june to june

In June 1987 my family and I moved to Bowling Green, KY. My dad was appointed as pastor of Broadway United Methodist Church. Then in June 1992 we moved away. I had just graduated from high school and was about to start college at the University of Evansville (Go Purple Aces! What? I don’t know.) It's nineteen years later and I have just returned to Bowling Green…in June. And once again my bedroom carpet is blue.

Now my dad is on disability retirement and we’re attending Broadway again. But this time no parsonages or salaries or fishy bowly-ness involved. We just get to go to church and worship and be part of the church family. When I was in high school the “Broadway Bunch” (our youth group/UMYF) was like a tight knit family. Brother and Sisters all. But, you know, like step brothers and sisters. We had five Jennifers and three Jasons and I think we tried to see how many “going together” variations could be made. My first kiss was with one of the Jasons in the 4th/5th grade Sunday School classrooms one night after UMYF. But I won’t tell you which one. Jen-Jen and Tiffany were my closest friends. And we’re still great friends today. I spent Sunday night with them both at Tiffany's annual fireworks bash. Along with Tiffany's husband and three sons and Jennifer's husband (another Jason-a welcomed outsider) and her 4 month old son.

Sweet memories as I think of the Broadway Bunch.
Trips in the church van which ended up stinking of Jen-Jen’s green apple Blow-Pops.
Lock-ins.
Trips to Lake Junaluska.
New Song Festival.
District events.
Camp Loucon.
Passing notes written on offering envelopes during church.
Hanging out in the church parking lot listening to Def Leppard’s Hysteria on Herron Boy's awesome car stereo.

This past Sunday I got tears in my eyes as I took it all in. My friend, Curtis, plays keyboard in the praise band. I received communion from Jenifer with one “n”. A hug from my youth director, Diane. Jen-Jen’s little sister, Sarah, is pregnant with her first child. And this Saturday one of the Jasons, “Herron-Boy”, is getting married. My friends are serving their church. The church that helped form the people we have become. Friends. Citizens. Daughters. Sons. Sisters. Brothers. Husbands. Wives. Mothers. Fathers. Followers of Christ.

To whoever said you can’t go home again…I take exception.