back from Tucson for our closing weekend...

When we left Tucson yesterday morning, it was 73 F. When we got into our car at Albany Airport about 10 hours later, it was 13 F.  In so many ways that fact is illustrative of our trip at the close of my ministry. It was a warm time of reflection for me as we soaked up the sun and memories. We laughed, cried and feasted with precious friends. We walked in the quiet of the Sonoran desert. And we basked in the ever present presence of the Virgin of Guadalupe as often as possible. There is much more to say about what I discerned looking backwards over nearly 40 years of ordained ministry, but that is for another time. To note that it was refreshing and rewarding would be an understatement. What's more, I have a better sense of the beauty and fidelity we shared during our Pittsfield sojourn, too. But now I need to get the U Haul van and load up a life time of books, papers and art work in anticipation of my send-off on Sunday. Let these picture suggest the depth and breadth of our sojourn until later...