April 17/18, 2012: Pre-walk 3

Off to school we happily go…

Apparently Grandma Jean, Judy’s mom, used to sing these words while banging out a lively steppin’ tune on the piano to urge young Judy to happily go to school. Unfortunately, Jean’s not playing her part this morning as my anxiety grows. A conflict in schedules requires that I go to Goshen Friends today and Westtown tomorrow. However, both school appointments make me slightly anxious. Am I ready for this? Did I do my homework thoroughly? Am I dressed correctly for the occasion? What if…? Even in my 60s, the old school anxieties quickly resurface. Luckily the 6-mile walk to Goshen Friends gives me plenty of time to literally ground myself with each step I take. Arriving at the lower playground, I wonder why I even bothered to worry in the first place. Young smiling faces of 4th and 5th graders enthusiastically greet me. They listen carefully to everything I say about journeys, labyrinths, pilgrimages, Nathaniel, and my project. Their curiosity is contagious. As I unpack my backpack (finally carried one today for show ‘n tell), they just want to know. At what age does that raw exuberance to know lessen or even disappear? I hug three of Nathaniel’s former elementary teachers. There is a timeless quality about these dedicated women educators. “Teaching must definitely keep you young,” I think. “No wonder I’ve aged in the past three years since retirement.” But today, I get to feel both like a child and a teacher again. Yea! Goshen Friends remains the oasis it was when Nathaniel was there, an intimate, caring, nurturing learning environment where you still get to happily go to school, with or without musical accompaniment!

Three benches share a single purpose

During my visit to Westtown today, I unexpectedly focus on three benches: one outside the Middle School Principal’s Office, another next to the Head of School’s Office, and a third inside the Westtown Meeting House. I decide to dedicate some sitting time in all three. Let me assure you that I’m not here for any disciplinary reason, thank god, but completely of my own accord. Nathaniel so feared “The Bench” that he would probably cringe in horror imagining this activity. I confess since we shared in common that anxiety, we spent minimal time on the bench for infractions requiring higher interventions. However I have certainly done my fair share of sitting on the bench in Meetings for Worship. As I compare these three antique pieces of furniture for appearance, size and level of comfort, I realize that they actually serve a common purpose: to pull us momentarily out of imbalances in life in order to have space to recalibrate. Where would we be without those occasional tune-ups? Time out becomes tonic for the soul that has temporarily strayed from its usual state of grace. A few minutes of reflection always work wonders, provided it happens before the principal sees you or Meeting comes to an end.