We have a friend who defined adventure as ‘Misery Reminisced’ (thank you Steve Anonby!). It implies two things: one, that a lot of things you get up to on an adventure are difficult, dull, or tormenting and two, likely someone else shared the misery, because they are the ones with whom you reminisce! John and I have more than a few stories about the awkward and painful hours on our travels that have now become stories that entertain — even if it’s just us who are being entertained. The other less obvious insight is that one should choose their travelling companions well. I think I have. You need someone who has endurance, perseverance, a willingness to care less about self than others, who can laugh.

So today I just want to pause the Camino to celebrate my companion John, who is all of that and whose birthday it is today. Who else would go on a virtual journey with me so willingly? He’s willing to do this, because we’ve happily (and miserably too) travelled together everywhere else. Also, I think if you could calculate all the kilometres that John has walked with Caleb since he was a little boy they might have been to the moon and back.

So…it gives me an excuse to write a poem for him. Happy Birthday John — I’m so happy to be travelling together through life with you!

For John

A poem about you
would be sky, sea
and mountains,
all blue and green,
the colours of hope
and growth, of choosing
life and living.

It would be about
surprises and choices,
full of delight and sorrow
that colour our days
from sunrise to sunset
in gold and amethyst
glowing through
the dark night watches.

It would be about
meandering and walking
attentively, being led
through reality, practicing
obedience and faith
as map and compass,
allowing for detours
and misdirection —
but above all,
finding joy
in the journey.

It would be about
your heart devoted and generous
to God and God’s wild
wonderful world,
gentled by husband-ing
and fathering
in love given
and received.

It wouldn’t be complete;
it’s just some of the words
I’ve collected so far
while walking
together with you.

© 2020 Laurel Archer

PS: It would also be about puns, but that was hard to fit into the poem. Puns typically cause an awkward silence and that’s so hard to capture in a stanza.