Hello everyone, it’s me Erin, Dave’s girlfriend and co-founder of Traveling the Americas Adventure! I think Dave has done such a wonderful job on the blog so far. What a Mench. Among other things I have been learning Yiddish from Evelyn and Hirsh, who are featured in the bocce video. My month on the East Coast has been very rich. Every member of Dave’s family is so warm, unique, passionate, smart, generous and accepting. I learned about the importance of rationalism from Dave’s dad, got in running shape with Dave’s mom, meditated with Dave’s other mom, got to be a farm girl and CHILL with Dave’s other mom, and ate amazing meals ALL THE TIME with all of his parents. It was a blast meeting his extended family in NYC and having all his family on his mother’s side admire their family ring that Dave gave me. Him and his family share many of my interests, so I got to really soak in the amazing green spaces of Philly. We also got to go to a farm that Linda and Amy have a CSA at. The mural arts tour by bicycle was totally inspiring. Between the delicious and healthy meals were lots of walks, tours of gardens, and outdoor adventures. I am very thankful for this month.
Another highlight of the trip was seeing my friends, Pat, and her family as well as my college buddy, Elizabeth and her family. What amazing people. Pat’s compassion, love, candor, wisdom, spunk, and openness were delightful to be around. Elizabeth is such a wonderful role model for me of a patient mother and loving wife. Her baby girls are adorable. Maya, her 2 year old is a new friend of mine.
A couple of days ago I took a solo mission to a Zendo, a Zen Monastery, in Northern Pennsylvania. I got to be really quiet and slow things down about 100 notches. My mind was like a racehorse when I arrived! The trees were glorious colors and the garden was producing Hercules carrots and beets (huge). I spent the weekend with a priest and a Japanese student who were role models of dedication to practice. Some gifts I came back with are a renewed awareness of impermanence, a more grounded practice of sitting, peace, and the understanding that there is a little bit of George Bush in everyone. Also, I was told to always ask the question, “Why am I here?” Not really to find an answer, but to live in the question.
So now I am on the airplane, with my sweet patient love filling out the customs form to enter Mexico, writing to you and am so grateful for my life.
2 responses so far ↓
Stina // November 15, 2007 at 2:41 am
You are both off off and away!! Congrats on a safe trip to Mexico – can’t wait to hear all about it. Love from SF.
pam fye // January 30, 2008 at 4:05 am
hey erin — i just joined a mindfulness meditation group. i practice sitting once a week. (but i’d like to do more) it’s so fantastic. i hope you can keep this going– it just gets better and better.