The other REV at REVwords wants you to know that she is unremarkable. And like a Ripley’s believe it or not fact, she’s quite happy about it.
Jocelyn
Anyone who knows Jocelyn would have an array of descriptors come to mind when you think of her. Happy, kind, smart, devoted, loyal, fun, to name a few. She is a good friend. To me, she is Proverbs 31 kind of wise woman. Tenacious, industrious, successful, courageous, humble, and selfless.
Our sons would say she is their most devoted fan, often known to out shout opposing fans at their football games. You can’t but notice her cowbell and cheering. And her five grandchildren all think the world of their Gramma J. Not every grandchild has the joy of growing up close to someone who is so much fun.
She’s also known to be opinionated. Her father described her as contentious. In our first church, one of the leaders jokingly called her “bossy Jossy” after knowing her for less than an hour. That story has come up more than once in subsequent conversations.
So, why is unremarkable a good thing?
Unremarkable
Recently, we’ve have more meetings in doctors’ offices than restaurants or coffee shops.
In some cases, we don’t even need to google directions to find obscure, medical destinations. Ask her and she’ll give you an opinion on the nicest waiting rooms in the Edmonton area. Just a few months ago, we sat in a waiting room in a recently new building that occupies the block where Central Tabernacle once stood. We estimated that the doctor’s office was two stories up from where my old office was located 20 years previous.
Jocelyn is as familiar with the meaning of RAH, AHS, CT, PET, and BP, as she is with SB and YAC. (Ask her sometime over a London Fog at 2nd Cup.)
In June, Jocelyn got her results back from one of her latest PET scans. There was one word that stood out immediately to her. “Look, Bob. I’m unremarkable.”
In a world clamouring for attention, unremarkable is like a D- on a final exam. However, in a physician’s report about a test for cancer, “unremarkable” is like a high five.
Assessments
“Unremarkable” indicates no significant abnormalities, diseases, or concerning features were found during the test or examination.
Sometimes in life unremarkable is a good thing. 
However, in all other contexts, Jocelyn is remarkable. I am happy to have spent twice as much of my life with her as without her. There is no one else I’d rather do life with. There are so many things she does that have no dollar value but are priceless.
If you know Jocelyn, please join the conversation and post a comment about her below. Thank you.
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Good Morning Pastor Bob! I loved your blog about Jocelyn. Plus, I understood what all the abbreviations meant…since I have worked in healthcare for so long. I worked at The Cross Cancer Institute for 22+ years as a Dietary Technologist…where I supervised staff, was responsible for visiting my patients every day..before & after meals. Wrote the menus…before the computers came in…so that I had to have all the different diets running in my head…all day long. Supervised the beltline, to make sure all the trays sent out to the patients were accurate…according to the diet that was ordered by their doctors. Answered the calls from each nursing station about diet changes, admissions, discharges…& folks that were “on pass”….which means…they went out for the day….but, would be back. A very chaotic atmosphere…but, I thrive on chaos with my Type A personality. Because, The Cross is a teaching hospital…I trained all Dietetic interns & Dietary Technologist students to do my job. I trained all the new employees to do my job …at my desk too. I was the only one…that my manager trusted, to train the newbies. I felt proud about that. A great track record. So, when you mentioned that Jocelyn’s test came back “unremarkable”…I was elated. Jocelyn is a remarkable individual. She has a great sense of humour, she’s kind & compassionate…& indeed “priceless”. I am very fortunate ..to have met you through North Pointe Church ..17 years ago, when I started attending after my divorce. You were the Lead Pastor. Micheal Voll was the Associate Pastor at that time, he lead the Divorce Course there. And of course…I signed myself up for that course. It really helped me navigate through my own journey…a difficult time in my life. I find you remarkable too. Thank you for sharing this blog with us. Have a great weekend! ❤️
You are an early bird, Julie and first to the post every time. And each time, we learn more about your career and influence. It’s rewarding when your boss trusts you with mentoring and training others. Looks like you were in the right role to be fulfilled which is remarkable. Have a great weekend as well. See you Monday.
Jocelyn is fiercely protective of those she loves. She’s witty. She’s a prayer warrior. She’s a great listener. Her laugh is like wind chimes. She speaks the truth. She gives warm hugs. And I am blessed to have known her for over 40 years.
Well you sucked me in with this one. I couldn’t wait to read what you had to say. Haa! Haa!
I couldn’t be happier to hear she remains “unremarkable” in that context. As a student of examining behaviours, motives and actions I can tell you that from the very first time I met Jocelyn I labelled her as strong in conviction, authentic in action, and kind in temperament.
As the Beetles sang “to know her is to love her”. We had the opportunity to share our respective health journeys and I felt blessed by our connection.
She will always have a place in my heart.
Love this blog and you both.
Thanks
Sue
Good morning Pastor Bob. Thank you for your post this morning. Such good news to hear Jocelyn’s report of “unremarkable “. She is truly a remarkable godly woman and I feel very blessed to count her among my friends. She is kind, compassionate, humble and wise and has such a great sense of humor. I always look forward to our tea times together at Second Cup.
Thank you for joining the conversation, Sheila, about Jocelyn. She appreciates getting together with you for coffee.
So good to hear from you, Sue, and appropriate that your first comment at this email address is about Jocelyn. We often talk about how much you mean to us.
So good, Sherry! 40 years is a long, long time. We still remember meeting you in Lakeshore and realizing that Betty Faulkner is your sister. Grieving with you over Ray Faulkner’s passing.
Love Joc. She is a good walker and a great listener! Thanks for the friendship Joc.
She loves walking with you, among other reasons. Good pace.
When Jocelyn was the women’s pastor and in charge of Women’s Bible studies, she would lead with such grace and encouragement . She let table leaders be leaders. Her quiet words of wisdom were given in passing and available for those who were listening , but you had to be paying attention.
She never made anyone feel small or incapable . Everyone felt welcome and loved as she was easily approachable with any question.
Such a leadership is difficult to find and so missed.
We fondly remember the women like you in those Bible studies and especially the leaders who stepped out of their comfort zones to facilitate a table group. Often the leaders would go beyond their in church meeting with their group and connect during the week to deepen relationships. Those were good days.