A favorite quote from Ram Dass says, “We’re all just walking each other home.” The quote brings tears to my eyes. Did you ever walk home with a friend from school? The mental picture of walking someone home is gripping. The very act brings to mind safety, concern, security, love, camaraderie, friendship. There were times my friend and I had so much fun on our walk home that, when we reached her house, she then decided to walk me 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? 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 would view that relationship differently.
In a culture that admires and respects their elders, it becomes the generational opportunity to walk together through life. 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 for our own journey home. Who is walking whom? It is such an honor to spend time with those who 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.”