That area sounds so nice, Susie! We live near Greenville, SC and have yet to go to North Carolina. Two things keeping us from traveling much are the need for a caregiver to help and our remaining Golden Lucy, who is very skittish. It’s in my future plans, though!
I resonated so much with this, Susie. I have found solace in so many churches located in the cities I’ve visited, all over the world. I was in NYC for work several years ago just after my separation—an appellate argument in federal court. On a whim I decided to visit the historic Trinity Church on Wall Street. It was the week before Christmas and they had an evening vespers service in the small chapel. I attended with about 15 other individuals. We were definitely a motley bunch! Some people volunteered to read; others asked for prayers. It was strange and unexpected and exactly what I needed at that moment in my life. Regardless of one’s religion, I think these communal spaces can help us find a sense of wholeness and belonging. Thank you for sharing this.
I love that story, Rachel. Gives me goosebumps -just when you needed it, you found that solace. And Trinity - what a special place. I love the churches in New York. And yes, in the best of worlds, a church is a communal space where everyone is welcome, regardless...and that's so important right now. Hope you are hanging in there, Susie
So beautiful, Susie. You know how I feel about camp; it was spiritually grounding for me, safe, beautiful. I still visit it, having last been a counselor there in 1982. Everything I learned about goodness, I learned there.
Elissa, I think my last year was 1983 - boy were we lucky to have those safe, warm places...I'm hoping to go back to family camp some year. (and thank you 🩷)
Next time you are in Durham, stop by for a bagel sandwich or a pastry and a coffee at my son-in-law Isaac's Bagels, on Chapel Hill Street, not far from the Duke campus. His bagels were recently voted "best bagel in The Triangle." We'll be in Durham soon, for the birth of our first grandchild. May stop into the Duke Chapel for a moment of meditation on the circle of life.
Zora, I'm sorry we missed Isaac's Bagels! We were looking for a good bakery to stop in on our way out of town Tuesday. Oh well, next time! Congratulations on the birth of your first grandchild - so wonderful. Enjoy all your time in North Carolina!
I haven’t but I do stay in touch with a few people and have been back for campus visits when in the area. Durham has come a long way since I was there.
Lovely … thanks for taking me back to the chapel! Same experience for our family when we were on campus many, many years ago and wandered into the chapel just as the organ was being tested. Breathtaking!! But how I love the peace and sacred of the outdoors too!! Thank you for taking me to all these places—yours and my own memories too. Happy Sunday 💗 Lee
I'm so glad this brought back good memories for you, Lee! It truly is a special place. But yes, I agree with you - there's nothing like the outdoors for finding peace.Happy Sunday to you too!
Well, I loved the tour of the chapel at Duke--and the little snippet of the organ practice session! But that outdoor sanctuary at Christ Church, New Bern was really what captured me. I've been reading "Church of the Wild" by Victoria Loorz, and more recently, "The Great Search," by John Philip Newell--both about the need to find our souls not so much indoors as out.
David, thank you for mentioning Church of the Wild - I just looked that up and it definitely looks like something right up my alley. Yes, I think outdoors is truly where the strongest connection to spirit is. We are both lucky we have access to nature every day. It's so important.
Was your camp in PA, Maria? My sister went to a camp called in PA called Robin Hood, which I don't think exists anymore. One year when we went to drop her off, and I was maybe 6 or 7, I wanted to stay so badly that they almost let me. But I wound up going the other direction, to NC to Seafarer when I was 9.
That area sounds so nice, Susie! We live near Greenville, SC and have yet to go to North Carolina. Two things keeping us from traveling much are the need for a caregiver to help and our remaining Golden Lucy, who is very skittish. It’s in my future plans, though!
Hi Ethel! I hope your shoulder has healed. And I do hope you’ll get to do a little traveling!
