Vacation Reflections #1: Apples to Apples

In Louisville we were playing Apples to Apples with grandchildren E-12, A-11, and M-15 (initial and age). I can't remember the word on the green card that the judge put down, whether it was 'overwhelming' or 'fascinating' but I do remember the red card I submitted--'my job' meaning my 'job' in ministry.

A-ll, the judge that round, immediately discarded my card, saying rather carelessly, "Since I don't have a job this one is out." She cited a vague, unknown to me, rule that the submitted card applied to the judge and not to the one who submitted it. I protested slightly, clarifying that I thought the red card applied to the one who submitted it and not to the judge. I was obviously wrong and dropped the appeal.

As A-11 pondered her choice for the next several minutes, E-12 (male) asked, "Mamaw, what is your job?"

I replied, "I'm a minister."

"What kind of minister?"

"A minister for the church."

"What kind of church?"

"A Christian church."

"What kind of Christian church? You know there are a lot of Christian churches."

"Yes, I know," I said. "I serve the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)."

E-12 ducked his head and said, sort of under his breath, "This is awkward..."

I wanted the conversation to continue so I asked, "What do you mean? Do you want to ask me something else?" E-12 didn't respond.

Then the judge made her choice and the game continued. E-12 never approached the subject again. I wonder what awkward cognitive dissonance filled his mind. I wish we could have continued the conversation. Instead, we finished the game. M-15 won. We finished the game but the conversation with E-12 was never finished.