May the way be clear

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see the beautiful blooming purple tree ?just when we think we know where we are going. Or when we think we understand what is ahead. Just when we think we get it… our perspective shifts and we are no longer where we thought we were. The way ahead becomes tricky. “If you don’t know where you are going-any road will get you there.”

Years ago when the kids were little we went for a hike around a retreat center that we’d visited before. It was labeled and easy hike so I put Betsy about 2 in a backpack carrier and Johnny age 4 walked beside. We went down the road and followed the path fairly well laid out. We passes a small herd of burrows who seemed menacing. We follow the path up the hill and stopped to enjoy the view and eat our snack and drink our water. The hike was listed as an easy hike about 30 minutes so I hadn’t packed a lot of water. Desert-mistake. We followed the path fine down the other side of the hill. It stopped. The path Just stopped. I put the backpack down and walked 50 yards in three different directions snd still couldn’t find the path. It was getting warmer.

In the distance I could see the telephone wires and poles that were along the road which would take us back to camp. I put Betsy in my back again and took the beach towel I’d brought along and draped it on Johnnys head to protect him from the sun. We began walking across the open sandy desert area leading to the road. It was at least three football fields away though I couldn’t completely know. Johnny must have sensed my anxiety and asked me if we were lost. Well, technically we weren’t lost. I could see where we were and a clear path to get there. We started playing word games and the walk went faster. We got about 50 yards from the road and there was a deep sand arroyo and I knew better than to get down in it as climbing up the other side could be dangerous. So we had to walk around it. There were only two houses down this road. When we got to the road I put Johnny in the backpack carrier, tied the beach towel around my waist with a large knot on the front that would help support Betsy as we walked. We started back to camp. I told Johnny. “If mommy falls down and you can’t wake her up roll her off the road and sit in the shade of the creosote bushes until Daddy came.” ( he was climbing the Mesa). Anyway after a while I got really hot so we sat down in the shade. Betsy had fallen asleep and we sat there and cooled down. Without a warning a car went by going away from camp. It was too late to stop it. I put Betsy back in the backpack and Johnny walked along. I suddenly heard the car coming from behind. Even though we could see the roof of our cabins I stopped the car, opened the door and the three of us got in and I said thanks for the ride. They took us back to camp. We three took a quick shower to cool us down and the kids got a nap. When they were asleep, I just started crying. Relief and thanksgiving

I thought I knew where I was going. I thought I understood the map. I thought I had enough water… we were ok.

Though it wasn’t where I thought it would lead us we were ok. My calves had gotten sunburned but that was ok neither of the kids were burned.

Perhaps this is why I often apply a Roberts rules of order phrase you people starting a journey. MAY THE WAY BE CLEAR. Here’s how I translate that saying. 1). May you know where you are going. 2). May that path be cleared if any obstacles. 3). May you have a good journey.

So, friends, though the current pandemic way ahead not be clear may the choices before you be clear as to where you are to go. Your decision not like rolling dice but a still small voice affirming your decisions. May obstacles be removed. May there be few bumps in the road.

Oh the purple tree above is not a tree. It is a photo taken through the underside of a hydrangea. Beautiful

God abide stay well and healthy

bobbie giltz mcgarey