Early bird registration for the event on February 8th closes tomorrow. There is still normal registration for a week, which is good news. 

 

I am awash with gratitude for the generosity of presenters, and volunteers. The offerings are enticing. The workshop for building a stool is full, no surprise there, but you can do yoga with a sound bath, or jump into a conversation about what parenting looks like when the kids are taller, and smarter, and richer than you are. Something I have yet to figure out. You can garner wisdom from couples who have fallen, and gotten up after health issues, or other forces that come out of nowhere made them lose their balance. Maybe you will go exploring in the Penny Pack for treasure, or enjoy a delicious dinner catered by Green Harvest Catering. You can work on communication skills, or make an angel out of sheep's wool. 

 

Children will have their own fun with a visit from Briar Bush Nature Center, and a string of activities. The women in charge of them are pretty sweet, if you ask me. Plus, there is no charge for childcare.

 

It remains to be seen whether there will be a marriage program coming out of the pastor's office when I hang up my badge in June. The truth is, I am tired. And old. It has been a tender part of my life these past eighteen years. 

 

As I enter that phase of physical limitations in which handrails are my friend, I pray that John and I have been able to be a kind of handrail for younger couples, finding their footing. Because there were precious people willing to hold me up when I faltered.