GOODBYE NOTE

“ SO LONG, IT’S BEEN GOOD TO KNOW YA! ”

Song titles are running through our minds as we prepare to leave Long Island. While the lyrics may not be appropriate to the occasion, the titles say a lot more than we can express. “Never Can Say Goodbye” by the Jackson 5; “Don’t Forget to Remember” by the Bee Gees; “Time to Say Goodbye” by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli; “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” by Boyz II Men; and of course, the ever-popular “Good Riddance” by Green Day. In truth, all of these song titles were found on line; they have not magically popped into our minds (showing our age, maybe; had we been younger they might have!). But, we do remember the Woody Guthrie chant, “So long, it’s been good to know ya,” and we are showing our age!

Memories of your surprise “attacks” on Sunday, June 5, and Wednesday, June 15, are still fresh in our minds as the days pass so quickly in preparation for our move. We had not expected to be invited to the front of the church that Sunday, or ever to have such kind words said about us. Dan, hearing that list enumerated as you said it made us give thanks for all of those opportunities to join with so many of our parishioners for more than 40 years, as we all worked together in service for our Lord Jesus Christ. Our parish is part of the Body of Christ, with each person being a different, unique, and necessary member of the Body, too. What a privilege it has been to belong to The Church of St. Margaret in Plainview! 

It was Janice’s turn next to stir up our sentiments with the kind thoughts she expressed. Then came the gifts, for which we are very thankful. The beautiful picture of the church and bell tower will have a place of honor in our entry hall, on the wall opposite a hand-made wooden cross from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. There will be no question about where we stand in our faith. We are very grateful for this memento of the church that has been our spiritual home for the past several decades. 

You also handed Steve a gift bag which, when we opened it at home later on, stunned us with the generosity from our parish. The surprises began with a very, very generous gift card to use as we begin to furnish our new home with items not transferrable from Long Island. The surprises continued with another gift, a certificate for dinner at a restaurant near our new home in Cornelius. And so that we can attempt to replicate some of the foods eaten with our friends at St. Margaret, you included a copy of the parish cookbook published for the 50^th Anniversary – what fun it will be to choose various recipes from friends to prepare in our new kitchen! 

Wednesday, June 15, was supposed to be a monthly Lunch Bunch gathering but turned into yet another surprise, one complete with balloons, floral decorations, and many parish friends who took time out of their schedules to wish us well. More gifts – wonderfully reminiscent handmade scrapbooks full of photos and cards and remembrances that we will cherish, and a bamboo cutting board shaped to resemble the profile of Long Island to remind us of our time here. What a wonderful day, full of joy and hope for a new future! 

Being part of St. Margaret’s for as long as we have been is a great privilege. Together we parishioners have sought to know Christ better and have had the chance to make special friendships with so many people. We hope and trust that these friendships will last in spite of the miles soon to be between us. Remember, please, that telephones and emails work in two directions! Also, please remember that you will always be welcome in our new home in North Carolina.

We are deeply grateful for all the kindness expressed to us as we prepare to leave, through your words and through your gifts. St. Margaret’s will always be “our parish” even though we will find a new place to worship and serve God in a new part of His Kingdom. God, we thank You so much for the memories of this place and these people! 

Still singing? We sure are. (Italics ours). 

“So long, [beautiful people of St. Margaret’s],
it’s been [exceedingly] good to know ya!
So long, [beautiful people of St. Margaret’s],
it’s been [exceedingly] good to know ya!
So long, [beautiful people of St. Margaret’s], 
it’s been [exceedingly] good to know ya!
What a long time [we’ve called this our] home,
but we’ve gotta be [movin’] along!” 

God bless you all,

Florence & Steve