Email 19

Welcome to my IN THEIR PATH! Email

June 21, 2003

IN PRAISE OF THE FREEDOM SEEKERS

There is a Buddhist saying:
Seek not to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; rather seek what they sought

I followed the path of slave families and conductor families and found the spirit of Underground Railroad courage, creativity, grace and loving kindness alive and well NOW. I am overwhelmed in the wonder of it. My entire family, neighbors, old friends and new, strangers who offered blessings and praise, strangers who have become good friends, television, radio, magazines and newspapers that spread the good news throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Ontario, and beyond via the internet all bear witness to a glorious present day Underground Railroad spirit.

Thank you Tish, Martha , Jeff, Rob, Candace, Teci the project manager, Shelley, Dan, Amanda, Nik, Jeremy, Nate, Ruby, Helena, Alex, and Irene.
Thank you to all of the station hosts from the first graciously welcoming Lontina Shropshire in Ripley, Ohio (April 2, 2002) to all of the Lake Erie Travelers in Canada (May 31, 2003) who became both drivers and safe houses in their amazing recreational vehicles.
Thank you to all of my driver/conductors
Thank you to all the teachers, all of the students (I am so grateful for all of the children who taught and inspired me)
Thank you to all my new friends and the pleasure of reconnecting to old friends
Thank you to all of the docents at museums, Underground Railroad Sites, historical buildings and private homes
Thank you for all of the teaching, stories, prayers and support that carried through years of planning and walked with me all along the trail.
Thank you for all of the hard work that went into a breathtaking final celebration in St. Catharines, (Canadians and Americans. again there were strangers who have become friends just like what happened all along the way as I walked with the ancestors IN THEIR PATH!)

Finally Home
I got back to my house on June 1st, the day after the triumphal entrance to Salem Chapel in St. Catharines. It has taken me three weeks to get back home. It was all really truly too much. I could not take it all in. Three weeks to process that huge a welcome, that big a finish to such a long journey. But Im finally getting there. Getting here.

For weeks I could not establish a routine for my days, so they would simply disappear. I did not walk. No weight training. I could not face the mound of mail stacked on the kitchen shelf, struggled even to go in and read email, let alone respond to the wonder filled good wishes. I had a lot of trouble sleeping. Id wake in my own bed, so disoriented Id put my feet on the floor, stop, struggle confused, unsure of which way to turn to find the bathroom.

I mowed the front lawn. I mowed the back. I dug in the dirt. Then replanted the chilly spring-damaged red Impatiens. They are not flourishing and usually thrive with very little care.

And I thought about making phone calls.

I went to prearranged speaking engagements:
June 5 Mary Davidsons Juvenile Detention Center (incarcerated children who were sadly silent at first and then there were lots of question later in the conversation-presentation How did you do that? Why? Where? All alone? Werent you scared?)
June 7 Jifunza Pages African American Cultural Garden community planting on Martin Luther King Boulevard (I tucked in a hosta and a primrose from my back yard)
June 21 African American Museum Junteenth Celebration (Sengalese drummers with their beautiful Konkee Yakano song, a smartly disciplined girls drill team and more)
On June 16. Kathy Soltis invited me to join the City Club press conference of Community Leaders Against the Death Penalty

Exhausted, it is difficult to get to all of the work I should be doing. It is a good thing I started writing THE BOOK! before I started this last leg of the walk. There is no way I could even think about writing without those first draft pages begun months ago. Thank goodness for Fran Stewart, the gentle nudge.

Now I just have to dig out, sort and decipher lists, doodles, journal entries, paper napkin notes, pictures, flyers, audio tapes ad videos, then actually walk to computer and sit down and type. Hah! uhn uhn.

Next week? Maybe. No. I cant. Im too tired. Writing is too difficult. I dont wanna.

If I close my eyes. Turn around, stomp three times, and wish really really hardcan I please please please be more disciplined? It worked. I actually am going to open THE BOOK! file right now.

Peace and Love,
Joan E.