Day 6

We are in Hendersonville visiting my Uncle jim and his friend Marion. We are having a wonderful time together.

My Sabbatical sermon was about the seasons of our lives - a time to be born and die, to pluck up and plant, etc. etc

And our last two visits have been about the challenge of the change of seasons. Both Chuck's sister Janet and my Uncle Jim are at that time of discernemtn about the change. The great change as we get older is the momentous decision of whether to and when to move from our homes into a retirement community. I am listening to these people that we love and hearing how hard it is. Especially when you have lived in a home for over 20 years. What will you do with your stuff? What will happen to this home and harden which you have had such a hand in creating? And what is the most financially practical solution? A lot of hard, hard decisions.

These visits have been about remembering as we have shared stories and pictures from the past. But at the same time, for both it has been the great challenge of facing an uncertain future and wanting to make the reight decision at the right time.

At the same time, we really enjoy Marion who has now lived at "The Meadows", a retirement community in Chapel Hill for 11 years. She is very happy there and has truly made a new life.

It is instructive to watch the process of discernment as both the Tindalls and Jim Jackson make these important decisions. The next year may bring some big changes for all of them.