"The people are the best part." - some old guy

Facebook reminded me that two years ago today I had plastic surgery to repair my face after the dermatology surgeon took a big chunk of it out to remove a melanoma. Pam and I were both surprised; it seems like longer ago than just two years.
Not coincidentally, today I made an appointment with my dr. so I could get a referral to my dermatologist here to get my regular skin check. I need to go see the cardiologist, too. I'm overdue for a pacemaker check.
It's crazy that I've had melanoma twice, have a stent and a pacemaker, and have one of those stupid Rx caddies on the bathroom counter and am as healthy as most people half my age. Today I did 40 sit ups, 40 pushups, and ran 2.5 miles in the rain.
It probably shouldn't, but it really bugs me that I have to take meds and have this annoying pacemaker.

I miss all the trees we had removed, but it's cool to look out and watch three deer, including a fawn, walk through within 100' of our window. The fawn was very spooked because she could hear the chickens, but because she was on the north side of the coop she couldn't see them in the pen on the south side. By the time she screwed up the courage to walk very cautiously WAY around the coop her mom was well up the road and out of sight. You could tell the fawn was not liking her situation at all.

Last night I had a phone conversation with a colleague who is a mentee (I looked it up and that's a real word), and over the last 24 hours I've  had three virtual conversations with individuals who attended Pathway. Some observations as I look back on those three exchanges.

1. See the quote at the top of this page.
2. It is humbling when people reach out to this old pastor to share the stuff of their lives. Sometimes it's messy stuff, sometimes it's a great blessing, and sometimes it's just a decision that has to be made or a significant life event. I'm always a bit surprised and feel very honored that they let me into their lives through that kind of openness. 
3. No matter how old this old pastor gets, he's still a pastor, and is so to all those who were ever under his care. In addition to the conversations I mentioned at the beginning of this list I had a Facebook dialog with someone from a church I pastored 40 years ago. The feelings of pastoral care and concern for that person haven't changed a bit. My former students are still my kids, even though some of them have adult children of their own. I've told several of my former sheep that I still feel like their pastor and am ready to serve them in that capacity any time, any place. 
4. Love 'em. All.