Memories

Memories.  Memories are strange things.  Depending on what they are, they can be wonderful and treasured, but no matter the memory, they often can't be fully shared with other people.  No matter how hard I try, I can't truly convey exactly what happened to me.  I can't share the experience completely because you weren't there.  And even if you were there, we would probably see and experience the same thing in a different way.

I recently took a vacation.  The first real vacation I think I have ever taken.  Oh, we took trips to see family every year, but for me that was not a vacation.  For me a vacation is doing something that you want to do, seeing and experiencing something new, learning and growing, relaxing, enjoying

yourself, and maybe doing absolutely nothing but absorbing the very presence of God.

I did this.  For a week, I walked the beaches of the barrier islands in North Carolina.  It was cool, sometimes windy, even rained once, but I walked none the less.  I filled my pockets with shells, took off my shoes and waded in the surf, sifted the grainy sand between my toes, felt the water sneak up and catch my pants and suddenly I was wet to the knees.  I watched the dolphins jump and play, saw fishing trawlers with the catch of the day, and I strolled on the pier.  The Sandpipers were busy

chasing the bubbles left by tiny edible critters just below the surface, the gulls darted after snacks thrown their way. The crashing of the waves against the beach, those unending waves that seem to race one another to get to the shore, to me it was all new and fascinating.  The ebb and flow of the tides, the deer that crossed my path, even the handful of people with whom I had to share "my" beach, it all created a memory that will stay in my mind for a long time.  In it all, I felt the overwhelming peace of God, the joy of life, and the incredible wonder of creation.  I can tell you all these things, but I really can't completely share them with you.  There were too many minutes, too many waves, too many sunsets.  The memories will be mine, and while you may get a glimpse, you will never see the whole picture as I saw it.

And those other memories.  The memories of time spent with old friends, making new friends, or talking to "world travelers" made me realize how very small my world is.  My "old" friends have been a part of my life for almost 50 years.  We don't see each other often because they live in Israel.  So this was a special treat.  We picked up where we left off the last time we saw each other and had some great visits.  I met new friends, also from Israel.  I celebrated Shabbat, I ate new foods, and I was literally "lost in the translation" of numerous languages spoken at the dinner table.  I met people from South Africa and Ireland.  We discussed everything: religion, politics, faith, history . . . life in

its fullest.  To say it was wild would be a total understatement.  I literally felt like I had experienced those parts of the world first hand.  I learned about England, India, Spain and Poland, even about the Appalachian Mountains in my own country.  One of my host's father worked for Prince Charles.  It was always a stimulating conversation.  My questions, their questions: so much to learn.  Memories.  I still think about those conversations and probably will for my lifetime.

And, and I gained a new confidence.  Never having navigated large airports, I had to change planes in Atlanta.  My new mantra became "ASK".  People are ever so willing to help you.  After walking a hundred miles, I pulled up my bootstraps and got on the train.  So easy.  Why did it feel so daunting before I tried it?  Am I too old for some new tricks?  Evidently there is still some ability in the old dog to learn.....thank you Lord!  And let's do this again!

Just writin' on the River Road