Connecting the Dots

I began my first jobshare in 1991. Ronnie G. was the Lighthouse Bookstore manager, and she needed some surgery. To fill in for her while she was out, another volunteer, Barb H. and I, jobshared her responsibilities. I loved it! So when Ronnie came back to work, I was thrilled when I was asked to apply for a regular job there. I made it through the interview and thus began my time as Operations Manager of The Lighthouse Foundation.
I mention this today because my wonderful, gifted daughter ends her tenure at the same mission tomorrow. She has been Director of Transitional Living for the past four years, and was the intern for two summers prior to that. But her love for and involvement in the Lighthouse goes back much further.
When The Lighthouse mission began in the Richland Restaurant, on the corner of First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown property, Lorrie started a "Mother's Day Out" which I quickly joined. I believe this was Beth's first experience with The Lighthouse, at around age 4 or 5. Her connection continued as I volunteered as a reader for the blind. She was often around, tasting Judy's yummy rolls or getting underfoot in the Bookstore.
When I began working there, Beth visited my office, rang the bell with me for Salvation Army, and dressed as a clown for our Lighthouse Community Day. (Wish I could post that picture!) She loved playing "clerk" in the Bookstore and bagged an order or two for Food Bank in her early years. Then came two summers of interning, working with the Sonlight program and forming relationships with children and adults alike. These are the "dots" in her formative years that were connected when she began her ministry there full-time after college graduation.
Throughout her tenure at The Lighthouse, Beth has given her all. She went so far outside of her job description that I often wondered when she ever had time for herself!
Today was her farewell luncheon. Several of the young people whose lives she touched spoke from their hearts about all she had done for them. Words like humble, kind, and giving were used. Missing, though, was the story of the dots that were sprinkled throughout her life. Connecting them is a mother's privilege.