Peace of Mind… (blog)

The day started with a photo for my Dad – he loves “eat” signs. I was tickled to begin the day thinking about some of the photos he’d taken of “eat” signs and knowing this would make him smile.

I also had the pleasure of being joined by my friend Kathi (Antonson) Hitchings, who walked with me today. We talked about many things, including Peace, of course!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a chance to see this sculpture of seagulls, and these flowers that look like shrimp.

In the middle of the day, we stopped to take a short rest, and we had a visitor on the bus bench we were sitting on. A gentleman sat and shared about his life, his living situation, his work, and lots of other things. We didn’t get his name or a photo – he spoke continuously from the time he sat until his bus came, but I felt happy that Kathi and I had been there for him to talk to.

And, Kathi treated each of us to a bag of cherries from Arnold. It was fascinating because the first thing Arnold asked was if I’m walking every day. I hadn’t said anything about the Walk to him, yet he somehow knew to ask. So, we talked for few minutes about the Walk for PEACE, and I asked for a photo with Arnold.

Toward the end of the day, Kathi spotted these legs taking their own walk…four stories up!

Another full, rewarding and sometimes amusing day on the Walk for PEACE.

As I walked through the city, I came across many things that made me appreciate San Francisco:

• An air station for the bicyclist who finds their tire getting low
• A fence decorated with beautifully tie-dye painted locks
• A peaceful protest happening in downtown

I also came across things that made me pause and take notice:

• People sleeping on the sidewalk with the bustle of the city going on around them
• A man in a wheelchair with a sign that read “Why lie? I need money for beer.” I greeted this man and asked him if we might talk a bit. We discussed the idea of peace, and as we talked, I could smell the alcohol coming out of his pores. I was also aware of how many times he smiled during our conversation, and I asked if he feels peaceful. He answered “Of course! The rain has stopped, I have a beer and I’m talking with a lovely girl and her dog!” When we finished our conversation, I asked if I could take his picture, and he declined.

I was was quite moved by the things I saw as I made my way through the city, and decided that for the remainder of the day, I would walk in silence – allowing myself the space to feel through them.

At the top of Market Street, I took this picture in the electric windy sunshine that is San Francisco.

And as I headed into Daly City, I came across a sign that reminded me to be curious, and another sign that reminded me of a time when I was job hunting and how grateful I would have been to come across such a generous offer.

At the end of the day, I was grateful for the wind that made me feel truly awake and alive, for the conversation earlier in the day that made me decide to take some time in silence, and for the end of another full, incredible day on the Walk for PEACE.

 

My host and dear friend Annemarie Estess and I headed out early to meet another friend for coffee to begin day 37 on the Walk for PEACE. We had a lovely visit with Guryan Tighe, catching up, laughing, crying and simply being with one another.

Annemarie and I walked together for the rest of the morning, and ended up saying goodbye about 12:30.

We had a chance to talk about so many things while we walked, and to visit leisurely.

At one point, we saw this a parking lot of strollers (the photo above) outside a library, and I couldn’t resist taking a photo.

In the afternoon, I did a load of laundry and picked up a couple of things at the drug store, readying myself for continuing the Walk. I traversed some of the hills of San Francisco, which took my breath away for two reasons…the incline, and the incredible beauty of San Francisco.

Today was all about Chandler and her four legged friends. We went to Chrissy field in San Francisco, CA to participate in the “Mighty Mutt March”. The March was in Support of efforts to keep Chrissy field (along with other locations) an “off leash” dog friendly park. We (the dogs) walked wearing red bandanas, and our people acted on their best behavior. The March was fun, and we got to participate in something that meant a lot to Chandler and her buddies. For those of you who are keeping track, add 3.5 miles for this day on the Walk for PEACE.

Day 33 on the Walk for PEACE was spent in joyful celebration of two dear friends who got married in San Francisco.

Many other friends gathered together to witness and share in the moment.

Kathi and John – I am so very happy for the two of you! Congratulations!

 

The morning walk toward the Golden Gate Bridge was filled with beauty of its own – from the sunrise at my host’s house, to Sausalito’s incredible view of San Francisco across the water, to the road that took me closer with each 100 paces to the Bridge’s North entrance. Wait, not quite so fast – I had a very steep switch back type road to climb that took me under the Bridge, past the Coast Guard station and up on the West side. All good!  No, not yet…I had thirteen steps to go down, a short cross under the Bridge again, and thirteen steps to go up in order to be on the East side, where pedestrians and cyclists were making their way across. The great news is that my friends were waiting to walk across with me, and two of the guys were kind enough to carry the buggy down, then up the stairs. I glady accepted the assistance! Thanks to Fabian Müller and Chris Johnson!

While I waited for my friends to come save me from the stairs, I met Dave. Dave was interested in my shirt, and shared his experience of walking with a group of people across the country in 1982 – for nuclear disarmament.

