We do not walk alone

    There is little dispute that we live in "divided times". Seems like every time I turn on the news or glance at social media, I am reminded of these divides. Political. Religious. Class. Racial. National.  Identity. Gender. Entertainment and sports, even. 

    So...just when we needed togetherness the most, here comes the Walk for Peace. 

    Maybe you have seen the story. Not much on the national news about it, but local channels and social media are full of coverage. About 20 Buddhist monks are walking across America, from Texas to Washington, DC--about 2300 miles in 120 or so days-- to "raise awareness of peace, loving kindness, and compassion across America and the world."

    Rather than a protest, the walk is described as an exercise in mindfulness and an outpouring of love for all humans. Here is a recent post by the group on the Facebook page that tracks their progress: 

    “We do not walk alone. We walk together with every person whose heart has opened to peace, whose spirit has chosen kindness, whose daily life has become a garden where understanding grows"

   

    Mercy, compassion, and forgiveness, both for others and for oneself, are the stated focus of the monks' daily lives. 

    The theme of mindfulness, being present in the moment for yourself and for others, to honor the simple act of being alive, is a constant reminder of the shared humanity in all of us. Unsurprisingly, this message of shared values and loving kindness has struck a resonating chord in average Americans throughout the country.

    They have walked through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia. Overwhelmingly, the response has been an outpouring of love and acceptance. They have touched normal lives, normal people, with extraordinary results. Families line roads to greet them. To offer them food and clothing and support. Christian churches have opened their doors to share multifaith blessings.

    Civic leaders and law enforcement have presented pins and awards and service badges of the communities they have traveled through.

    Crowds gather at every rest stop to wonder, to ask questions, to pray together, to offer hearts and hands to these wandering strangers.

    So it was that the monks came to my hometown Christmas night.

    Not only came to little Opelika, Alabama on the night of Christmas, the holiest night in the Christian calendar. But they also came to rest for the night to my childhood church.

     Once known as Pepperell Methodist Church, it was shut down as the congregation moved away and dwindled, then recently reopened as a new Methodist congregation called The Foundry.      

     Thousands of people left their family celebrations and their warm homes to assemble in the cold December night under the flood of street lights and the warm yellow spill of light from the open doors of the church. Thousands of people hugged and prayed and joined in the celebration of peace and acceptance and understanding.

    Here is what the crowd looked like:

    

    And here is where it gets even more personal to me. Right around the corner from the church is my daughter Pam's house. The lights and noise and commotion from the huge crowd drew her attention that night, and she walked across to the old church out of curiosity.

    She hung around a while, even talked to one of the Buddhist monks.

    Pam is normally very private and reserved, but she was inspired enough to talk, to listen, to commune with him.

    What they talked about, she didn't share, but she was still profoundly affected when she called me the next day. She sent a photo someone snapped of the two together, and the illumination on her face is riveting. Inspiring. 

    With these divisions so present between us all, I am so thankful that in one shining moment, my oldest child found a shared humanity and compassion with a fellow traveler. With whom she shared a common moment of understanding and tranquility. 

           * * * * * * * 

Here's a quote I have seen many times in the past year:

    

    “If you want to hate America, watch the news. If you want to love America, drive across it.”

    Thank God for all my fellow-countrymen who are turning out to accept and reflect a message of humanity and of peace.

    Thank God for these peaceful wanderers who are everywhere inspiring us to listen and to think with heart and mind.