Wilma Strikes Again
I just found out from one of my oldest friends that my childhood church in Lake Worth, Florida, Our Savior Lutheran, was destroyed by hurricane Wilma. My first inclination was to cry. I thought this was a little odd. I haven’t gone to that church for over 20 years, and I can’t even remember the last time it crossed my mind. But I am truly sad for the loss of something that held so many memories.
I was raised Lutheran. My father insisted on this. My mother is Catholic. I’m sure my father ranted and raved, as was his way, until my mother gave in. It was usually easier to accept defeat with my father then try to fight a losing battle.
This was one of the few places I can remember us going as a family, although I’m sure my father was absent more than he was present, my parents divorcing when I was four years old.
I attended the private school that was attached to the church. I started when I was only 3 in the Jr. Kindergarten program. I went to this school until I was 9 years old. I made some friends that I still keep in touch with.
I can remember sitting in chapel on Wednesdays. The pastor yelling as us because “The Lord’s Prayer is NOT a race children!” And how many Christmas pageants was I a donkey/shepherd/choir member/angel? (Never did get to be Mary).
The church had stain glass windows all the way around depicting passages from the bible. It was especially beautiful on a sunny day when sunlight would splash a rainbow of colors onto the floor. In later years they added an enormous pipe organ. I didn’t like it. I preferred the music the way it was before….simple.
I think that the church probably wasn’t as big as I remember, but to my child’s mind it was a cathedral. It was grand and regal.
I hope that it gets rebuilt.
_______________________________________
Now on a side note – tell me what you think about this:
My childhood church - destroyed by hurricane Wilma
My hometown - ravaged by hurricane Wilma
Cancun, my vacation destination – hit by hurricane Wilma (old Wilma gets around, huh?)
Dominican Republic, my alternate vacation destination – hit by a Tropical Storm
Paris, my alternate, alternate vacation destination – riots
Mississippi Gulf Coast, my last home – destroyed by hurricane Katrina
Meridian, Mississippi, where my family lives – Category One hurricane (Katrina) hits (this NEVER happens, by the way).
This ALL happens in a span of 2 months.
So…..is someone trying to tell me something?
I was raised Lutheran. My father insisted on this. My mother is Catholic. I’m sure my father ranted and raved, as was his way, until my mother gave in. It was usually easier to accept defeat with my father then try to fight a losing battle.
This was one of the few places I can remember us going as a family, although I’m sure my father was absent more than he was present, my parents divorcing when I was four years old.
I attended the private school that was attached to the church. I started when I was only 3 in the Jr. Kindergarten program. I went to this school until I was 9 years old. I made some friends that I still keep in touch with.
I can remember sitting in chapel on Wednesdays. The pastor yelling as us because “The Lord’s Prayer is NOT a race children!” And how many Christmas pageants was I a donkey/shepherd/choir member/angel? (Never did get to be Mary).
The church had stain glass windows all the way around depicting passages from the bible. It was especially beautiful on a sunny day when sunlight would splash a rainbow of colors onto the floor. In later years they added an enormous pipe organ. I didn’t like it. I preferred the music the way it was before….simple.
I think that the church probably wasn’t as big as I remember, but to my child’s mind it was a cathedral. It was grand and regal.
I hope that it gets rebuilt.
_______________________________________
Now on a side note – tell me what you think about this:
My childhood church - destroyed by hurricane Wilma
My hometown - ravaged by hurricane Wilma
Cancun, my vacation destination – hit by hurricane Wilma (old Wilma gets around, huh?)
Dominican Republic, my alternate vacation destination – hit by a Tropical Storm
Paris, my alternate, alternate vacation destination – riots
Mississippi Gulf Coast, my last home – destroyed by hurricane Katrina
Meridian, Mississippi, where my family lives – Category One hurricane (Katrina) hits (this NEVER happens, by the way).
This ALL happens in a span of 2 months.
So…..is someone trying to tell me something?
posted by Sherri at 4:38 PM
4 Comments:
Sherri,
Evocative post...reminds me of the church I grew up in, though they'd always had a pipe organ (the church was built in 1925). Church buildings do attach themselves to many memories.
On the side note: you might consider renting yourself out to the Weather Channel as an aid to their storm chasers.
And, uh, nothing personal, but if you head for San Diego, could you give me a few days' notice?
~Kurt
The old churches are the ones that evoke memories -- the one I grew up in was literally a "shotgun house" turned church -- creaky floors and stairs to the balcony area. It was sold to the Episcopalians and moved down the road on a trailer -- funny sight if you think about it -- and replaced by a mid-70's contemporary monstrosity.
I hope not - I just hope it's a series of co-incidences.
Yes, it probably SEEMS as though someone has been trying to tell you something - wreaking havoc everywhere but your home, which interestingly, you have said you recently came to appreciate more fully. So maybe the lesson is over? Just a thought? :-)
I'm so sorry about your church. Childhood churches are like that for folks, I think. Though it was in no way convenient for me or anyone in my family, I insisted on getting married in my childhood church, the same place where my aunt and my grandmother got married. Have never regretted it.
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