On The Road Again...

The days continue to roll by - many just as literally as that phrase implies. It's hard to imagine that just two weeks ago I was pondering just how this mini-tour of the Mid-West would progress as I boarded the plane at SeaTac. Thankfully the trip has gone better then could have ever been expected and a certainly blessed experience I think.

The highlights of the trip continue to exist in the reconnecting with college friends and family spread out over this vast part of the country. Memories are re-lived and places once visited are visited again. The past becomes a springboard for discussions of the future. Our history together is also the fertile soil out of which the relationships continue to grow. I find it sometimes sad to see how quickly time has passed, yet the future excitement of a growing family or a happy couple easily eclipses any sadness that may yet remain of times once shared.

It is hard to believe that college graduation occurred just over five years ago. Of course, returning to the school this past weekend certainly made that much apparent as I am certain none of the students who were apparently sophomores or juniors looked anything older then what I would guess as high school age...

The culmination of the trip will arise this coming weekend in Cleveland at yet another college friends wedding. It shall be a great occasion and one last opportunity of this trip to enjoy the time with college friends.

Road trips are also a good time for spending a wee bit of time (okay, maybe quite a lot of time) in thought, contemplation, meditation, and prayer. Now this doesn't go to say that the stereo isn't cranked up from time to time (or more often); rather, it would seem that the miles of interstate provide a unique backdrop for thought. Now, one would think that after nearly 3,000 miles there would be some insightful, well reasoned thought processes taking place. I regret to inform you that I don't believe I have much in that line of thought to share with you other then a few random ideas and maybe one grand scheme.

Yet, it has come to mind in recent times a few certain phrases that friends have written. One person wrote to me to continue to "grow your dreams". That seemed to me a realization of just what I was doing - was I living out my dreams or just carrying on as one would expect in today's world? It's a phrase that continues to resonate in the dark corners of my head and is slowly working it's way forward to be considered under the spotlight of the life now being lived. I had once heard it said that "a goal is just a dream with a deadline". How many people out there live out their dreams? Is it more then just a "pipe dream" to consider living out what one dreams about? Certainly it would be easier to not live out the dreams of the heart, however, would life not also become a tad less of an adventure if one did not? And so as the dreams slowly take shape in the developing solution of the imagination one ponders just how to go about living the dreams into reality.

Now, in contrast to such lofty aspirations and a rather ballooning imagination I had recently read a blog post by a friend who, with significant insight and honesty, sums up the experience of life in a Monday post as follows: "Life is an adventure we each live alone. Surrounded by people, we occasionally have the impression that we are sharing our life with others. We do share experiences; we share time, we share laughter and tears, but in the end our life, the sum of all our thoughts and experiences, are ours alone."

The gut reaction for me was to disagree with that paragraph. But, as it is considered and mulled over, I would have to say that it is a true, if not bluntly so, observation that bears a certain clarity for life's reality. Yet, I wonder if such agreement to the statement would be shared by, say, a couple who have been married for a lengthy period of time, or say a person who had spent many years in service to God. I don't mean to diminish the quote above in any way - the statement paints a photo which captures the sudden realization of a life's truth for all to consider.

And, yet I also wonder that the significance of that statement is not just captured in it's wording but within what it seems to imply (at least to me). I would contend that the significance of life in such a context then is not just within our own experiences and thoughts but rather as is also captured in those honest and open relationships with people to whom we choose to share our life with.

And so I would close here to say that the moments of life that shape and sharpen are those with which others are significantly involved - this would include God, if not moreoverly so. Of course such considerations bear obvious reason for further contemplation and, at least in my case, such should happen as the miles of road ahead provide quiet and solitude and much imagination.

Thus, it is on to Kalamazoo, Michigan from here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Tomorrow the road will provide for the final destination of Cleveland - with an estimated 3,300 miles traveled by that point I can say that I am looking forward to reaching that goal, yet do intend to fully enjoy the traveling. On the road again...