mgpcpastor's blog

So…
After a few days in Queensland on a denominational related activity, I was due to commence leave on June 26.
As is usual everyone was pretty glad that I was doing that, as I usually leave it too long to take holidays.
That morning I received the first contact in what has turned out to be my mother’s need to move into supported care.
Thankfully mum has taken up residence in a (PresCare) home in Maryborough. We have a bunch of things to work through in terms of becoming managers of her financial affairs and then proceeding to sell her house.
My wife and I were in Maryborough and Hervey Bay for a couple of weeks and having done all we thought we could to that stage prepared to come home.
The day before our departure we were given news that a nephew of ours (Margaret’s sister’s son) had died from injuries in a traffic accident. We swung down through Brisbane to see Margaret’s sister and then decided to head home anyway. As we were going to the car we got the call to say mum had been offered a place and would move in next Tuesday (two days ago now).
Not really knowing what to do, we went home.
Margaret and four of our children attended a funeral in Brisbane today, and after visiting Adelaide this weekend I’m heading back to Maryborough to see mum and do whatever I can to prepare her house for auction, probably for another week or so.

Needless to say this was not the leave that I was planning.

Today two of the elders had a coffee with me. (One of my daughters called it an ‘intervention’)
They told me they didn’t really want to see me back before the middle of September.
Basically that all the time up till now is some form of compassionate leave.
I’m not really in any frame of mind to respond to that with anything else but agreement and thanks.
Thanks too for a wonderful colleague, elders and everyone at mgpc.
I really don’t know how I’m going, except I’m not as good as I should be.
It’s not doom and gloom.
I’m very thankful for a wonderful group of people who generously and thoughtfully care for, and support me.
And I know there are lots of folk who struggle through situations like these without that level of care.
Thanks too for those of you who’ve left comments here or other places and indicated your interest and concern.
I don’t take it for granted.
And I’m very appreciative.