Day 130 The Way

 

5/11/2026

"You don't choose a live, you live it."

The Way  

 

The day after a special holiday hits me harder than the actual day. Memories are generally good ones, because I look for something good in everything, or at least I make every attempt to do so. My children are grown, living their own lives, in their chosen ways, and two of them live in different states. My younger son Daniel lives with me, so I'm no longer living alone, but that has required some adjustment on both our parts; however, it's been nice sharing meals together and going for groceries or on occasion out for a meal. Neither of us venture out on great adventures, as we both tend to be homebodies, but we each lead our own life. I haven't been able to make the trip back to New Mexico since I moved back to Virginia in late October 2021, so each year I attempt to make plans, hoping this time I will be able to make it. It has been difficult since I spent thirty-five years of my life living there, so I have acquired many friends and acquaintances through my former job. I can't really call people "acquaintances," because I make friends easily, especially when getting to know them for so many years. Clients become like family, and I hold on tightly to friendships. Sadly, I learned that many of my former clients died during the COVID epidemic and lock downs, probably from isolation. This is what happens to older people when they are shut off from contact with others. Thankfully I do maintain close contact with a few people, although I learned recently that a very close young friend had died. This has been very hard, because she was like a daughter, and her children like my grandchildren. Her mother passed away in December the year I moved here, and she was extremely close to me. I guess we never get used to these things although death is very much a part of our lives. The encouraging part is that I will see her again in heaven. Both of them.

It's very chilly here today, and it's been raining, so I must say that this weather is not conducive to happy feelings. But just like Pollyanna, we must always look for the good in every situation. The good, the pure, the lovely things of a good report; if there be any virtue, any praise, think on these things. So, this afternoon I treated myself to a movie, an old friend pulled out of storage called The Way, starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez about the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain. It was actually filmed on location with real footage as they made their way during the filming. It has been another "bucket list" dream of mine to make the pilgrimage, but so far I have found no one who is interested in hiking for whatever amount of time it takes, facing changeable weather conditions, sleeping in tents, sleeping bags or hostels along the way. The younger me would have gladly tackled this journey alone, but now I don't know if I still could muster the courage to go it alone. There are generally two seasons where the majority of people travel the roads, due in large part to the climate and weather changes. I've lived in the mountains, and it can be hot one day, and the next it can be cold and snowy. Nowadays it is the same way here in Virginia. Today it is very chilly and rainy, and yesterday it was sunny and warm. Just so we don't get another ice storm where I have to axe my way across the driveway I'll survive. I don't know if I will be able to make this dream, my pilgrimage on the Santiago, a reality or not, but this movie sure did make me think about it again, so who knows!

Yesterday, after my initial church service, I did something I hardly ever do - watch movies. Daniel gave me a movie for my collection for Mother's Day - Wonder Woman 1984, so I watched it. It was good, but I'm a Marvel fan and this was a DC movie. But even so, I don't spend much time with movies, unless they are faith based, because they don't interest me. I'd rather binge The Chosen which is playing in the living room now, just to fill the house with good things. That way when I chase down the cat, I'll glimpse a familiar scene, maybe stand there a moment or two and remember. 

Since yesterday was my day of rest, I also watched bits and pieces of Star Trek, the new movie and its sequels. They were enjoyable, predictable, and had funny parts. Sometimes I just need to laugh or just rest idly in a chair and not think. An occasional escape from reality is nice, but much reality can be seen in these movies, although they are supposed to be futuristic and positive, but sadly very little mention of God ever comes up. That's the part I can't take, as every culture, every age will always need God in control, or if not, civilization is doomed. We have so many things going on now, so many contradictions, that, honestly, when I sit here, my head swims, because it is too much to grasp.

This coming weekend in Washington DC our nation will be rededicated to the Lord, as One Nation Under God. Thousands will be gathered, and members of my prayer group, Intercessors for America, will be gathered from each State to be part of this great event. I am unable to attend in person, but I will be here, watching online and standing on the wall in prayer. Then in July there will be another event for the 250th anniversary of our nation. 

Other situations are ongoing in other parts of the nation and the world, and no one knows from minute to minute what will happen next. Sadly there are so many undercurrents in our nation alone that the ripple effect is tearing our people apart. I am very grateful for our President and those he has in his administration, as I cannot begin to imagine the huge amount of stress he has to manage on a moment by moment basis. Yet, he manages to keep things pretty well, and his staff is tremendous. God knows what He is doing, and He uses our leaders to bring order to this world. Never doubt God's hand in every circumstance, big or small. Scripture bears it out that God is in control.

So that's my day, and that's my way of living life, sharing life, and standing for life. Selah.