Aside from playing catch and riding in the car, our dog Gracie enjoys taking walks more than anything. She loves the exercise, the sights, the smells. Especially the smells. But what she likes best of all is that we’re doing it together.
Again and again she smiles up at my wife Joy and me. If we absent-mindedly drop the leash, she’ll take a few steps before noticing. Then she’ll stop in her tracks, look over her shoulder, and give us an expression that says, “Really? Seriously?”
It’s as if she’s embodying my favorite Ram Dass phrase: “We’re all just walking each other home.”
You can read the rest of this essay by clicking here. It was first published as “A Long, Uneven Walk on April 16, 2021)
This is the first in a sort of best-of-Messy-Places Series that I’ll be sharing with you for the next several weeks. Your responses to previous essays as well as my sense of where many of us are spiritually and emotionally will be guiding my choices. And I would love to hear from you what your favorites have been and what you would like for me to include in the series.
New posts will begin appearing when I return from The Lambeth Conference in the mid-August. Blessings dear readers. Being in community with you means the world to me.
So, again, here’s the link to keep reading.
Absolutely true Jake!…my hubby and me are so aware of this journey ‘home’,and to read your words of wisdom does encourage me!..Have a safe journey over to our UK…Will be praying for a good and unified time with all your Anglican brothers and sisters…God Bless.x
Thanks, Dorothy! I do covet those prayers.
Must be exciting to have the Lambeth Conference to look forward to! Have a wonderful trip, and take care both of you. Btw it’s hard to remember you’re in mid-summer ~we’ve particularly yuk mid-winter weather (cold, very wet). Hard to pick favs (many are favs) but the one that’s always foremost in my mind is the kintsugi essay you recommended way back when I wanted something to share on my blog 🙂 Mending Fragile Things, April 14 2017 link: https://jakeowensby.com/2017/04/14/mending-fragile-things/
It is exciting. And sort of a stress-inducer. But Joy and I are looking forward to getting to know people from around the Communion. And speaking of summer, let me tell you! It’s hot and humid here even for me. Sorry you’re enduring wet and cold. Thanks for the mentioning a fav. I’ll have to put that one on the list. Take care and stay well
Well Jake, it’s been a while. I lost my best friend and hubby in March 2020. The Parkinson’s finally weakened him until the Lord said no more and called him home. To say I miss him is an understatement. He consumed me. Watching him grow in his love for the Lord was amazing for me. Our short journey of 13 years were the happiest years I’ve ever known. (That’s not exaggerating) Nothing is the same. I’ve move back to Natchez and built a small house behind my old house. My son and his family live in the old house. I try to fill my days with my 3 pups, my family and a few old friends. I sit in the swing on my front porch in the evenings and listen to birds nesting, watching the squirrels go home for the night and a line old owl calling..
I am a member of Christ Episcopal Church at Churchill, Miss. The oldest Episcopal Church in Miss. Father Ken Ritter is the Vicar. The perfect church for an old lady. It was a joy being one of your flock. I pray your journey will be safe and you will return refreshed and renewed.
Helen I am so sorry for your loss. His passing was a blessed release for him, but I know you miss him terribly. What a peaceful life you are now enjoying! I have to say that I miss seeing you. But I’m sure that you’ve found a wonderful home at Christ Church. Blessings friend.
Jake, I don’t know if you will remember me. You were serving at St. Marks in Jacksonville when we met. This is a great article and so true. Mine died 8 years ago and this was a comfort. I shared it with a friend who just lost his wife. I pray it blesses him. I walked with Mike for 36 years and it was a joy.
Hi Joy! It’s so very nice to hear from you after these many years. I’m so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful walk you had with Mike! And thank you for sharing this piece with a grieving friend. I do hope you brings some consolation.