Published: Sept. 18, 2020
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“In the dew of little things, the heart finds its morning light and is refreshed.” – Khalil Gibran
I took a trip in July in search of the dew of little things. The trip took me into Utah and as far as Idaho, not places known for dew or any moisture to speak of this time of year. But I did experience the essence of what Gibran is speaking of. I found as the sun rose over the red and yellow ochre rocks of the Escalante, images of beauty and strength, timeless in their majesty. I found the water flows of the Fremont River giving life to peach, apricot and plum trees in an oasis called Fruita. I found the soil sculpted into ancient bizarre formations that could only be described as goblins in a vast area of geologic upheaval and weathering.
I hadn’t taken a trip by myself in a long time and found the freedom of choosing what, when, how and where every day to be freeing. Sleeping in a tent, making simple meals, hiking into remote places brought me balance and strength I had not felt in a long time. The beauty of the places I visited were astounding. How grateful I am to live near these places where so little has been destroyed by human development and industry.
Not only did I find refreshment in the nature that surrounded me, I found that, in people I encountered, they were tender and open, sharing and kind, listening and searching. It was truly astounding! A couple offered to share their campsite with me when mine was not acceptable and we spent two days talking and sharing insights that I didn’t think would have been possible. They were former Mormons, former crystal meth addicts and presently born-again Christians. I told them about Quakers historically and what we were today. They listened and I listened to them. We opened our hearts for that morning light and found refreshment!
At the end of my trip, I stayed with a long-time friend who is a nurse and has worked in the medical industry for her whole career. She has been caring for others for a long time and continues to do so. She is afraid of the virus, as we all are, but continues her work to help others. Her morning light gave me hope to continue to help others and in doing so, to find refreshment. We continue on, with what brings us the morning light, the hope, the refreshment. For after all, the sun, the stars, the rock, the water will continue on for eons without us, so let us find joy in the dew of little things!
from Kay Bordwell, Flagstaff Friends Meeting (9/14/2020)