I’ve travelled many trails in my life. Some alone and others enriched by the companionship of others. I met my friend about 27 years ago. We realized that we had both decided to take up walking for health reasons. She was about 15 years my senior but spry with a quick mind and listening ear that made us fast friends. For over 15 years we met and walked in Central Park most often greeting sunrise. We walked through good times like births, romance, and we walked through difficult times; the loss of her daughter and my partner.
The trail that we followed together was that of life. My buddy, now through the effects of age and Parkinson’s can no longer take those walks. The park is not the same without her. We’ve taken up a new trail. We walk through prayers. Each morning I call her and we begin our prayer session. When I close my eyes as we recite the 23rd psalm, followed by our prayer needs, I can still feel the park’s breezes brushing against my cheeks. During this Advent season I am eternally filled with gratitude for one of the greatest gifts of all. That is the gift of friendship.
The Lord Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Shared by Denise Kaalund
