Sunday, August 26, 2007

Wearing black

I've been in mourning all week. Not because of my son...the newspapers tell me there have been no deaths reported from the hurricane, so I'm assuming that includes him. And not even because of Aunt Bertha. It's because last week I was called into my bishop's office and released from my calling with the young women. Just like that. It came as quite a shock. Almost four years of a job that requires almost daily attention, and poof, I'm done.

That's how it works in our church, by the way. They don't pass around sign-up sheets for jobs. The higher-ups make decisions, with inspiration, about who should do what, and then they ask you to do it. You do have the option of saying no, and I'm frankly surprised at how many use that option. But there is no option for declining a release. Once you're done, you're done. Believe me, I considered it. "No Bishop, I'm gonna stay. I love those girls too much." Thought about it. But that would be unprecedented. And I'm not an unprecedented kind of person. Wouldn't have worked anyway. I'd be the uninvited guest at the picnic.

So I cried the rest of the day, and have moped around this week. Sure, I still have the musical keeping me busy, and I've got a wedding reception in my backyard the week after it ends (family friend, not one of mine, thank goodness), but I still feel like I have too much time on my hands. I'm sure within a few months or even days my schedule will be packed again, but in the meantime, I'll be the one wearing black.

10 comments:

Rebecca Talley said...

I can relate. I still miss Primary!

G. Parker said...

Suzanne...great blog. I know just how you feel. You should join the LDS blog ring! I think you'd like it...anyway, if you look on my blog, you'll see a spot where it says you can join. Just a thought...
Hope your son had a good bday...grin.

Suzanne Reese said...

Thanks! I'll look into it!

Unknown said...

That was my reaction when I was released as the Young Women's President. I was depressed for a couple of weeks, so I feel your pain. It does get better, I promise.

Unknown said...

Sorry - I'm back. I posted this on my blog today and thought I'd share:

"Okay, I'll admit it. Anne Bradshaw over at Not Entirely British did a really good thing and I am shamelessly borrowing from her idea of spotlighting the most amazing youth in the world. I think it is incredible what she has done and the youth that are the finalists in her contest are truly amazing. If you haven't gone to her blog yet, read about them and vote, you're going to want to do that as soon as you're done reading mine, submitting a nomination and generally recognizing that I'm the greatest blogger to ever walk the earth . . . all right, all right, you don't have to do that last part. As long as it exists in my mind I'm okay with that.

Announcing the Best Husband in the World Contest" -- please check out my blog today.

Tristi Pinkston said...

I wish all Young Women could have leaders as devoted as you are -- how blessed they've been to have you. The fact that you're depressed means you truly loved your calling and those girls.

Suzanne Reese said...

You're so nice Tristi - thank you. I do believe they gave me more than I gave them, but hopefully they could at least tell I loved them.

Anonymous said...

We love you and Miss you Suzanne! even though it's only been like... two weeks, it seems like forever!

Things just aren't the same without you!

Lots of Love

Suzanne Reese said...

Oh Megan, you sweetie - you're making me cry! (again) Thank you!

Anonymous said...

You women are whimps...When I was released from my calling as the Decaon's advisor I only went to the class three or four times to make sure the guy that replaced me was doing a good job...

And I don't even LIKE boys!