Size Seven Shoes

There comes a season every year when death rates seem to spike. At least based on my observation (not a very statistically inclined person so can't say in those terms).  From what I've noticed, it tends to be around the third quarter of the year, or the period between the second moving into the third. This sort of coincides with the timing of Ghost Month and also Halloween.  Well, in recent years, this season seems to be starting earlier and earlier. As early as this month (July), in fact.  Every year, when this season of death rolls in, I always wonder whether it will be our family's turn to be hit. Apparently, this year is one such time.  On Friday morning, we received news from foreign police authorities that my mother-in-law had passed away. She lives abroad so it was challenging on many grounds. First and foremost was us having to verify that this was genuine and not some hoax/scam. Then comes the part where we have to figure out what to do.  We are still w...

Midway through my growing years, I learned of a certain title/position known as PK. The term was new to me then, but the experience of having lived as one was certainly not.  PK stood for Pastor's Kid. And I had been one for as long as I could remember.  (Technically, I should have been called Elder's Kid since my dad was recognised as the Elder at our church rather than referred to as its Pastor. However, delving into an explanation of why that is so will result in a different sort of long story so I shall address that only later.)  To be honest, I don't think I can ever recall a moment in my life's history when my father wasn't a church leader. It feels so much a part of his DNA that you could almost say he wouldn't be himself if he wasn't at the spiritual helm in some form or another.  So I was a PK nearly all my life and it has impacted me in very profound ways. It was both good and bad.  Perhaps I should start by listing down the good stuff.  By virtue...