Appreciation

October is Clergy Appreciation Month.  For all my clergy colleagues:  may you know appreciation, and find those who notice your particular gifts and name them, even as you do the same for others. Some congregations have a gift for true appreciation of their clergy leaders, some do not.  I have served congregations of both sorts.  For my friends and colleagues serving congregations which lack this gift, may you seek out and find people who truly see you;  may you know places of affirmation.  May you know yourself loved, year round.

With coffee

Came the realization

I made the right decision

Years ago.

It took time

A lot of time

To come to terms

With it,

To sort of settle the

What ifs

If onlys

And realize

I feel appreciated here and now,

Realize that such appreciation

Is never all or nothing.

Here

I am appreciated mostly,

And mostly

Is enough.