Author: alwaysbridging

Family member and friend, jolly Christian mystic, Psychologist and Writer

Scotland 2022

Day 3

We made it to Iona on this, the third anniversary of Rob’s surgery for bladder cancer. He is well now. Thank God.

I miss Rob AND I am very grateful, over-the-top grateful, simultaneously.

This is my home-away-from-home, a B & B down the lane from the hotel where we share our meals and where most of the others are staying.

Scotland 2022

Day 2

I signed up for this trip from the wait list and learned I had a space to travel in late April. For this reason, I flew to Glasgow

(pronounced Glaz-go, by Londoners at least) on a later flight than the others.

That meant I had a longer layover in London.

To think this multi-faith prayer space was directly on my route in the giant Heathrow airport while I waited. People like me feel lonely here every day; they get lost…and found.

I took off my shoes and joined the pray-ers, welcoming their quiet company.

Scotland 2022

Day 1

It takes several traveling legs to get to the island of Iona in Scotland. I started the trek with others from my church today.

My morning question for this pilgrimage is,“Why am I here?” My evening question is,

“What were the gifts?”

In the 11th hour of packing, it occurred to me that I could take along the tiniest stone hearts from the collection I used before I retired, when I counseled kids and their parents. I imagine I will leave a few on the beach as I pray—for the friend who’s waiting for biopsy results, and another one who is suffering complications after surgery. For Rob’s dear brother. For my elderly mother.

Can I offer part of my heart for you too?