This is a photo of Oscar and his two sisters, Corky and Miriam. They are "PKs"–Preacher’s Kids. This past October they attended a reunion of one of the churches their father had served. It was a wonderful day, full of reminiscences and good cheer.
My own children were PKs too. After the reunion, Oscar and I started talking about some of the advantages of being raised in a parsonage. For starters, PKs know how to meet and greet people; they can hold a conversation with virtually anyone; they learn compassion for the ill and shut-ins; and can prepare a coffee hour without blinking an eye–on very short notice. These developed qualities all serve well throughout life.
Oscar is a perfect example of this. He is wonderful at any party because he truly can talk with anyone and make that person feel special and interesting. My own girls all can throw a party without a qualm; they know how much food is required, how to get it on the table; they know how to mix with people; how to dress appropriately; how to deal with just about any situation with equanimity.
I wasn’t a PK, but I did have the advantage of social parents. They had all of these traits, too, and it does make life not only easier, but more fun.
Hope your holidays are filled with good cheer and lots of parties! (And if you get the chance, hug a PK for me.)
Barb's Blog 
Well…I\’m thinking of our preacher\’s kid right now…I don\’t know that she has mastered many of those traits yet, but she\’s only 16. There is hope yet. =)I hope that we get a decent snow this year so that I can make snow cream for my son. I think eating snow cream was so special for us because we had it so rarely…only every couple of years. Kelly
Hi Barb, Love your blog……It reminds me of mine…….I love your garden photos…….Drop me a line back, if you have a chance. Love to hear from you. I love making new blog friends….Monica
thanks for your comments, barb. i\’m getting ready to leave arkansas to drive to florida… probably tomorrow.please keep me in your prayers, and i\’ll be back on here soon. thank you. t
I know our PK\’s are wonderful young men and women. They have been through so much in the last 18 months as one of the PK\’s died in Iraq. He was a wonderul young man with wonderful dreams of being a Preacher himself. His life was cut short while saving the lives of others. We miss him but know he is at the right hand of God and know we will see him again someday. We are always keeping them and the families of the other soldiers in prayer. If you would like to read Daniels story it is all right here http://danielunger.com/.Woah
Very nice Barb, and if I haven\’t told you yet, your new profile picture is great!
Oh my…this entry really means a lot. Barb, the memories are flooding back! I\’m a PK! And it does prepare you to host dinner parties. I was cooking, serving, and cleaning up at a very young age! It was a small village so visiting preachers/musical guests always stayed at our home, the parsonage. One day I must post the story of the visiting, very esteemed, straight laced minister and the baby chicks living in our basement!
hi my name is francesco and I write from italy I passed from here and I have wanted to make a regard… I hope that you do the same on my blog if will like you! however merry christmas to you and all those that you visit my blog hi francesco
Nice story. thanks for sharing it with us. I wish I had more of those social skills. How is that new grandbaby doing? Mine sang Jingle Bells to me on the phone last night.Hugs,Pat
The PK\’s at my former church are outstanding. They are four boys–one in the Marines, the youngest now in college. We watched them grow up and always stood in awe of the effort it must have taken to have them turn out so well.On the other hand was the Presbyterian minister\’s daughter in the town where I grew up. Talk about wild!Sue
your blog about PKs made me smile..it shows the era you were raised in…PKs today probably do not have the same tendency to learn graciousness and how to be engaging as you so aptly described your husband. Social skills are a very tricky art…I attended a University party this week and observed political socialites acting like….political socialites…there is nothing like a good family party where one can siumply be themselves without all the "airs" too often found in church, business and community gatherings. I think the "how to" of being a good host or hostess is mostly about listening, laughing, and appreciating others and their interests… Who doesnt like someone who enjoys conversting with them… A very interesting topic at a time in the year when it can be observed in celebarrations many times….I am sure I will notice how people interact now that you have mentioned it..
Barb, the story is written and posted. I hope you enjoy it!:)
hello, just stopping in to say have a Merry Christmas season. lottiemae