It's a sad day

Well, this morning was a very emotional morning. Pastor Dale, our senior pastor, preached his last sermon at church to begin his retirement. I hate days like this. I controlled myself pretty well, until Pastor Peter (who left last summer and returned this morning) got up to say a few words. Then Pastor Dale went on to preach on John 3:16 - talking about significant loves. He proceeded to talk about all the people he wanted to thank - starting with his parents, former churches and going on to his children, then their spouses and finally his wife. Well, I knew once he got to his family, it would be all over. (it didn't help that I could see the people in front of me, wiping their eyes) Then I get myself under control again and we have communion. I see Pastor Peter serving to Pastor Dale and I start thinking - this is his last time here. I shouldn' t even think! Once more I control myself until they call him and his wife to the front. I see both of them getting tears in their eyes and I proceed to lose control again. Now that I'm home, my eyes are still sore. Hopefully, 2 weeks from now will be a lot happier when we install our new preacher of congregational life, to replace Pastor Peter.