Released

Three years, four secretaries, four choristers, six counselors, 96 primary teachers, an unofficially called errand-running husband, and one very big tube of Halloween M&Ms later, and I find myself back in the pool of calling-less members getting ready to jump in to a brand-new split ward (well, at least until Sunday!). Identity crisis: I am no longer the primary president.

This is bittersweet, for sure. Primary is the best place on earth. So many good, strong, fun people have poked their heads into primary for long or short periods of time on their way to the bishopric, relief society presidency, young women's presidency, etc. They've all left an impression and I'll remember these experiences forever.

By way of grand finale, we had our primary program in sacrament today, with a whopping attendance of over 400 filling both chapel overflows. My favorite part of this year's presentation was a slideshow featuring families in the ward that played in the background while the kids sang "The Family is of God." It was right at the beginning, but it should have been at the end. This was a photo album of our ward family, and the emotional impact struck home; we love them all.

I passed on the dilapidated binder today and now there is a clean, blank space on my desk where my primary bag used to sit, overflowing with papers galore. I know it will be filled with new responsibilities soon, but for just a second it feels a little empty.