Welcome.
Eyes meeting. Broad smiles. Such joy in inviting us into their home.
In the 100 year old house, walls covered with their now grown kids kindergarten art projects.
Warm fire on the damp Seattle evening. Comfy chairs pushed up to it.
On a low square table in front of the flames, china set. A mixture of casual and fancy. Relaying to me, come be comfortable and you are important enough for our very best.
This man who would be my husband’s internship mentor. His wife with wisdom and compassion. A gift of a start to this seminary journey.
That night in their eyes we felt like the most important, interesting people. As question after question they explored our life. No, more than the facts of our life, but a pursuit of our hearts. Our hopes. Our losses.
Never distracted. Focused on us. On our conversation.
Our shoulders and any weight they were carrying, relaxed. Letting go of any layers of pretension.
To be seen. To be heard. To be noticed.
Eight years later I can remember visual details of that night. The feeling of being anticipated. Wanted. Welcomed.
I carry it around with me. Awaiting the ways it can be shown to others.
I hope this space, this slice of the internet, my online home, can offer that kind of welcome. May it be so.
Participating in Lisa Jo’s 5 Minute Friday. Write for five minutes- no over thinking, no backtracking. Link back. Encourage the person whose link is before yours.
Read more here
Prompt today: Welcome.
Seminary has such wonderful memories for my husband and me. It’s where we met, got married and made life-long friends. Thank you.
Jonelle- Thank you for stopping by! I loved our seminary years- very special time. Where were you and your husband going?
Nice to meet you! My husband got his D.Min. from Bethel–and we have family in the Twin Cities.
Pattie- Nice to meet you too! We lived on campus at Bethel for a year or so (2002-03). I loved the campus there. Happy Friday.
This is a beautiful picture of welcome.
It was good for me to remember!
Melanie, what a sweet memory! Came over from fmf – to be totally engaged in conversation and being made to feel like you really matter, that’s the best definition of welcome! N
Nancy, Thank you for stopping by. I hope to offer that to others.
To be seen. To be heard. To be noticed. That is what we all yearn for. What we all deserve. I can’t help but think of all the children that want and need to be seen, heard, noticed and loved but are not. We should all be like Rob’s mentors to everyone we encounter, especially children, to make each person we encounter to feel anticipated, wanted, and welcomed.
Beautifully written, bless you.
What a beautiful way to start a relationship! Thank you for inviting us in today. Blessings friend!