Detours Done. For now....

Today I journey home. Two days sooner than planned. 

This was certainly not the planned Trans-pecos journey, but it was a journey nonetheless. 

Wisps of clouds colored the morning sky this day. Seems like a good day to fly. 

A week ago I was arriving. Only hours later the detours began. Wrenching detours. Grace detours. And in-between detours. 

Left behind sights at the airport. 

I'd like to think I'm leaving much sorrow behind. Yet I know remnants of both  sorrow and grace will forever dwell within me. 

Another sight. This one of hope. This avocado was harvested a couple of days ago. A pit planted years ago grew to be a tree. It survived the flood 6 months ago, and produced one robust avocado!

Provision. 

Traveling mercies. 

Detours on Hold

Today, so far anyway, I've not encountered what one would consider an obvious detour. Rather, this day has activities which are a result of the large detour six days ago. 

Had we journeyed to West Texas, today would be on a long slog of a drive home. 

Instead we had an early morning walk to the pocket park under a beautiful sunrise and cool temperatures. 

A brief stop at St. Mary's for Beth to tend to some parish needs, led me to take part in the Morning Prayer service. 

Later we rested in the hands of massage therapists at a nearby spa. 

Then lunch at a local restaurant, seated in a window booth with a lovely view. 

All forms of solace and rest so as to be ready for detours up ahead. 

Detours

Finding myself detoured from my original West Texas journey, I'm now in the midst of twists and turns as the days and hours are kind of jumbled between necessary work for my friend as she journeys with the family who has suffered such loss, and time carved out for time together to share some joys. 

A walk this morning in a pocket park nearby to begin this day of twists and turns. 

My friend suggested I look at all the detours found in scripture. Some were correcting the wrong path chosen by someone else, but sometimes, God put that detour in the road with His own destination in mind:

Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus detoured to Egypt on their way home from Bethlehem to Nazareth. 

Paul took lots of detours on his missionary trips. On his trip to Asia Minor, Paul detoured eastward to take advantage of better roads to reach Antioch.

Jesus detoured out of his way to Samaria where he healed ten lepers, 

All of these people set off on a particular path, probably fairly certain of their destination. But along the way God said, “Wait, I want you over here instead."

I was detoured on my trip to Marfa. I am certain there was purpose for me to take a different route this week. 

And now this morning, thinking I was settled in Beth's backyard with my Starbucks and The New York Times, 

a call came for Beth to come to the hospital where a dear older parishioner was on life support after surgery. So we hastened to the hospital, thankfully local this time. 

Another change in direction. 

Thankfully, there were no detours as we settled into pedicures after the hospital visit!

Today Delta Airlines was gracious as I called to request a detour in my itinerary to return home. I'm grateful for this. 

And now, seated on a bench at St. Mary's, I am thoughtful about how God shakes up our travel plans, often for good reasons that we could not have imagined. 

God is in the detours. 

 

A Detour

Instead of driving 7+ hours yesterday to Marathon, TX, for the beginning of my trans-pecos journey, I drove 2 hours to the world-famed Houston, TX, Medical Center, where miracles of healing sometimes happen. And where prayed-for miracles sometimes are answered in ways we don't expect. 

That's how it was this day. 

A 3 year old son of parishioners in my friend's parish drowned Saturday night. He was revived after many long minutes, then put on life support, and died last night. 

So my journey of miles west, became a journey to and from Sunday church services and trips to the medical center, over three days. where I spent my time being present for those in anguishing sorrow, rather than having a massage and dining in high style. 

Even though there was not a miracle of recovery for this boy, in dying he gave life to others through "life gifts."

There was a brief respite from being present at the hospital late afternoon on Monday. 

Monday was my friend's birthday; a milestone. A big deal. One of the reasons for the road trip. Adding another layer of disappointment. 

After many long and intense hours at the hospital, we set off to find a meal. We ended up at a new restaurant we both had wanted to try. "State of Grace."

And grace was what we found. As it was between lunch and dinner hours, we could only be seated at the bar. And only choose from a very limited menu. 

Limited in choices, but unlimited in deliciousness. Club Sodas flowed frequently. We ordered all three offerings on the off menu. 

When the bartender, Ed, heard Beth's story of such grief, and that it was her birthday, he declared he was going to take care of her. And me too.

We had wonderful conversation with Ed. We heard some of his stories. And he shared a favorite quote of Samuel Johnson. "The true measure of a man [person] is how he [they] treat someone who can do him [them] absolutely no good." A lovely way to describe what the three of us were doing this day. 

With that, birthday cakes and cupcakes and ice cream arrived. And champagne for my friend. Blessings indeed. 

A further detour took us back to the hospital after we dined,  where life everlasting began for Judah, and new life was given to others. 

Traveling mercies. 

Preparation for the Journey

Early in 2016, The New York Times ran a travel piece titled "52 Places to go in 2016".
Locations were around the world; Number 48 was MARFA, TX.

Marfa was described as: "This small town in West Texas has become a destination for those attracted to the funky and the low-key vibe that endures despite the high wattage work on view -- largely that of the late artist Donald Judd, who moved to the dusty town in the 1970's, and opened the Chinati Foundation to showcase large installations by contemporary artists."

I believe it's safe to say that I have always been attracted to the funky; and I've always been attracted to Contemporary Art.  Marfa seemed to be the place for me!

Plus, this year a new 10,000-square-foot installation by Robert Irwin will be unvelied.

PLUS, the Hotel Saint George, originally opened in 1886, opened its doors this spring after a year-and-a-half renovation, reconceived as a 55-room boutique hotel, highlighting work from local artists.

So... funky place, contemporary art, and a boutique hotel! I'm on my way!
And... a best-friend road trip across Texas, I'm ready to hit the road.

Driving west on Monday, September 26--- traveling mercies.