There is a place where the sidewalk ends And before the [trail] begins, And there the grass grows soft and white, And there the sun burns crimson bright, And there the moon-bird rests from his flight To cool in the peppermint wind. (Poem by Shel Silverstein) Where is that place where your sidewalk ends - and adventure begins? For seven women from Ohio Wesleyan University, that place was Cumberland Island, Georgia. We bid our farewell to any and all sidewalks, boarded a ferry and took in the salty breeze as we headed towards the island's dock. Spring break was here! From the moment we stepped foot on the island, it was as if time stopped. For a few days, there was no need to know what time it was and no reason to spend time worrying about what we couldn't control. We could eat breakfast - and enjoy it. We could stop and watch a horse and her foal napping in the afternoon sun - and enjoy it. I mean, we were heading to relax on the beach ourselves anyway! It was a place where we could live moment by moment, taking in all that was around us. And there was an abundance of moments to take in! We... ...spent time observing the culture of the crabs that live in the tidal pools along the shoreline ...studied the trees and saw the aftermath of a recent wildfire in January ...watched different bands of wild horses graze along the trails ...sipped angel tea and ate crepes (compliments of nearby kayakers!) as we watched dolphins swim across the coastal river at sunset ...saw an armadillo waltzing along the trail ...went star-gazing ...made some "recycled" pancakes ...talked late into the night about who were were, who we wanted to be and how we can change ...celebrated a birthday! It was all of these small moments that brought us along to our final campsite at the end of the week. After singing endless hours of Disney songs on the trails (thanks Danielle & Grace) and having just become comfortable with living out of a backpack, it was time to head back. And yet, like every trip, we left with so much more than we came with. We brought our empty selves - tired and worn from working hard all semester - and left feeling refreshed, knowing a little bit more about who we are and having gained new friends. For me, some of the best memories of this trip came from our last evening together, where I heard so many truths spoken. One girl talked about how for her, this trip was the first where she experienced a "productive rest" - where she was physically active and engaging her mind and learn new things and yet still able to feel refreshed, even more so than not doing anything. Another one talked about not allowing others' definition of her to limit who she can be, but rather, allow herself to try new things and allow them to become part of herself as well. Another one voiced how she had never eaten American food nor tried any of the sports that we did because none of her friends would challenge themselves - but how glad she was that she had taken the risk and learned so much! And still, one of the most beautiful things that was spoken by the whole group was just how relieving it was to find other girls who were interested in the same things (outdoors, trying new things, talking about the truths that really matter) and who weren't difficult to get along with. All of them had signed up for an all-women's trip and yet stepped into it with a fear of knowing how girls can treat each other. Thank goodness for the grace that allowed them to see how genuine and good an all-women's trip can be! As we step back onto the sidewalk and return to the places and people we left behind, it is not without a new confidence and understanding of ourselves. And for me, that is evidence of God's presence on the trip - which is how it should be.
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