“No,” I said, trying not to sound petulant. “I don’t want to have this experience without you.”

We worked together to come up with a plan. Since we didn’t know what the event would actually be like, the children and I would be dropped off at the field where the picture would be taken, Buds would drive to the closest Starbucks to work, then I would call him to pop over for the picture.

The plan worked perfectly. He didn’t feel trapped by my expectations, and I didn’t feel abandoned in favor of Juice.

I called him about 20 minutes before picture taking was to begin, and he had time to drive over, park, play with us for a bit, and join in the picture.

Enough time for a little game of tag with his kids on a beautiful Autumn afternoon.