Alan Swartz in October 1960

Alan Swartz
Originally uploaded by apswartz.

Here I am standing in the corner of my grandparent's yard. It seems to have been a favorite spot for taking pictures. In the background you see the field next to my grandparent's house and beyond that, there is the Espiegh's farm.

Alan Swartz, October 1960, home of Garold & Ida Mae Swartz, Ferguson Valley, outside of McVeytown, Pennsylvania

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Looking Back, Looking Forward

Alan Swartz
Originally uploaded by apswartz.

I am always working on my next sermon. Some of this reflection and preparation is shared on another web site I maintain. This week I am looking at the lessons for the 2nd Sunday in Lent (Year A). I am preaching in conjunction with a church-wide Lenten study Behold, the Lamb of God. My focus this week is where we are in our pilgrimage between where we have been and where we are going. The title of the lesson in the Lenten study (and the title of my sermon) is The Risk of Faith.

I was thinking about what ‘lies behind’ when I came across this photograph of myself. It is obviously taken a long time ago — around Kindergarten or 1st grade. I look into the face of that boy and I can see me — especially around the eyes and mouth and the shape of the face.

What I see (now, that I am looking into the past) is what ‘lies ahead’. Yes, now we see in a glass darkly, then we shall see face to face.

That is where I am heading for this Sunday.

Jo Anne and Alan Swartz

Jo Anne and Alan Swartz
Originally uploaded by apswartz.

This photo was taken some time during the year we got married (1978). We were probably at a dance at Cape Fear High School where Jo Anne was the Chorus teacher.

Birth place and home of Garold Swartz

Birth place and home of Garold Swartz
Originally uploaded by apswartz.

My grandfather described what it was like to grow up in a home that was essentially one room with a loft.

I asked him, "Grandpap, how did your parents keep having children in such crowded conditions?"

He thought for a moment.

Then he replied, "You know, every now and then they would lock us kids outside!"

Wow!

Faith

Faith
Originally uploaded by apswartz.

Faith doesn't like to have her picture taken. She is 14 years old, has arthritis, is going deaf, has cateracts, and moves quite slowly on cold days. Right now the days are on the warm side and she can be quite frisky, but she is still slow to respond because of the deafness and blindness. When I call her name and clap my hands I can see her looking around for me, even if I am standing within 30 yards of her in clear sight. It's sad. But she can still scratch, stink, and eat with the best of them. LOL.

Oh, she seems to be developing food allergies in her old age. We are having to be careful of what she eats.