Weary Traveler
My 7th graders started reading the novel, Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt, recently. A hard working, fun loving family comes upon a spring in a patch of woods. It was a hot summer day and they all drink from the spring. including a horse. Unbeknownst to them, the spring was magical, and the Tuck's and their horse were literally stopped at their present age and they become immortal. The novel follows the journey of the family some 80+ years after they drank from the spring and how they try to protect others from their fate.
Perpetual life, eternal youth, no fear of death or illness or injury. Sounds pretty good. But there is a problem. The Tuck's aren't living. They are alive but unable to enjoy or live their lives because of the fear of being found out. They have become weary of their circumstances. I think we could insert many of us into the Tuck's weary position. I feel tired of many things lately. I don't know if it is the time of year, my age, the more than two years of Covid, the war in the Ukraine, work, family drama, the list goes on, but people seem restless. My own kids, students, friends, family seem to feel that they are on a long winding road with no end in sight.
Usually when I am sitting at church or praying in the morning before I start my day, I am the most quiet, reflective, and silent. I think about how lucky I am. Is my life perfect? Ha, NO. Is my life complicated and frustrating sometimes? YES. Am I weary and restless more often then I would like to be? YES. Am I alone? Quite literally, sometimes yes, depending on the week. Spiritually and emotionally alone. NO, never. I have learned that I am never alone. HE is always with me. Thank God for the daily grace I am granted.
I have been obsessed with this "Weary Traveler" song the last week or so. I have listened to it dozens of times. It seemed to tie in with my novel my kids are reading. The Tuck's want to be together as a family. They want to go home. They want to see the light at the end of that dark tunnel. They can't attain Heaven. They can't go home. But we can. We are in the awesome position to know what we have to do to get home. Weary travelers, don't lose heart. Stay focused, and keep your eye on the prize.