Today was world labyrinth day. The Labyrinth Society invited people to "Walk as One at 1, joining others around the world to create a wave of peaceful energy across the time zones." Since I was part of a funeral at that time today, and because it was 90 degrees when I made the plans for our walk two weeks ago, I had decided that our group would walk at 7pm, thinking it would be cool and that we would catch the sunset. Instead of a 90 degree day, the temperature barely got into the 60's and was mostly overcast with some drizzle - until about 6:30pm when the sun came out and the clouds blew away. Jan and I bundled up in turtle necks and sweatshirts and headed out after the Derby to Eastern State Hospital for our walk.
Peace before us, peace behind us,
peace under our feet.
Peace within us, peace over us,
let all around us be peace.
I prayed for peace in the Middle East and Syria and North Korea and for the President of the U.S. I prayed for peace for all those who are using drugs in an attempt to find peace. I prayed for peace for the residents and caregivers at Eastern State Hospital. I prayed for peace for our country and the world. I prayed for the Navajo people and the water protectors.
As I walked I saw mockingbirds and robins, blue birds and crows. The waning moon ducked in and out of clouds wisps. About halfway through the walk, A mass of clouds passed quickly over our heads, and I thought I felt a drop of rain. The light of the sinking sun turned them golden/orange. I wondered if we were going to have a little rain shower.
On the way out, I was on one of the outer loops of the labyrinth when I looked up and saw a rainbow stretching from horizon to horizon. I halted and broke into a smile. I caught Jan's eye and pointed. Another one of our group turned to see what we were looking at and stopped to gaze at the bow that had doubled in sections. I kept grinning as I rapidly deleted photos on in my phone in order to add a few more. The rainbow remained for most of the rest of my walk. I looked over and saw the three who had finished before me sitting on the cinder block wall, their heads turned toward the bow, mesmerized. The rainbow is such a symbol of hope. Walking the labyrinth on this world labyrinth day and seeing the bow of many colors arching over us, I felt peace washing through me. Thanks, God, for the reminder of who is in charge. Thanks for turning the walk for peace into the walk of hope.