I resonated so much with this, Susie. I have found solace in so many churches located in the cities I’ve visited, all over the world. I was in NYC for work several years ago just after my separation—an appellate argument in federal court. On a whim I decided to visit the historic Trinity Church on Wall Street. It was the week before Christmas and they had an evening vespers service in the small chapel. I attended with about 15 other individuals. We were definitely a motley bunch! Some people volunteered to read; others asked for prayers. It was strange and unexpected and exactly what I needed at that moment in my life. Regardless of one’s religion, I think these communal spaces can help us find a sense of wholeness and belonging. Thank you for sharing this.
I love that story, Rachel. Gives me goosebumps -just when you needed it, you found that solace. And Trinity - what a special place. I love the churches in New York. And yes, in the best of worlds, a church is a communal space where everyone is welcome, regardless...and that's so important right now. Hope you are hanging in there, Susie
So beautiful, Susie. You know how I feel about camp; it was spiritually grounding for me, safe, beautiful. I still visit it, having last been a counselor there in 1982. Everything I learned about goodness, I learned there.
This is a beautiful piece of writing—💗
Elissa, I think my last year was 1983 - boy were we lucky to have those safe, warm places...I'm hoping to go back to family camp some year. (and thank you 🩷)
Next time you are in Durham, stop by for a bagel sandwich or a pastry and a coffee at my son-in-law Isaac's Bagels, on Chapel Hill Street, not far from the Duke campus. His bagels were recently voted "best bagel in The Triangle." We'll be in Durham soon, for the birth of our first grandchild. May stop into the Duke Chapel for a moment of meditation on the circle of life.
Zora, I'm sorry we missed Isaac's Bagels! We were looking for a good bakery to stop in on our way out of town Tuesday. Oh well, next time! Congratulations on the birth of your first grandchild - so wonderful. Enjoy all your time in North Carolina!
Thanks for setting my Time Machine back for a moment to Duke Chapel and fried chicken and so many other memories from OMG 50 years ago!
I graduated in 1975. 50 years in the blink of an eye. 🥰
Oh my gosh, Sue, I forgot you were a Duke grad - isn't in incredibly scary how fast the time goes?! Do you ever go down for reunion?
I haven’t but I do stay in touch with a few people and have been back for campus visits when in the area. Durham has come a long way since I was there.
I think it is nicer to visit when it isn’t reunion! And wow, Durham - what an amazing transformation - and great food, too!
Lovely … thanks for taking me back to the chapel! Same experience for our family when we were on campus many, many years ago and wandered into the chapel just as the organ was being tested. Breathtaking!! But how I love the peace and sacred of the outdoors too!! Thank you for taking me to all these places—yours and my own memories too. Happy Sunday 💗 Lee
I'm so glad this brought back good memories for you, Lee! It truly is a special place. But yes, I agree with you - there's nothing like the outdoors for finding peace.Happy Sunday to you too!
Well, I loved the tour of the chapel at Duke--and the little snippet of the organ practice session! But that outdoor sanctuary at Christ Church, New Bern was really what captured me. I've been reading "Church of the Wild" by Victoria Loorz, and more recently, "The Great Search," by John Philip Newell--both about the need to find our souls not so much indoors as out.
David, thank you for mentioning Church of the Wild - I just looked that up and it definitely looks like something right up my alley. Yes, I think outdoors is truly where the strongest connection to spirit is. We are both lucky we have access to nature every day. It's so important.
Thank you. What a wonderful getaway for our minds (and literally for you). Fond memories of times gone by are so needed now.
It's true Morgan - reminders of the good stuff and the good people will help us get through all this craziness. Hope you're well!
Thank you for reminding me of the solitary peace to be found sitting on a pew in an empty church.
You are welcome, Dottie!
Camp!!!!! One day I’ll write about my camp, which sadly has been abandoned. Thanks for the organ video. The perfect sound for a Sunday morning.
Was your camp in PA, Maria? My sister went to a camp called in PA called Robin Hood, which I don't think exists anymore. One year when we went to drop her off, and I was maybe 6 or 7, I wanted to stay so badly that they almost let me. But I wound up going the other direction, to NC to Seafarer when I was 9.
It was camp Miller Hagan.
looks like it was a beautiful place