The Navaho have pollen as a life source and for them, the pollen path is the path to the center. The Navaho say, “Oh, Beauty before me, Beauty behind me, Beauty to the right of me, Beauty to the left of me, Beauty above me, Beauty below me, I’m on the pollen path.”
I have always loved this and see it coming to life at Haywood Street not only as Spring is on our horizon but in the work being done here. Whether it be in the relationships being created and strengthened, or in a passing moment with a friend, Beauty dwells at Haywood Street. It’s in the tenderness that embraced John during service– heard first from a quiet hum and followed by the organ’s Amazing Grace, or in the blessing received by John on the steps of Respite as he took his final breath. And from the gospel of John, the poet, whose writing sets forth less of an account and more of the experience of the heart, of beauty coming to life within.
It has been an honor to be on campus this year as we prepare to capture the beauty of Haywood Street in fresco. Each meal, each staff meeting, each cup of coffee shared in this holy space, each friend has opened my eyes in a new way. I believe the magic of this place is in teaching us how to see. Together, we can say, “Oh, Beauty before me, Beauty behind me, Beauty to the right of me, Beauty to the left of me, Beauty above me, Beauty below me…WE are on the pollen path.”
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