And so it begins...

My bag is packed, the car is gassed up and the GPS has the address of L'Arche Erie. I am ready for my second visit to a L'Arche community, this time to the first one established in the United States: Erie, Pennsylvania. I spent some time in February at L'Arche Irenicon in Haverhill, Massachusetts, where I stayed at Gandhi House with core members Jim, Dan, Devin and Tom. Tomorrow the alarm goes off at 5 AM, and I am on my way!

This sabbatical time has three parts: education, re-creation and reflection. I will learn about the L'Arche communities through study and sharing daily life with them; re-create through rest and refreshment with family and friends; and reflect on it all, most likely well after the sabbatical time is over.


I eased into sabbatical mode this first week: choosing "re-creation" time with Ted, we boarded the Yankee Clipper (a ferry on the NY Waterway) in Weehawken and rode to Yankee Stadium by way of the Hudson and East Rivers. It was a glorious day, the stadium is a work of art, and the Yankees beat the Orioles 7-5! Mother's Day found us on our inaugural spring hike (dressed for winter) to Buttermilk Falls in Mendham. The beautiful days of this past week have made time in the garden almost easy.

I am ready for my new adventure!