Typically, I go down to the Abbey of Gethsemani in KY for a long weekend retreat in late March or early April, generally during lent. My mom and a lot of her friends go at the same, many of them carpooling. I've learned that the carpooling does not make for a more peaceful or fun or holy retreat for me- and I prefer to drive myself there and back, thus extending the retreat. I think many of the retreatants think I'm crazy for it (and they might be right) and yet, it makes for a better all around retreat for me, so I'm sticking with it for now.
I left Saline on Friday morning just before 10 am. I had meant to leave earlier, but a late night the previous night and a few errands on the way out held me back. And frankly, I appreciate that it didn't really matter, I could just sleep an extra hour and go then (another advantage of driving yourself). So I got on the road by 10 and was cruising toward Kentucky. Thankfully, I'd checked the weather and knew there was a winter storm headed for Ohio / KY that day, so I had some warning. It started snowing south of Toledo, but wasn't terrible at that point. After an hour or so, it was coming down hard, the wind had picked up, the traffic had slowed down, and the roads were icing over. Nonetheless, I was happy enough to be heading on retreat and by myself in the honda that it didn't really phase me, I just kept my distance from other vehicles, drove carefully and sang along with the music. It took 2 hours longer than usual to get there, but like I said, I wasn't too anxious and was just pleased to get there eventually.
The other hitch in my plan involved this same winter storm. Usually spring has arrived at the monastery by the time I go for my annual retreat, and it gives me great joy to go visit spring there, and renews my hope that spring will be coming home soon thereafter. Besides that, the monastery has tons of beautiful country around it and I usually spend a good 75% of my retreat out hiking, praying, reading on my favorite little bridge by the stream, soaking in spring, etc... basically, 75% of my retreat is outside, and the rest is in the chapel (not including the sleep time). Anyway, I knew with the snow predicted, my usual retreat was going to be disrupted. I initially told Jesus of my dismay, and how much I needed to visit spring... but eventually came to the realization that He must have a different plan for my retreat and I agreed to go with that.
Sure enough, the snow changed things, but it ended up being a good experience anyway. Friday night it continued to snow and by the time I went out for my post-compline rosary walk, it was sort of freezing rain combined with snow and everything was well coated. So I just bundled up for my walk and appreciated the warmth inside when I was done. Saturday morning I woke up for Vigils at 3.15 am, then Lauds 5.45 am, then Mass 6.15 am, then breakfast. By 8 am I was itching to get outside, so I bundled up and set out. No one else had been out yet, and everything was coated with the big fluffy snow, breathtakingly beautiful!! It felt like walking through Narnia the way the braches were weighed down with the snow, the birds flying in and out chattering, the way the small trees were bending all the way to the ground because of the ice and snow, the unbroked snow stretching out in front of me, a few deer bounding off in front of me, the big fluffy flakes still falling from the sky... So, although it was nothing like spring, it was an incredible walk with the Lord and a gift to be there, a gift to spend that early morning time with Him outside surrounded by His creation. Besides that, the wind had died down so it was pretty mild and I didn't get cold (amazingly enough) even after being out and hiking through the forest for over an hour. Sunday was even warmer, and the snow was melting, so I spent a muddy sloshy several hours outside in the sunshine, which was wonderful, prayerful, and even sort of springy.
Other than the outside stuff... I love the silence, the stillness, the solitude, some long overdue time to just be... to listen, to deal with stuff on the inside that I sometimes avoid because of all the external activity... I love that the monks chant the psalms at all hours of the day and night- talk about being grounded in Scripture... I love the beautiful grounds at the monastery. I love the silent meals... it somehow makes eating more reverent, more prayerful, more peaceful... and Jesus always speaks in the midst of the silence. It was an amazing retreat.
1 comment:
...this did nothing to ease my ache to go down there sooner than later...
Sounds like a great retreat! I'm glad the snow didn't totally ruin it. But I'm no longer surprised that your cold came back. Hopefully it won't last long :-)
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