Recently I attended the ceremony inducting some folks into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. I went at the invitation of a friend, Sheri and her daughter, Averi, who drove up from North Georgia and invited Karissa and me to join them. I'd not been to one of these induction ceremonies in many years, maybe once since my induction in 1998.
To be honest, I'm not usually sure of what to expect when I walk into these kinds of events...times like this is when I really do miss another side of Paul, he was completely at ease walking into a room without any preconceptions as what to expect. I'd just "hang onto his coattail" and walk right in with him greeting everybody, most of the time making them feel much better than they did before he came into the room.
I don't do as well as Paul, so last night I wasn't having tooooo great a time until I started seeing some faces that I hadn't seen in ages...hollering with glee at some of those faces...hugging, laughing, patting on the back. Before long I was in my "glory", whatever that is, I just know I relaxed and had a barrel of fun!
You see, I realized once more that we really are better when we're with others...especially when those "others" are people you've shared some very special memories with, walked some long roads together with, dug through some difficult challenges together and then rejoicing as we made it, coming out on top.
It does make a difference when you're walking with somebody you've walked with before. Thank you, Sheri and Averi, for kinda "pushing" me to go to that event. The awards were nice....congratulations to some awesome men and women for accomplishments, but more than all of that, I felt "at home" and realized I love a lot of people.
To be honest, I'm not usually sure of what to expect when I walk into these kinds of events...times like this is when I really do miss another side of Paul, he was completely at ease walking into a room without any preconceptions as what to expect. I'd just "hang onto his coattail" and walk right in with him greeting everybody, most of the time making them feel much better than they did before he came into the room.
I don't do as well as Paul, so last night I wasn't having tooooo great a time until I started seeing some faces that I hadn't seen in ages...hollering with glee at some of those faces...hugging, laughing, patting on the back. Before long I was in my "glory", whatever that is, I just know I relaxed and had a barrel of fun!
You see, I realized once more that we really are better when we're with others...especially when those "others" are people you've shared some very special memories with, walked some long roads together with, dug through some difficult challenges together and then rejoicing as we made it, coming out on top.
It does make a difference when you're walking with somebody you've walked with before. Thank you, Sheri and Averi, for kinda "pushing" me to go to that event. The awards were nice....congratulations to some awesome men and women for accomplishments, but more than all of that, I felt "at home" and realized I love a lot of people.
Thank You Ann...I love and appreciate you so much ♥
ReplyDeleteDee
Beautifully said, Ann.
ReplyDeleteI read in a systematic theology in the '70s by a Roman Catholic named Richard McBrien that because we are made in the image of a radically social God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) that we too are radically social.
Blessings, friend!
dh