(photo R Densmore)
A Change of Scenery
Last year I wrote a guest post where I shared how a 3 ½ week pilgrimage to Italy did not go as planned when I got very sick my second week there. I was given some sound advice from Father Murry Bodo who tried to help me understand that perhaps God wanted to me to have an inner pilgrimage on this trip. Well, 2020 started out like any normal year but by March the lockdowns began and within a few months we all become well aware that despite our plans, the year was looking to turn out very different. It appeared it was going to be giving many of us an opportunity for an inner pilgrimage.
Slowly we watched and adjusted to a situation we had never experienced before. I held out hope for Veranda 2020 in August at Raven Ranch and was greatly disappointed when Felipe made the decision to postpone this very recent annual event until this year. (It is with fingers crossed and whispering prayers that I do hope The Oasis can happen this August.)
For my husband and I, 2020 brought some unforeseen challenges and changes. Some we had control over and some we did not. In June it was discovered that Jim had a health issue that could be very serious and just after this news, we learned that he was going to be laid off from his job of 24 years in IT. These would have been great challenges to face in a year without a pandemic!
Thankfully, after 6 weeks of waiting, the health issue turned out not to be serious or life threatening (though it will need to be addressed in the future.) The end of a 24-year job at the same company was both shocking and freeing. Unexpected, we began to explore options that a month earlier wouldn’t have crossed our mind. In August we began to explore life outside of California. Both of us having been born and raised in the state, we began to consider the unknown.
Tonight, I am writing this guest post from our new home in Prescott, Arizona. If you had told me at the beginning of 2020 that by Christmas time, we would have sold our home, Jim would no longer be working for his company, and that we would be moving out of state by the end of January, I would have bet against you! But I began to look at our journey considering the words Fr Bodo said to me back in 2018. 2020 provided Jim and I the opportunity for an inner pilgrimage with the choices we made and how we responded to all that happened, the good and the bad. Yet we also had the opportunity for an outer pilgrimage as we shifted our hometown from Ramona to Prescott.
There is value in both the inner and outer pilgrimages which I can finally see. Both can lead us to unknown places where we have the opportunity to learn more about ourselves and others. Both can also lead us to changes of inner and outer scenery and how much more are we blessed if we can not only learn to appreciate the process, but also the views, once we arrive…
Rho Densmore
SWCBC
Hola, Amiga Rho!
Such an introspective view for all of us on our “inner and outer” Pilgrimages! You’ve provided us all with a great outline of how to look into (and out of) our current state of Pilgriming. Being here now in this epicenter of (extended) family life has certainly been an opportunity to adapt to mega changes. Eight of our twelve grand children live within 5 miles of us, and in this now going on full year of pandemic life, we (Cathy and I) have taken a trip back in time with the amount of time we spend on a daily basis with those kids. They’re marvelous kids, and are providing us with a rearview look at how things have changed since our four children were all at home in the 80s and 90s. The adaptability of young people is astonishing, and encouraging. We are certainly enjoying the time spent in one another’s company.
I, too, am praying that our Vashon Camino Family can reunite this summer. And I particularly hope that you will be able to attend. Prayers for Jim’s continued good health.
Semper Fi,
PFJ
Ciao Farmer John!
It certainly has been an interesting time and how wonderful that you have been able to spend more time with your grandchildren! Not only has this benefited you and Cathy, but it has also given your grandchildren an opportunity to know you two better and that can never be replaced.
Slowing down and having less distractions has also provided the time to reflect on what is important and essential. We can go, go, go, and completely miss the blessings right in front of us. Having not been allowed to eat indoors at restaurants in CA for most of this past year, I am certainly appreciating catching up on this treat here in Arizona. 😊
I hope to see you in August! 🌺
Rho
Thank YOU Rho for your insights from your recent past.
It is very important that we remain flexible to the challenges of Life on this planet.
You and Jim have adapted well.
I Pray that Jim’s health issues will be resolved.
Inward and Outward Loves.
Thank you William!
A challenging health situation can certainly be a wake up call and help us to see what is truly important and prayers are always appreciated for Jim. His situation requires us to watch and get rechecks every 6 months. Thankfully it isn’t cancer but no all lumps and bumps are completely risk free when they are found, especially in the spinal cord like his is.
We are having more snow here is Prescott and while they aren’t in the amounts you get, I think of your snow pictures when I go for hikes now. 😊
Blessings to you and your family,
Rho
Welcome to Prescott, Rho and Jim! I trust you will build a great support community there. Thank you for the reminder that the inner pilgrimage is going on, often unnoticed due to the bright lights and loud sounds of the outer one.
The pandemic has given many of us a chance to realign our time along the way.
Hugs,
Ronaldo
Thank you Renaldo.
It has been a time of adjusting that is for sure along with the opportunity to learn and grow. All if this has been a good experience of learning to make choices in how we will respond. That is what we have control over!
The people here are so friendly and we look forward to becoming a part of and participating with the community here in Prescott.
Hugs back you you. 😊
Rho
What a year…! I once read that “Courage is to ask for what you want”, and as challenging as it was your year, it sums up your and Jim’s courage.
Best luck in the new town!
Cris
Cris,
I hadn’t thought of what we were doing as courageous. Thank you for pointing that out to me. It has been a journey with unexpected twists and turns. Hopefully it is all additional preparation for when I do the other Camino Pilgrimage one day. 😊
Camino Blessings,
Rho. 🌺