Traveling into the Unknown

Day by day, my departure date is getting nearer. Day by day, the pile of things in the spare room  ready to be packed is getting larger. Day by day, I am getting more and more excited about the adventure which lies ahead of me. And so I am opening my heart, opening my mind, opening my life to the incredible possibilities which lie ahead- no agenda, no expectations, no preconceptions...ready for whatever comes. What better way to travel?

Traveling from the known to the unknown requires crossing an abyss of emptiness. 
 -Dawna Markova


This is the charged, the dangerous moment, when everything must be re-examined, must be made new, when nothing at all can be taken for granted. -James Baldwin

To dwell in new spirit is to enter a complete spontaneity of direction; this is a voyage of trust imbued with passion- any destination is possible.
-John O'Donohue



       

        a new journey
        I am about
        to write my own odyssey...
        to journey into the unknown future
        armed only with my willingness
        to be captured by surprise,
        fueled only by a daring sense
        of seeking the path and purpose
        for this next chapter of my
        life's story,
        taking the tottering baby steps
        of renewing my passport,
        getting immunizations, making
        a packing list,
        all so I can make the flying leap of faith
        to Africa,
        flapping my fledgling wings and
        singing a joyous song of
        wonderment.

Getting Ready...

It's never too late to become what you might have been. -George Eliot

wrinkles

My new passport photo

brought reality home-

I am far closer to seventy
than sixty and look
years older than the original
taken ten years ago.
 What I notice most is
wrinkles- no longer simply
laugh-lines, they are etched
deeply, permanently, in
cheeks and neck, each
furrow created by the
stresses & challenges of what
my life has been.

They are less noticeable if I
don't smile...but why in
the world would I take the
somber path when I can
celebrate with joy, laughter-
and occasional tears- just
how far I've come?

And now, it seems, now
is the time for a new
journey, a new challenge,
as I prepare to head out in

new directions, unwilling

to be limited by age, but

in fact cherishing the accrued

wisdom which has brought me

to this place- a new wrinkle

in the multi-colored fabric

of my life.