I feel a little conflicted about writing this. If you want to give me feedback on it, "message" me on facebook. As I write this I miss Robin and may try to contact her at her old address.
Robin was a good friend. When I met her, I thought she was a very pretty girl who seemed to have it together. She was 40ish, single, had an outstanding singing voice (including for solos at church) and helped LeAnn and I with a kids' group.
Tom went to Portugal for six and a half weeks for a cross cultural internship required with his seminary training. I could have gone along but with a four year old and a one year old, it seemed like it would be more hassle than it was worth. Robin came by often that summer and really met a loneliness need for me.
Let me say clearly that I have issues and all of my good friends do too. Thankfully, we learn to love and accept each other in spite of them.
Robin's issues started to unravel and became apparent in several ways. She had been working for a Christian man but gave him a list of grievances about her job, including needing to empty the small trash cans. She was let go. She (and her birds) stayed with some coworkers/ acquaintances of ours and she seemed upset with them because they had complained about finding some bird droppings. She stayed with us for a couple of weeks (one week or so is maximum for me in most cases now). She was a good guest overall.
She felt strongly about health food and the more I learn, the more I think she was more right about that then we were and are. One day she was upset because she had accidentally left her specially bouth "fertile " eggs at the store. It seemed humorous to us at the time. She didn't really comment or even seem too judgmental as my kids drank Koolaid and ate hot dogs and macaroni and cheese.
At the kids group, LeAnn and I tried to provide healthier snacks, partly to avoid offending her.
One night, there was a social at church. Cake and punch were served. I remember LeAnn and I standing on the steps as Robin approached from below. She "blew up" at LeAnn, questionning why healthy snacks like peanuts, juice..weren't being served at it. We were dumbfounded because LeAnn had nothing to do with th social and we told her that. I am sure I was defensive for my friend LeAnn but don't remember how I reacted.
Robin seemed cool to us after that. At least once before singing a solo at church, she gave an introduction, which seemed to be aimed at slamming us (and maybe at the pastor too).
I asked the pastor's wife if I was reading too much into it. She didn't think so and said something like "I think this is an indication tha you are being prepared for ministry". The pastor's wife was about the age I am no. I learned several tings from her (including to be yourself as a pastor's wife) and this was one of her words of wisdom.
Pat has I read this I have to laugh because I was told that same comment after a somewhat similar situation. Thanks for the encouragement as I seem to be in the position you were at that time.
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