Coming off a full week that started with a funeral for a six-month old, I headed into an even fuller weekend as a spiritual director for Happening #81. 
Happening is a youth retreat led by teens for teens and as a priest I was there for support and to give some talks and lead some worship, but in a supporting role. I also got to serve alongside Griffin (pictured above at right next to her best fried, Kalyn) and to once again appreciate what a wonderful woman she is becoming. The photo here is of Griffin giving a talk called “Please Listen to What I’m Not Saying” about the masks we wear in which she pulled off layers of clothing marked with labels for masks like “artistic” and “cool” and asked people to see beyond the facade to the real person beneath.
Griffin served on the entertainment team and led games and then filled in elsewhere, helping wash feet at the foot washing, giving a talk, reading a long scripture reading (very well) at the closing service and more. I don’t know how she continues to amaze me or why it is such an ongoing revelation, but I know that Griffin is a delight to be with and a joy to watch. I know I am biased by being crazy in love with her, but I just didn’t want this amazing weekend to go unremarked.
love,
Frank (Griffin’s Papa)
You, of course, are not the only one who is so proud of the young woman that is Griffin.