This day, January 27,1970, at First Presbyterian Church of Holland, MI, the Rev. Bill Burd and others laid hands upon me in the rite of ordination.
A lot of water under the bridge, or over the dam, but the weight of those hands remain ...
I look back, mostly with gratitude, some regrets, memories of pain, and countless discoveries, books read, committee meetings, long days, pastoral calling, sermons preached, love given and received.
And the heart of it all, God's grace, with a giant share of that grace embodied in Donna M. Geurkink Eggebeen, who's put up with much, forgiven even more, and walked with me, and talked with me, all along the way.
With a family who made the journey with me - my dear children, and now a granddaughter ... all of whom are making the world a better place.
Would I change anything?
Why?
Because here I am ... now retired, living at Monte Vista Grove Homes and still working, of all places, Pasadena, CA - fulfilling, as best as I can, the promises I made, and honoring the trust bequeathed to me in the weight of those good hands, 54 years ago.
