A powerful quote from Ram Dass says, “We’re all just walking each other home.” The quote brings tears to my eyes. The mental picture of walking someone home is gripping. The very act brings to mind safety, concern, security, love, camaraderie, friendship. Did you ever walk home with a friend from school and have so much fun, that at your destination the two of you decided to walk to the other one’s home? The pleasure was in the journey, not the destination. Did you walk your children to and from class the first few days of the school year? Have you ever walked with a stranger who has lost their way? Showing someone the way is a much greater kindness than just telling them. Giving directions is much less personal than taking them to their destination. Walking someone home epitomizes tender loving care. Do you think of walking through life with people? It might not be for a lifetime, it might be a short interval, but if we had that state of mind, we might view that relationship differently.
It certainly is a poignant thought as it speaks to spending time with our Elders. We literally have the privilege to ‘walk people home’ as they transition from this life. But it works both ways. Choosing to spend time with older family members or friends allows us to have wisdom and guidance in our own journey home. Who is walking who? It is such an honor to spend time with those that are wise, seasoned and experienced. We see on a daily basis that age is an attitude: old is a state of mind. As kids, it seems quite natural to hold hands with a friend and walk home. When you’re older, you get to hold hands with your friends again! To paraphrase Ram Dass: “We’re all just holding hands and walking each other home.”