Surrounded by mountains, shaded by ancient oaks (and shut off from cell phone service!) the joyous smiles grew broader, as a flood of stories and songs honoring the wisdom of elders burst forth.  As a part of our annual "laddership" retreat, we invited a few locals and elders to join us for a community night -- and it stirred something deep within each of us in visible and invisible ways.

Small acts of goodness were, of course, everywhere.  Someone hand wrote unique quotes for every single person in the room. Bhoutik (better known as B2 to some of us!), was sporting a tee-shirt that said: "You Are Therefore I Am", and when complimented on it by Tim -- took it off and handed it over on the spot. Lily, who was a photographer touched by Harker commencement, offered herself for this retreat -- and beyond.  Some kindred spirits spent eight long hours on the road, just to spend three short hours with the community.   It's all these, and many other, small gestures of big love that created a field of gratitude beyond words. 

Below are some of the photos from that evening:
 


During our circle of sharing, a stranger in a truck swerved into the driveway outside. He walked over the house with a beer can in one hand and peered down at our one of a kind walkway decorated with paper hearts, candles, quotes and people's footwear :) "Is this the Circle of Truth?" he asked loudly of one of the organizers outside, and without pausing to make introductions charged through the front door muttering, "I just need to say my piece, then I'll be on my way."

He burst into the room, "Keep seeking the truth and keep doing what you are doing. I love you guys," he said. The room broke into gentle, warm laughter. It absorbed and embraced the intruder and his out of the blue message without missing a beat. Richard, who was interrupted mid-sentence, even nodded a "Thank you", to this man who arrived "under the influence" (of what -- who really knows?). After saying his piece the man walked directly back to his truck and drove off into the night. We have no idea who he was.

It's hard to rationally process such things, but what's not so hard is that our open-hearted circle reflexively and effortlessly held it.  No fear, only love.

Thank you for your partnership in that kind of love, and in this journey we call ServiceSpace.