The Path of Waiting

My dear Friends

I came back over the pond (Atlantic) safely and to Terminal 4, so avoided all the chaos. Returning has been difficult, some jet lag and trying to find a routine; last night in the middle of the night I got back to my writing.

At the end of 2004, after a very distressing period, and just before the 'call' to go to Canada, a friend gave me a little book entitled 'The Path of Waiting.' This little spiritual gem was written by Henri Nouwen, a Dutch priest, unusual and creative, who lived for a time in Toronto in a l'Arche community. Founded by Jena Vanier,in these communities able people live alongside people with physical and other disabilities.

The Path of Waiting is a whole art in itself; for me it means that the most important thing at the moment is not the 'goal' of emigration, but the consecration of my life along the way, with all the encounters, activities, gifts etc. It is the art of living in the moment, always difficult for one who was born a planner!

My elderly and very wise friend James said to me over lunch in this lovely place that he is glad that we don't know the future-it would take all the excitement out of living.

So the tension, and the challenge, remain.

Have a good Sunday, wherever you may be
Shalom from
Sister Gila