Day 066i: Humming into Heaven … (06/19/2019)
Even though the day was still blazing hot when I left the Pommevic church, I knew from Martin that it was only 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) to Espalais, where Nathalie had told me I would potentially find the donativo hostel Le Par Chemin – and find it I quite easily did! Said gite was, in fact, the very first building I saw as I came upon the town of Espalais, and right away I knew in my heart of hearts that I had come upon someplace truly special …
I walked slowly up the grassy drive to the open-air dining table at its entrance, and Frederic warmly introduced himself with the warmest of smiles. His wife Muriel (pictured as well in the first comment box below) was there too (with just as glowing a visage) and I smiled in turn and began the usual process of explaining my Walk and its mission, feeling pretty good already about the possibility of these obviously loving people being sympathetic to my Peace-full Purpose, and supporting the same by allowing me to spend the night there that evening. And yet Frederic didn’t even let me finish the first few sentences of my story, holding up his hand softly in interruption and stating, “You are welcome here.” Stunned, I explained that my Walk was a mendicant pilgrimage and that I had no funds with which to pay for my stay. “That doesn’t matter – You are welcome,” he repeated. By this point something that can only be described as “magical” was happening, for all three of us were Joy-fully tearing up by this point – as if somehow a long-lost family member had finally returned Home … 😀
“When it gets right down to it, the most important thing we cane ever bring to another person is the real warmth in us. And I don’t mean the hollow, uber-typical “warmth” that is comprised of emotional flutterings or vapid pandering or superficial friendliness. No, I mean real warmth – the sort of warmth that provides a real place of refuge, that offers unconditional acceptance, that proffers reckless acts of kindness, that chooses to see the best inside the other – and then acts in bold accordance. Every sentient being on this planet is innately – and indeed almost insatiably – hungry for this deeper heat. For in its presence we can remember something beyond both our individual histories and the happenings of the mere moment. In its presence – whenever it is truly being given – we rediscover a strength on which to reawaken our Souls and rebuild our lives.” ~ inspired by Rachel N. Remen
P.S. THANK YOU sooooooooo much, Muriel & Frederic! 😀 <3 😉
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