Today, I had the grand pleasure of meeting my friend Karen for a lovely meal and visit about three quarters of a mile from the house where I’ve been staying the past couple of nights. Karen and I have been friends for about 25 years, so when the opportunity presented itself for us to get together, I couldn’t resist! We spent time talking about a recent seven week trip Karen had taken in which France, Russia and Norway were among the countries she visited. As she spoke, I could feel how moving this trip was for her. We also talked about the devastation of war. Karen shared about towns and villages on her trip that had plaques with the names of people from the local communities killed in war, and how strongly the people have been impacted by the ravages of it. Karen said the places she visited need a Walk for Peace. I shared with her my desire to Walk for Peace in Europe at some point.
Just as I thought we might be going in different directions, Karen suggested calling her niece to see if she was available (with her four year old daughter, Rose) for a visit. As luck would have it, Gina and Rose were at a park on Lake Washington, and they invited us to come visit. After getting the buggy packed into Karen’s car, we headed to the park.
Little did we know, that Chandler would become a bit of a celebrity there. Children and adults alike asked about her markings, if they could pet her, how old she is, what her name is, etc. At one point, Karen and Gina were in conversation and Rose was playing in the sand, so I struck up a conversation with a woman named Emily. Emily talked about her family’s dachshund, Lily, and how much her husband loves dachshunds. She asked if we lived nearby, and I talked to her about the Walk. She got quiet for a moment, and then thanked me for taking time with her this afternoon. I told her I was happy to sit and visit with her and wished her the best. Then, as I was headed back to Karen and a Gina, Emily asked if I would take Chandler to the edge of the water and introduce her to her husband. I told her I’d be happy to. When I got to her husband, I explained that Emily had asked me to introduce Chandler, and he was thrilled. He leaned over and scratched her, saying it “was great comfort to get some dog lovin’, especially from a dachshund”. I asked if they were vacationing, and he said sort of. He explained that they were at the lake with their three kids, but that they are in Seattle because their baby son had just had a liver transplant. He said they were trying to keep things as normal as possible for the other kids under the circumstances. I was amazed. I mentioned that he and Emily were so kind and warm and welcoming and that their energy was very Peaceful in a time that I imagine she was very difficult for them. I told him that he and his wife were my teachers today, and that I would keep their son in my thoughts.
As we left the park and Karen dropped me off, I strolled the rest of the way to my hosts’ house feeling grateful for all the ways that Peace does exist in this world.