Gladly Beyond

There’s an e.e. cummings poem that has been working on me for a while. It particularly came into focus while I was exploring in Antarctica. His is a Love poem, but rather than romantic Love, it leads me into a Love that is far more essential to my being than any interpersonal Love. This calls me to reflect on my Love for Life. The poem’s title reads “somewhere I have never traveled,gladly beyond.” When I received an email with this picture of me plunging into the icy waters, taken on the boat in Antarctica, I laughed that it might be titled “Five Inches from Reality.” But the fact is, as you can see from the smile on my face, “gladly beyond” really fits the mood.

This picture is just one of many from an adventure I took with my college friend Faye, “gladly beyond.” When she invited me to accompany her and check off a trip on her bucket list, I don’t think we had any idea how far beyond we would travel in miles, wonder, and understanding. Maybe because we knew we couldn’t imagine what we would encounter — but perhaps because we knew that we could trust our friendship to take us “gladly beyond,” that we journeyed somewhat blithely to Antarctica.

We were a bit worried about the physical difficulties we might have navigating challenging terrain, so we agreed to go hand in hand — exactly like a photograph I remembered from heading off to kindergarten: two little girls, pony tails, dirndl skirts, peter-pan collars, sturdy shoes and white anklets. I don’t know what Faye wore to her first day of school, but she certainly remembered the power of that companionship. Off we set to Antarctica, and our hand-in-hand friendship carried us through. We spoke with the deep reverence of the things we learned about this incredible land, as if we were talking about learning to read; we loved seeing what the other unpacked for lunch (ok, it was a buffet line, but same, same), we took naps, had recess, and together wrote a song that we would sing to our fellow travelers and our guides. And yes, we plunged into this icy, breathtaking ocean that was “gladly beyond” all our imaginings.

My sharing her dream transformed us both. My being is forever transformed in so many ways because I went to Antarctica and because I shared that experience with Faye.

Returning, I had the beginning of what I knew would be a book of poetry. For years, I’ve been a daily writer of poetry. Never once before have I considered writing a book of poetry. Now that notion took on an urgency that surprised me. I believed in the Wonders I encountered. I trusted my Gratitude and Amazement. I knew that my poetry was powerful and could adequately convey what I saw. I also believed that my poetry from this particular journey could inspire people, not only to dare to explore beyond their boundaries, but also to stand up for preserving Places of Peace in their pristine condition. My friend, Duane, who helped design the education process we all went through as we journeyed, was part of a cohort determined to change visitors into ‘Ambassadors for Antarctica’, because it has no citizens. My goal as an Ambassador is to help extend Antarctica’s reach — and, by the way, help the world recognize that art has a very real role in revealing science.

As a theologian, “gladly beyond” epitomizes journeys I have taken on earth and in my soul to become the person I am today, tethered by my heartstrings to the sacred village I have gathered around me which continually enriches me. Part of the joy of going “Gladly Beyond” is knowing at some point I am able to “Joyfully Return.”

I know I’m fortunate. I also know that going “Gladly Beyond” is boldly reaching for dreams, which is critically important to me. As I think about it, I’ve often said that I can go anywhere, if I’m holding someone’s hand (taking my sacred village with me). Faye and Antarctica are confirmation of that. Each adventure leads me more deeply into the work of my soul and my enjoyment of life on this beautiful Creation…

Off I go…gladly beyond…take my hand. C’mon along, will you?

Salaam, Shalom, Peace, and Blessed Be!