Final Thoughts

I can’t believe the summer is already over. On the one hand, it seems like I just got here, but on the other, like I’ve been here forever. The strangeness and confusion I experienced during my first few days are long gone, but at the same time I can hardly believe it’s actually been 74 days. So I decided to look back and see what I’ve actually done in the past 2 ½ months.

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          I read. A lot. Specifically:

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o   Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf

o   Goat Song, Brad Kessler

o   Gilead, Marilynne Robinson

o   To the Lighthouse, Virginia Woolf

o   The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery

o   The Wild Man’s Journey, Richard Rohr and Joseph Martos

o   Home, Marilynne Robinson

o   The Hours, Michael Cunningham

o   Arcadia, Tom Stoppard

o   The Crucible, Arthur Miller

o   Seeking God, Esther de Waal

-          I got a house, roommates and [still finalizing details but] a job halfway across the country

-          I registered to vote

-          I learned the names of 31 goats

-          I memorized Compline, the night office

-          I planted and harvested squash (I do not take any credit at all for growing it)

-          I helped catalog and label over 1,000 books in the convent library

That was more than I expected, when I started thinking about it.

But, more importantly, I learned about patience, wisdom, and growing slowly in relationship with another. I learned (at least I really, really, tried) what it’s like to be, even if it’s just for a few minutes. I learned what it’s like not to rush headlong into a friendship. I learned what it’s like to give the gift of time. I learned what it’s like to get to know someone by living with her, not by trying to become best friends. And I learned that sometimes, when you do that, you end up becoming pretty darn good friends anyway.

And, I learned how much a goat can grow in 74 days.

I'm going to miss the Sisters, and the goats, and the view, and lots of things about this summer. But, looking back, I feel at peace. I'm ready to take the things I've learned and start the next adventure. I can say with gladness:

"Lord, you now have set your servant free

to go in peace as you have promised.

For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior,

whom you have prepared for all the world to see.

A light to enlighten the nations,

and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen."

The view from Sendak's summer studio/library

Sendak's summer property

Goodbye Kisses from Kuunika

the babies! they did this all on their own!