Becoming Familiar

All things Holden are beginning to feel familiar.  It takes a while to figure out who does what, where things are, why certain things are done a certain way, who you need to ask before you do certain things, etc.

When I first arrived things were a bit of a blur and I focused on what was really important – trying to learn my job.  As the weeks have gone by, I have picked up on some of the outliers that are probably just as important, but were not so obvious to me at first.

One of the very different things is that living and working here becomes very blurred.  It is hard to know when people are actually not working (taking a day off.)  And it is hard to not focus on work – I overhear that someone is coming into the Village at dinner and I jump to thinking – do I have them entered into the registration system and more importantly do I have a bed for them?

I feel very fortunate that I have made several good friends that I feel very close to in two short months.  One in particular we joke that we are sure we are sisters and one of us must have gotten switched at birth J.  I worried a bit about finding close friends – but no worries.

Great news – we actually have staff for a few weeks in the Craft Cave and the looms are ready to use – I have picked some wool to weave a rug with as soon as the loom is free.  It cooled down a bit the past two weeks so we are having great sleeping weather and it is cool enough to knit – I found some great wool yarn in the bookstore that I am making into an infinity scarf.

I had my first “out” 10 days ago and got to talk to Katie and Pat and a few friends and Skyped with Noah three times – that was the highlight of my time away.  It was fun to explore the area, do a little retail therapy, but most importantly felt good to get home to the familiar in the Village.

What I miss and what I don’t……

These past eight weeks have gone by so fast.  I have spent some time contemplating what I miss, what I don’t miss, and what I appreciate the most.  Happy July 4^th!

What I miss:

• Katie, Matt, Pat, Andrea and the boys
• Being able to pick up the phone and chat with whomever I would like 
• Skyping with Noah and family
• Going to a movie (and the buttered popcorn) 
•  Lincoln and Roscoe (Just kidding)
•  A really good quilt store 
•  Summer activities with friends and family 
•  My regular appointment with my hairdresser (looking kind of shaggy)

What I don’t miss:

•  Having my smart phone attached to me 
•  Everyone having their smart phone attached to them
• Driving/ traffic 
•  Presidential election race nonsense
• TV

What I appreciate the most:

• I can walk everywhere 
•  Eating meals with others 
•  Being part of a true community
• Making new friends
• Mountains right out of my doorstep
• Rhythm of worship

Good Courage

We are in the middle of change at Holden.  The new directors, Chuck Hoffman and Peg Carlson-Hoffman are being installed on Saturday.  Chuck and Steph Carpenter are leaving the Village after serving the past five years as directors and five years before that in a variety of positions.  We also have had several long term staff leave for new opportunities.  So lots of tears have been shed, hugs given, and hands waved as people go down the mountain.

As we say good bye, the Village sings the Song of Good Courage by Kent Gustafson.

Oh God, you have called us
to ventures where we cannot see the end.
By paths never yet taken
through perils unknown.
Give us good courage, not knowing where we go
to know that your hand is leading us
wherever we might go.

I wish each of you good courage….

I just got done reading a wonderful book, The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe.  It is a story of a mother battling cancer and her son helping her through her treatments.  I know it sounds depressing but it is really just the opposite.  They form an informal book club of two, read and trade books with each other and discuss what the books mean to them.  I now have a great reading list of their favorites.

I found in reading the book that Mary Anne Schwalbe and I have a few things in common:

•   We read very fast
•   If we can’t wait to get to the end of the book, we read the last chapter just so we can find out    the ending.
•   We have children who also love to read
•   We always are reading something.

There have been times, where I have thought I was too busy to read and I know regret that I just didn’t take the time to read more.  Holden is a great place to read for there is a bit more free time, great places to curl up and read (both indoors and out), and lots of people who also enjoy reading. 

Once again, easing into retirement …..