u/Routine_Discount8364

So, I’ve started the catechism process at a small antiochian parish but it’s becoming so overwhelming I’m not sure if I want to do it and I guess I’d love to know if it’s normal. The first question is of money.

Started giving a few weeks ago (I’m just now in my 3rd month) but the priest has sort of like, been pressuring me (in front of people) Like going as far as to have me buy a book from the bookstore about tithing? And last Sunday sort of suggested that 20$/week isn’t enough? Like he asked me
If I was planning on giving 20$/week alone or more than that? Now granted, it’s a very small parish, counting me it’s maybe 10 people, but I have student loans and a bunch of other things to deal with and it feels kinda early to be asking me for more money? But I don’t know what the normal expectation is as donating goes in the Orthodox Church.

The second is the schedule. I LOVE the Sunday liturgies but the expectation is that I’m there for both the monthly vespers as well, plus biweekly meetings with the priest which is also a scheduling crunch despite the fact that I work. Is that normal? I own a business so it’s a crunch on my already tight schedule.

I dont know. Feel guilt for having these doubts.

I had ptc and ftc and had RAI plus a pretty drastic neck dissection in 2021. I’ve been in remission for almost 6 years and don’t get me wrong I’m super grateful, but you can see it in my face. Pale where I used to be tan, big dark circles. I feel like Goob from meet the Robison. I’m 26f and I already have gray hair. All my labs are fine though, which is frustrating

You'd be 23 this year. I miss you so much. You deserved to find peace. You deserved to graduate college, get married and be a dad. You'd have been a great dad. I played tennis with dad yesterday and I thought about you the whole time. I can't tell you what I wouldn't give to talk to you just one more time. I wish I was with you when it happened, even though I know for a fact you wouldn't have wanted me to see it.

C and I's relationship has never been the same since you died. It's surreal to write those words, you aren't dead in my mind. I don't have your ashes on the windowsill above my kitchen. You are on a trip to me. And I hope it's nice. I hope that in whatever happens next, you're sitting on a beach with an Arizona and George. Both of you died too violently, and too young. You were always the bridge between her and I, and neither of us know what to do now that you're gone.

A funny note though: you once made fun of me for saying that I never saw your tag anywhere. I did, it was on that table you used as a desk. I'm going to turn it into a sticker and leave it places. You also factor prominently as a recipient of letters that a character writes as they devolve. You'd think that's stupid, but you aren't around to object so I'm doing it ❤️

I miss you forever

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