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May 26, 2006
Empty Nesters
For the last year and half Noel and I informally advised, hung out with, fed and occasionally housed "The Kids." "The Kids" primarily referred to Paigey and Yosh, our siblings, but it also included a slew of their close friends, many of whom we RA-ed in our respective reigns.
When Noel and I got married, there were a lot of different people or ministries in which we could choose to invest; we could have focused on our neighborhood, we could have picked a ministry in our church, or we could have gone out and integrated with the young Chattanooga culture.
We chose our siblings and still-student friends.
Sometimes, I wondered if that was the "easy" option. After all, we already knew them; we already loved them. They were comfortably middle-class folk, finishing a degree at a private college. And besides, they were all well-adjusted kids and well-respected on campus as leaders and ministers themselves.
Maybe that's why we picked them.
Three years ago, we were those people. And future leaders -- as well-supported and well-integrated as they may be -- need someone to take care of them, too. We tried to do for The Kids what we had longed for during the end of our undergraduate years.
We didn't always do a good job. We did not always pursue, we were not always available, and we likely did not always dispense wise advice. Still, we sure fed them a lot. We had long talks about romantic relationships, stretched friendships, and future plans. We discussed women in the church, economic development, academic freedom, race, theology, world events, politics, school policies, and culture. There were brownies or cookies when they were stressed, hot beverage or shopping dates, an available washing machine, an inviting trampoline, downloaded soccer games, and an endlessly entertaining cat. While we might not have been as close or connected as when we all lived in Carter together, The Kids occupied a huge place in our hearts.
Almost all of The Kids graduated this year, the last big batch of our close friends to finish their Covenant careers. And though many of them will be in Chattanooga next year, we will likely be in St. Louis. I have little doubt that these Kids will continue to grow into vital leaders in the church. They will change communities, affect their disciplines, minister abroad, pastor churches, and teach others. I will be outrageously proud of them.
Right now, though, I miss them.
Faith | By elissa | 02:04 PM
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Comments
the kids will miss the weichbrodts, too.
but you're always welcome to the perpetual party on 4102 St. Elmo next year.
Posted by: ryan at May 26, 2006 02:07 PM
Thanks for sharing your lives this past year--from my perspective, the Weichbrodts have proven that you can be "cool" and still live in Chattanooga when you graduate.
P.S. I'm not sure what kind of parties Casselberry plans to throw in 4102, but 4103 St. Elmo is always thumping : )
Posted by: vroeg at May 28, 2006 04:00 AM
Thanks, guys. We'll probably drop in on the party in 4103, but the ones in 4102 sound sketch.
Posted by: elissa at May 28, 2006 10:44 PM
y'all have set a good example for the rest of us when we get married in 10 or 15 years.
but seriously, i greatly appreciate how you took the time, energy, and even money to give us a place to go.
Posted by: matthew gillikin at May 30, 2006 03:04 PM
So if they were "The Kids," and y'all were effectively "The Parents," does that make me, like, "The Godfather"? Or maybe just "Uncle Jason"?
Posted by: Luther at May 30, 2006 07:38 PM
Jason, I totally called you "Uncle Jason" behind your back. :) Also, I get to hang out with your sister tomorrow which makes me happy.
Posted by: elissa at May 30, 2006 10:28 PM
