““I like to think I had an out-of-body experience, but really I imagined myself being an outsider who observed the dinner conversation of holy priests. Is this where I saw myself in thirty years? Was I going to become disillusioned with the priesthood and filled with contempt for God and his people? Was I going to be miserable and lonely like these unhappy guys? Was I going to be happy in thirty years? The answer rang true and loud in my ears: This is not for me. This is not what I want. I do not see myself here in thirty years because I don’t want to be alone and miserable. Though I still had another year and a half before I left active ministry, I always remembered the questions my mind entertained that night.””
