UCC Interview Info 2

Describe my family background and how that has shaped your growth and development?

(Okay, I have to wonder if they answered these questions for themselves before deciding they were good to ask. I am breaking a sweat trying to figure out how to write this stuff. It's not all sunshine and roses.)

My Dad is a (retired) United Church Minister. He began seminary when I was about two and so it's all I know of him. When I was four (and my brother, two) he was settled in rural Cape Breton, NS. Marion Bridge is what I consider to be home although I was born in Richmond Hill, ON. He was given a four point charge. I'm not sure if this did my family a service or not. Considering he was a young father, a four point charge kept him away from home a great deal. I know I missed him. I listened to him each Sunday and have a great respect for his skills as a minister, but know I will be different and I am just fine with that.

My brother was a handful as a child. I remember my Dad once sitting down with me when I was about seven and telling me that I should do what Jesus taught and turn the other cheek, and lead by example. I think that is a good thing to try to do, but for a literal little girl it had some less than positive side effects. With my brother I didn't defend myself, I let him lash out at me without repercussion, and in turn I didn't learn how to defend myself, for a long time. His boundless energy and enthusiasm is infectious. He was and still is more of an inspiration for persistence and resilience than he has ever been a pain in the butt. I take his life lessons with me too.

My Mum is one of the hardest working people I know, but did feed into my "Mary Poppins Complex" (the desire to be practically perfect in every way.) She has always wanted the best for me and from me (as well as from herself) and it can be a lot of pressure. She is talented and generous and one hundred percent heart.

My home life was everything I needed it to be. I never doubted that I was loved and valued. My brother drawing focus in the house meant that I could exercise my own freedom and grow into to person I am. I am grateful that I had the chance to do that, because I believe that without it I would have been more inclined to be a homebody and hide away. Instead, I am independent and self sufficient. Growing up in a church house has the reputation of producing saints or rebels for children. I believe I was neither, though I know I did what I could to put the right face on for the ministers family. My rebellions were small and unnoticed. I stayed out of trouble and was rewarded with more liberty than most of my friends.

Dad and Mum decided to have my brother and myself dedicated at birth to allow us to make the decision to be baptized on our own. I remember the process distinctly (We were six and eight) and I believe having to articulate at a young age who I thought Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit were and what I believed really stitched it into me. I felt so grownup. All aspects of my life had God present in them growing up. The Christian (and some Jewish) holidays I treasure are all due to how my parents framed them. I believe I was given the true message behind each holiday first and foremost with the secular as window dressing, and I am now doing all I can to pass that to my children. I have been breathing God in my whole life. Now I just need to figure out how to breath God out.

Does this answer the question?