Family!
When I looked up the definition for this word the dictionary referred to such things as “blood relation”, “linked by common interests”, and even “staff of an office” among many others.
When I first joined the staff of TYME OUT Youth Ministry and Retreat Center in October, I had no idea what lie ahead for me. With the desire of acclimate me with the staff, Ben provided me with an opportunity to interview my colleagues. I had a variety of questions such as, “What do you like to do in your free time?”, “What is zymurgy?” (see Keith for an answer), “How is your spirituality nurtured?”, and “If you could have any one super power what would it be and why?” Their answers were both helpful and entertaining, but the two questions I got the most enlightening answers came from, “What are you expecting/hoping from me?” and “What do you most enjoy about your job?” Naturally my expectation was that I would hear statements such as, “Make sure you do your job.” “Pick up after yourself.” “Get this done early.” Instead, I heard statements similar to, “Let me know if you have any questions or how I can help.” I learned an immense and valuable message that day; uniqueness is what they bring to the table. When asking what they enjoyed most about their job I discovered what makes this “job” not a job. The resounding summative quote, “It’s the people I work with and the family we have created”.
My first few days allowed me the chance to curiously observe their personal interactions. I watched Margie and Keith make jokes back and forth that left us rolling on the floor, laughing, or even crying. Noticing how Donna, Brenda, and Margie went together for walks before having lunch. Admiring how when Ben asks, “How are you?” he’s not just asking to make conversation, but stops dead in his tracks to listen to make sure you are not just “ok”. Appreciating how on birthdays someone always gets the birthday person a card, dessert, and a present. Watching Marc’s passion of faith pouring wisdom into the retreatants about the uniqueness of the Catholic Church. How we always get a special update from Jen on the 411 of Faith Hill and Tim McGraw during our staff meetings. Personally having special conversations with Lea and Jen, or even staying up till three in the morning talking about everything from books, relationships, to what comes after life on Earth. Last but not least, who could forget our adopted staff? The “Tuesday guys” (Jim, Dave, Lou) and Sister Debbie who volunteer their time into helping us with our “hunny do” list; all with a big smile and willing hands.
“The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another’s desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck”
Every family has its moments and that is not to say that we don’t have our own unique attributes…mine being the million and one stories or random facts. Thanks for being patient with meJ When it comes down to it, we really care about one another. My favorite moment thus far on the “job” came in the form of a simple card.
You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them. ~Desmond Tutu
The great gift of family life is to be intimately acquainted with people you might never even introduce yourself to, had life not done it for you. ~Kendall Hailey, The Day I Became an Autodidact