Hosting a labyrinth walk has become more about listening then speaking. Yes, I do talk about the labyrinth, it's history, the story of the creation of the labyrinth at The Delaware Art Museum and the special people involved...but more important is listening to the walkers. I love to hear their stories, what drew them to the labyrinth, what happened to them as they walked, metaphors, and awareness of the creation new labyrinths (especially when they are local).
Such an awareness recently occurred . A woman and her 3 children were visiting the museum and ventured down to the labyrinth. In conversation she mentioned that her church (located in Kennett Square, PA) had just built an labyrinth but she had not walked it. Kennett Square (aka the “Mushroom Capital of the World”) is located about 5 miles away from my home so a trip across state lines was inevitable.
On a crisp, chilly, damp morning I head to Kennett to find the Church of the Advent Episcopal Church and it's new addition. Finding the church was a breeze and I quickly found the labyrinth tucked between the church and it's offices. The entrance to the stone 7circuit medieval inspired/modified labyrinth was flanked by 2 large planters offering a burst of red (a welcome change in color to the dull rainy days we were experiencing) in whimsical bee painted pots. As I stood at the entrance, gathering my thoughts and becoming aware of each breath I glanced beyond the labyrinth and notice the cemetery.
Last month we buried my father (Cy Rollins) at the family graveyard in Maryland. I have always been fond of cemeteries, loving to read the names, dates and epitaphs, and seeing the artistry of the head and foot stones. History that I could touch and stories of lives to be told in the smallest of detail. I decided to dedicate my walk to my father.
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| (marker for my mother's family on the Eastern Shore of Maryland) |
Each turn seemed to bring me back to a story of my life alongside him. I will miss his stories (well, most of them, that is!) and his silent support. Laughter and tears were shed on the labyrinth that day and I am blessed from the lesson learned and the stories remembered. Find a labyrinth, trail or path and walk in remembrance of someone you love.
To find a labyrinth near you go to http://www.labyrinthsociety.org/ and click on the labyrinth locator (upper right hand corner).
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| (Kennett Square, PA) |
That's a lovely idea to dedicate your labyrinth walk to your father. I am sure it had profound meaning for you. Looks like a very nice labyrinth in a perfect, peaceful setting. Is it made of stones on concrete?
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