An Unexpected Journey

Sometimes our lives take unexpected turns... We might undertake an unforeseen journey...

Today, on this first day of April, spring seems to be finally in the air. A week ago today, we had so much snow on the ground, we received the gift of an unexpected picture-perfect postcard moment. Significant snow had eluded us all winter and I had given up the hope to take in such a beautiful scene. But today is entirely different. It's been sunny for the most part and definitely much warmer than it was just seven days ago...

Today is also Monday of the Easter Season, and for those who followed my entries of the last few days, you already know that Holy Week took on a special meaning and sacredness this year.

I wrote to a friend yesterday that this journey was entirely unexpected for me. I did not set out to be moved so profoundly and did not intend to fully immerse myself in the week. And yet, I was led to do so...

I wrote to another friend today that life doesn't always follow the path we have intended or planned, but it is what we do with what we are given that makes the difference. Sounds logical and easy enough to accomplish, but it never really is...

After waking up this morning, I went down to the river, and it was perfectly still. One of the maple trees still had dew on its branches, looking as if it were encrusted with jewels and diamonds. The branches appeared to be cantilevered on the dew drops in ways that defied nature. I tried to take pictures of it, but my phone camera could not capture the breathtaking sight, so you will simply have to take my word for it.

When I returned home, I found a wonderful poem by Mary Oliver awaiting for me in my inbox. It seemed to summarize some of my experiences and deep connections of the week. This poem answered some of the questions that arose in my thoughts this morning, and so I share it here for it may speak to you as well...

The Journey

One day you finally knew

what you had to do, and began

though the voices around you

kept shouting

their bad advice--

though the whole house

began to tremble

and you felt the old tug

at your ankles.

"Mend my life!"

each voice cried.

But you didn't stop.

You knew what you had to do.

though the wind pried

with its stiff fingers

at the very foundations.

though their melancholy

was terrible.

It was already late

enough, and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen

branches and stones.

But little by little,

as you left their voices behind,

the stars began to burn

through the sheets of clouds,

and there was a new voice

which you slowly

recognized as your own,

that kept you company

as you strode deeper and deeper

into the world,

determined to do

the only thing you could do--

determined to save

the only life you could save.