Fortnight

In just a fortnight, I Step Off on the Walk for PEACE.

A week ago Wednesday, Habitat for Humanity came for the second time… and picked up my furniture for donation. I was on my way to California at the time, but I learned from my brother-in-law that the folks who picked it up were grateful for the pieces, and indicated that they would not only be able to sell them, but that whoever purchased them would certainly enjoy them.

for the second time…

the first time, they wouldn’t take the furniture. They indicated the pieces needed to be moved out the sliding door in my living space, around the house and into the garage before they could take them. Thank goodness for my brother-in-law and a couple of strong, willing friends, we got the furniture moved.

When I was in California in January, a gentleman stopped his van next to mine (which was exactly like his), and asked me if I was interested in selling it. Mind you, I had no for sale sign on it, and I was busily working at cleaning out a storage shed I had been renting. He simply stopped and asked. I indicated that in fact I was, but not until late February. He asked me to keep in touch and let him know when I would be coming down – that he was really interested…

really interested…

resulted in us keeping in touch with one another via text message and phone between January and a week ago Friday. That morning, we met in the same place he originally stopped to ask if I wanted to sell the van, and we hugged as if we had been friends forever. After a quick check under the car and a test drive, I sold my van to this gentle hearted, funny, joyful man. What an amazing bit of synchronicity.

Last week, I had the opportunity to volunteer my time and energy to two different places, and to shift the focus to others. On Saturday, I spent the afternoon with several folks at Project Open Hand in San Francisco, CA – putting fresh spinach into small bags, sealing the bags, and placing them into crates to be put into the refrigerator. Next, we placed trail mix into small bags, and sealed them so to be ready for distribution. Then, on Monday, I headed to Sonoma, CA – to be an assistant for the first of four leadership retreats which will take place over the next 10 months. For the next 6 days, I had the great fortune to hold the space and bear witness to 23 beautiful, authentic people who have committed themselves to their leadership in the world…

leadership in the world…

I went through the leadership program I referenced above, and while the vision came to me some 20 years ago, I know that the program helped me tap into my inner strength and my desire to follow my calling to Walk for PEACE. There is a leader within each of us, and we each have the capacity to change our world as well as the world around us. One of the ways I find this to be true is by being of service to others. I have been very fortunate in my life, and for me, volunteering my time and energy is a way for me to give back.

Tonight, as I prepare for bed, I am aware of missing my little dog. She is staying with my dear friends in California while I complete the preparation for the Walk. While I would love to have her with me, the confusion and business causes her to be stressed – which she does not experience when she stays with her “other family”…

…other family

as I complete preparations for the Walk, I am acutely aware of my family and friends and their unwavering support of me, and I am grateful for my family of origin, as well as all the “other families” I have in my life. I am truly blessed.