When I was called as Primary (children’s Sunday school) president in October 2010, I met with the outgoing president. She was very sad to be leaving Primary.
I vowed (silently) that that wouldn’t be me. I didn’t want a big calling right then, with my husband in the bishopric and my kids being 4, 2, and 5 months and already having to struggle through Sunday meetings with little to no help because of Ryan’s responsibilities—and I was pretty stunned to be working in Primary. For perspective, my mom has had a lot of “big” callings on the ward (local) and stake (larger area, cf. diocese) level—but she never had a calling in Primary until a couple years ago. We didn’t do Primary: we did Young Women (12-18 year olds) and Relief Society (adults). Plus, couldn’t I get away from my kids for two hours a week???
Apparently, I was wrong—on all counts. Yesterday I was officially released. It was just time, apparently. The Lord had decided I was finished.
When the Bishop told me last week that I would be released this week, I was pretty shocked—surprised to be released, and surprised at how it felt to know it was coming to an end.
I wanted to stay in Primary. I wanted to be there for the funny things my children say—and they say a lot. I wanted to be there to watch all the kids learn and grow, to see the new 3-year-olds discover the fun of Primary, to stanch the constant turnover in the 30+ positions under our purview. (Ha. This never happens. We did what we could to turn over a full staff.)
When I thought about it this week, I wanted to cry. I expected to on Sunday (yesterday). I didn’t even feel the relief until half an hour before church. When Ryan called my name to stand for my vote of thanks (the custom when releasing people from positions of responsibility in the church), he expected me to cry. (I held it together just fine.)
It wasn’t a long time, but it felt like the end an era to me. It won’t be the same to go to church and not get to see my older two participating in their lessons. And I will miss it. I will miss them—most of all, my own children.
What do you know? I did love Primary.
5 replies on “The end of a short era”
I’m impressed that you found the perspective to miss it. Maybe that’s what I have to do to get released too. 😉 I was called in Oct. 2010 as YW President, my husband is in the bishopric, and we have 3 small children. I feel like I usually have it all under control, but there are definitely weeks where I think of all the time I would have home with my family if I didn’t have non-stop church commitments. Sigh. I really am working on having a positive attitude, but your post gives me hope too.
They called a woman who was 7 months pregnant to be YW Pres? Eesh, your ward must be as hard up as ours!
I have to say, I didn’t miss it until it was taken away. You know?
(Oh well. Over dinner last night, Ryan extended a new calling to me and it’s my favorite calling. Though I’ll still miss the kids, I’m excited for the new opportunity.)
I have to admit, callings like this are what I look forward to about a family ward (don’t have primary or YW in ours, ya know?)… but maybe I should just be grateful for the ‘break’ while we’ve got it? I’m sure as soon as we move into a new ward we’ll be swamped!
Sorry if I’m a little lost, but why release you if you don’t want to be released? Is it so that others get the same chance you did?
In our church, assignments (“callings”) are made based on inspiration, including releases. I don’t fully know the reasons for my release beyond that the bishop (our lay minister) felt inspired that it was another person’s turn (a specific person) for that calling.