Journey to the National Parks …

“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.” John Muir

My journey to the National Parks has been completed .. at least for now! During these months, I visited 16 National Parks – each with it’s own flavor and uniqueness. Each spoke to me in a very special way. I am now on the road to North Carolina where I am blessed to spend Thanksgiving with my sister and her family … then head to Riverview at the end of the month.

Yes, my goal was to see the National Parks. Yet, it was so much more. As John Muir stated … the “going out was really going in.” My personal journal reflects those insights in a particular way. Here are a few of my insights .. the gift of nature is one that we cannot take for granted. The beauty that is there today evolved over thousands, millions of years – this process of evolving is a gift for each of us. I came to appreciate the slow-moving streams as well as the rapid falls. This invited me, at this new chapter of my life, to take time to recognize the evolving nature of our lives. At times when the fog was rolling in, the vision of the future was not clear .. I need to trust in the evolving nature of our time .. trusting in the new chapter that is coming to light for me. My life in leadership evolved and gave way to our future, both in Catholic schools and in our congregation. Much more to come …

For now, the journey into the quest for wonder is pausing a bit. But, it is not the end and will open to the next phase of the journey. So, for now, this is my final post. However, my quest for wonder will continue, particularly when I walk the Camino trail. I’ll return to this blog to share with you my spiritual journey on this walk – will let you know but expect this will be in mid-April. Thank you to those who have joined me along the way. Your presence and comments have been gift to me. I also realize that the posts have been my way to record this time of my life – a wonderful gift from the IHM community that invited me to reflect on “everything that has gone before me and to recognize that I am standing on the threshold of a brand new day!” (adapted!)