The Bahamas ... Belize ... Tybee Island ... Pittsburgh?!
What's wrong with this picture?
I must have done something wrong. Perhaps I've committed the unpardonable sin. This is a crazy turn of events. At least the weather is good. Last night I stood on the banks of the Allegany River wishing that it was carrying me out to Sea. I was with the very famous Dr. Jim Withers and his friend Bita, a soon-to-be professional Psychiatrist. She was analyzing me.
"When you meet her," the very famous Dr. Withers had cautioned me, "act like you're a Christian. She's very Christian so don't offend her."
I have no idea how the very famous Dr. Withers got to be so very famous.
Nevertheless, I acted very Christian, didn't say any cuss words, made the sign of the cross when I met her and hugged her when we said goodbye. She even invited me back.
"Nice job," the very famous Dr. Withers said as we ran back to his car, already twenty minutes late for the meeting that I'm in Pittsburgh to attend.
He drives like a bat out of hell while reading the GPS on his I-Phone.
I pray like I've never prayed before.
We arrive at a seafood restaurant which stikes me as the epitome of irony.
As we enter, the people we are joining stand and applaud. They are from across the country, including two from Texas and you never know what to expect with Texans.
"Congratulations," exclaims the not so famous Dr. Dave Buck. He's from Texas.
I look at the very famous Dr. Withers who is looking at me. Neither of us have a clue what is going on.
"You're married," he said. "Show us the ring."
I did, explaining, "It's titanium knock-off," and can see my wife Sarah rolling her eyes as I do so. It makes me feel closer to home.
They ooh and ah, which I am not expecting.
As we sit, there are handshakes, pats on the back, hugs, and congradulatory comments. The meeting they had been having is interrupted to celebrate me being married. They ask me how Sarah is though the very famous Dr. Withers is the only one to have actually met her. My heart smiles.
The other day at Bar Church I talked about what it's like to have been dead and then be alive again. That is the truth of my life. We live ... we die ... and if we're lucky and blessed, we live again. It's a very Christian belief.
This afternoon, I'm heading south again ... back to the islands ... where my heart and home is. Where I live ... again.