No, this is not a repeat story. (Dave was on a walk four years before Jerry, who I introduced you to a couple of days ago).

As we walked across the Bridge, my friends Kata Müller, Fabian Müller, Chris Johnson, Amanda Livermore, Annemarie Estess and Lauri Smith brought smiles, laughs, tears and love to this first of many milestones on the Walk for PEACE.

After we crossed, we rested. Chandler got to feel the earth beneath her feet again, and love was in the air…a day like this can definitely bring out the joy in folks!

Later in the day, as we walked to supper, this lovely sidewalk carving caught my eye.

Yesterday was a day full of sensory activity. Today has been a quiet day in the home of my beautiful friend, Katherine Olivetti.

Chandler made herself at home and enjoyed time with her friend, Patch.

I slept in, took a nap, played with the “pups” and celebrated the love of people I know well, people I have recently met, and people I have yet to know.

 

 

After going outside to pack the buggy and finding an empty bag with holes in it, I realized that today would need to include a trip to a pet store to restock Chandler’s food…apparently some critter thought it would make a nice night time snack.

Shortly after the food theft discovery,  Elizabeth U and I said goodbye to each other and headed into the beauty of the day.

Before I knew it, I had received a message from Kimberly Fay Thompson, saying that she’d like to walk with me today. So, after a few  messages back and forth, Kimberly met me and we walked, talked and shared a peaceful day with one another.

At the end of the day, I spoke with this gentleman and his dog. We didn’t speak specifically about Peace, but it felt important to spend some time with him. 

At at one point, Kimberly and I passed a house that had this metal Peace sign hanging on the garage door, as well as the Peace sign at the curb above the street number as shown in the picture at the top of this blog.

And, as the day wound down, I headed toward my host’s house, I happened by these beautiful flowers – what eye candy!

Day 28 – My great host Kristine Brown sent me on my this morning, and just a few steps down the road, Elizabeth U was dropped off by her Mom to begin walking with me. As we traversed several hills, followed by an equal number of dales, we crossed from Corte Madera to Mill Valley. I just loved the succulent in this address marker. At another point, we passed an Audubon Center where Elizabeth volunteered in her youth. After a nice lunch, we walked further and at the top of the hill that I thought would take me out, this was the view. Well worth the walk! As we neared the end of our day we were both caught off guard and tickled by this little guy barking at us from the roof. And finally, these lovely Banksia. It’s been absolutely delightful for me to spend this time with Elizabeth. I hope that anybody who’s interested in walking with me will fill out the new contact form. Peace.

 

I’ve learned quite a bit as I’ve walked these past nine days. Sometimes, the lessons have come from the people I stay with or a phone conversation with a supporter. Other times, I am taught something by the people I meet along the way. And, sometimes I learn from my dog.

The folks who have hosted me have shared their homes and their families with me, they’ve cooked for me, they’ve shared their knowledge with me. I was moved by a conversation with one of the families around the dinner table, when a seventeen year old suggested that peace might be obtained through tolerance. We talked about tolerance of others, of situations and of ourselves. I have found myself returning to the thought of tolerance over and over again since that conversation. On another day, a friend offered to drive 45 minutes to pick me up (I hadn’t found housing for the night and was facing the prospect of my first night of camping) and drop me off the next morning. In my infinite wisdom, I determined that that was too much time and energy and declined the offer. When I shared this with one of the folks who helps me along the way, she suggested I look at it from my friend’s perspective. You see, it is possible that this is a way she could have given to the Walk for Peace – and I decided what was “appropriate”, thereby taking away her right to choose. It seems to me that tolerance is part of the path to peace. Another part is to let go of control and invite engagement.

On another day, I approached a man and his daughter and asked them
if they would be willing to draw a card from a special deck that I carry called 1conversation for Peace. They agreed and each drew a card. As has been the case with each person who has drawn one, the cards made each person take a deep breath and really think about their answer. One of the cards asked What makes your blood boil? How can you turn that emotion into love? The gentleman I was speaking with answered only the second question…”by being an example and treating others with loving kindness no matter how mad they make you.” Next, his daughter read her card – What music makes you feel peaceful? She responded by saying “Classical. I like classical because of all the different parts and how they sound together.” I was reminded of two things in this conversation. First, kindness in the face of adversity is peace. Second, collaboration (as in all the musicians and instruments in a symphony) creates community.

Yesterday, my dog asked on several occasions (by vocalizing), to get out of the buggy to walk. As is our routine, she walks for about a mile, I put her back in the buggy, and she rests until she’s ready to walk again. When she “talks”, I know she wants to walk. After each bout of walking, I give her water and a treat, which she happily receives. Here is where the learning comes in for me…I am best served by routinely drinking water, having small bits of sustenance at regular intervals, and by resting during the day. This routine helps me be at peace both physically and emotionally.

I am deeply grateful to all of you for teaching me about peace, tolerance, kindness, collaboration, asking for what you need, routine, peace.