Passover

In as much as Passover was the night before a great journey; anticipating neither the death of children nor am I planning on stealing my mother's jewelery! But tomorrow I say goodbye to my family and turn the car East. It's been a blessing spending a few days up here, taking walks with Mom, going out for fish tacos (and amazingly good fried oysters today --ymmmm), watching the primeval herons wing their way home past a deepening sunset.

Mom with a giant chard from our vegetable garden


And a more metalic layer of sadness, goodbyes spoken and unspoken, both to people and to places, as well as to things I didn't do (kyaking, sleeping outdoors, praying, drawing coastlands, spending more quiet time outside...). It's not a pleasant feeling -- there are logical justifications, the specialness of having so much to miss, the
realization of what a gift I have had to live out here, near family and in such a beautiful place. But the heart still aches.

The car, though, is beautifully packed, shockingly organized -- compass on the dashboard, a compartmentalized holder for my water bottles, tapes, sunscreen, trash, with a container on the floor for other necessities such as Luna bars, prayer book, and a kite. In the back seat, my luggage, inflatable kayak, and Iza's orchids. In the back, our rugs from Oaxaca and our summer clothes. I have my iPod all ready with driving music (from the Eurythmics to Nusarat Fatah Ali Kahn) and with books on tape (James Earl Jones reading the Bible, the Pilgrim's Progress, a collection of Dr. King's sermons, and Ira Glass's This American Life). Jason gave me some helpful advice on my route.

Tomorrow morning, we get on the ferry from Lopez Island -- Cyndie and Gary and Annalisa Keen head south to Seattle (and points beyond), while I go straight from the ferry on U.S. Route 20, headed East. I'll be on Route 20 and 2 for most of the trip, breaking to the north to go on the Canadian side of the Great Lakes before returning to upstate N.Y. on to Massachusetts. I can hardly wait!

I'm part of a religion of wanderers and travellers -- Sarah, Miriam, Abraham, Jesus, Paul, Ruth, and so many more. It is a particular joy to join with them on my own journey, towards a destination I am so looking forward to. My "Letter of Agreement" has been sent off to Messiah, and stories already pouring in through the list serve, of people on journeys of their own, caring for parents, concern for friends, grieving deaths, preparing for the next turn in the road ahead. Blessings absolutely everywhere!