Dawn's Pilgrim

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I hardly knew the guy — had only met him once a few years ago at a gathering hosted by a mutual friend. An older fellow, he was an avid snow skier and surfer with a ruddy complexion and an easy, confident smile. He spoke to me about rising most days before dawn, spring through autumn, and driving alone to the shoreline at various locations in Connecticut and Rhode Island to witness sunrise — maybe even catching a wave or two if the weather was good. Then he said, “You ought to try it. It’ll change your life. There’s something really special about being alone and watching the sun come up along the shore.”

I believed him without reservation. After following him on social media, I came to look forward to seeing the photos from his early-morning posts, yet could find neither the motivation to do the same, nor any good reason why I shouldn’t. This avoidance always bothered me. The posts suddenly stopped, and I found out from friends that he had died in his sleep.

Life has been nudging me toward the shore for a little while now, and being near the water has always been meaningful and inspiring — a return to an essential place. I think it’s time for a new kind of pilgrimage sojourn, closer to home and more in the way of a practice — a pilgrimage to sunrise near coastal waters. Seems to me a fine way to continue the walking sacrament.

I’ll keep you posted.

Peace,

Stephen