What once was unfamiliar becomes known, and thus, comfortable. After a full month on the farm, I was ready to push on into the glorious unknown. I was sad, though, to leave new friends and my temporary home behind. Even the small caravan that had been my sleeping and personal quarters had become dear. What I initially perceived as a leaky tin can that recently had mushrooms growing around the windows, was a haven. Who wouldn’t love being able to reach all of one’s possessions without having to get out of bed? I’ve missed Whistle the Wonder Dog, who when seeing me each morning, would flop on her back at my feet, paws in the air, because she knew I’d give her a belly scratch. I’ve missed John with his super-dry sense of humor that usually caused delay-reaction laughter in me. And Rachel, too, my new good friend who was excited to hear about Vampire Land—Seattle—and took very little convincing to return to the pub in Robin Hood’s Bay with weekly folk music.
With both nostalgia and excitement, I’ve pushed through the screen of comfort into the unknown. A day and a half in York to soak up Roman, medieval, and cultural history. And then my first foray into Scotland was to the town of Stirling, home of the castle where “he who holds Stirling, holds Scotland.” The castle is currently held by Historic Scotland; I’m not sure what that says about the country. Unfortunately, the weather matched a Seattle spring day, cold, gray, and rainy. My mood matched the weather, and the bird of loneliness had come to lay some eggs in my heart. (I wish I could claim that wonderful word picture as my own, but I must give the credit to the author of one of my favorite books, Bryce Courtnay) I passed the day overwhelmed by new things and knowing that everyone I met was a stranger.
But it’s a new day today. I approach Iona, finally. The sun peeks through the gray and I’m excited once again to be riding the rails. I woke this morning having slept surprisingly well, considering the hostel was on a busy street and the dorm room held around 20 beds.
It might just be me, but it seems like there are far more strangers chatting on this train car than any other I’ve traveled on in Britain. It makes me wonder how many others voyage to Iona. Are they strangers? Or old friends seeing each other after a long absence? Maybe that will be me again someday. Once again, I head into what I don’t know. Today, though, I have the hope that comes from being called to this place, to a community that gathers under the common heraldry of heaven.
No comments:
Post a Comment