"We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual being on a human journey." -Stephen Covey
I was in a car accident on Wednesday. I was just thinking that this had been a pretty good morning. The volunteer team I work with was recognized by the staff council and a team meeting with Sam's teachers had me jealous: Sam has a great team of teachers and even more, we were all reveling in Sam's good work and how much he's grown in the past year. Yes, his height is impressive, but even more awesome is to witness his development into a bright, responsible (but still goofy) young man. He's at the great age where in one moment he's a young adult in cahoots with the joke, and the next he's on the floor with his little brother in full play mode. (And, in full disclosure, he's still a big brother subject to being annoyed by his little brother - which is a requirement for all siblings: To annoy and be annoyed.)
I'm running a few things through my head. Need to make some decisions. And then - construction cones, one lane and tail lights. Stop, look up and see the person behind me is not going to be able to. The force of two cars hitting mine pushes me into the back of the car ahead of me. My car took all the force - being tipped down from my stop had my hood pop right up and pushed in the radiator. Repairable but expensive.
I took a minute to let the first shakes rattle through. The fourth car left the scene, leaving three of us to assess the damages. We had all pulled into the closed lane, stepped out of our vehicles and asked to make sure everyone was okay. All of our separate little worlds just stopped. No 12:30 appointment.
And we made our calls, got our papers, and we all sat together. Not really speaking - but we sat together. 3 soft and squishy little people with our big, bent up cars, and waited for the police to take the report. We talked a little, joked a little. But I was just struck by how of all places, we chose to sit and comfort each other. Mostly quiet and being present - well, probably thinking of everything. Strange. Reassuring in that little moment before all the insurance companies and the distraction of repairs and decisions.
The officer commented how calm I was - I guess because my car looked the worst, I was supposed to be the most upset. Most important, everyone was okay. This can all be figured out. Not every crisis gives us so many options.
I work with students - often times when they are in crisis. Oftentimes a broken heart, a destroyed faith. I get to be a lighthouse when they are navigating a storm - not the destination, but a reference point. There's a few students working through some pretty tough passages right now. And I learn with them. And it's sacred space.
But, it's all sacred space.
So, here I'm going to talk as I can about this human journey - mine. Observations. Marveling. Criticizing. And hopefully paying attention to it.
