End Of An Era

 Well I did it.  I successfully obtained the Salesforce Business Analyst cert on my 3rd attempt last weekend.   I was nervous as hell taking it but I felt more at ease as I answered the questions, feeling very confident in my choices.  Still when it came time to submit the test I was a twinge of nerves.   I pushed the button, closed my eyes, and when I opened them, I saw the four letters I longed to see.   PASS!   I was so elated and screamed for joy when I got inside my car.   The minimum passing percentage was 72%.  I got 85%.   Woo hoo!

So now that I have the certification I can begin my search for a Salesforce business analyst role.   I know it won't be easy as I hate interviewing and it took me 40 months to get my current role.    But whatever happens I'll take it in stride.   Interestingly enough my manager spoke to me briefly Friday about a potential new opportunity to specialize in a particular role within Support.  I don't know much about the details but will have to see what it entails.   It would be nice if it means I can reduce my case load but I'm sure that won't be the case.    I'm also in line to get a merit increase of 5% - 6% which will definitely be put to good use.

In other news, I received sad news from Tasha a few days ago.   Our family Pastor who served over 60 years in the Archdiocese of Detroit and was the principal priest at our Church for over 50 years, died on 02/26.   He was 92 years old, the same age my Dad was when he passed.

Our Pastor wed my parents, baptized my sisters and I, and presided over the funeral services of both of my parents.   He's done the same for many others in the community and no doubt his passing will leave a great void within the Church.

I have my own memories of him during my formative years when I worked with my Dad at our Church.  I remember there was one time when he and I went to deliver supplies to a local food bank.  This random kid around my age came up to me and asked if my Pastor was my father.   I was taken aback and I remember looking at our Pastor who gave me a smile.   I told the kid no but I felt guilty about it afterwards.   Technically he wasn't but he was our spiritual father.

I have other memories of helping him and his secretary write up some basic code to print out some letters.   Of course I remember him preaching every Sunday when the family went to Church and my time serving on the altar, first as an altar boy and then as a Minister of Service up until my mid-20's.

The funniest memory I have of him was when there was a group of us including him went up to Mackinac Island for the weekend.   I was 12 or 13 at the time and traveled by bus with my Grandma (who was really my Dad's cousin) and around 30-40 other folks.   So when it came time to decide where to sleep, it was decided that my Grandma along with another group of ladies would stay in one building.   There were several small cabins where we stayed and it was decided that I would room with our Pastor.   

So there was only one small bed in the room.  He offered up the bed to me and slept on the floor.   That was how selfless he was.  So we had to share one blanket and at some point during the night, he pulled the majority of the blanket towards him.   Later that night I must've been dreaming of home and being awaken to get ready for school.    I yelled out to Mama that I was getting up and coming to the kitchen.   I quickly woke up and didn't know if I said it out loud or not.    

Later that morning I told the Pastor that he was hogging all the covers that night.   Without missing a beat he countered back that he was awaken by me talking in my sleep.   I was so mortified at the time but it made for a funny memory soon afterwards.

Since our Pastor had such a huge impact on the community, they are allowing three days for folks to view his body before the final service on 03/10.    I was thinking of going to the service but then Tasha pointed out that there would likely be a huge crowd (including media).   So instead my sisters and I will go Friday to view his body.    As it is they plan to livestream the viewing for all three days.

I couldn't help but notice that it was just a little over six months after my Dad passed that our Pastor died.    They were born almost 12 months apart with my Dad being the older of the two.   With the passing of our Pastor, two influential men that shaped my formative years growing up are now on the other side.   It truly is an end of an era.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with the Church in the coming weeks and months.  The Church always had been controversial in the Catholic community since our Pastor allowed women to serve on the altar which at the time was a big no-no.   Also within the Church, the board of the Church tended to clash at times.   So I am curious to see who will attempt to fill our Pastor shoes.   Time will tell.