These days, when we get together, our conversation is usually about about our adult children and our grandchildren. We laugh at silly things and we talk about the work we are both still doing. We are supposedly retired, but I teach mindfulness meditation and she teaches Sherbourne Developmental Movement. Recently, however, we have talked a bit more about how our paths have diverged. She is still a church goer and a believer - I am neither. I'm so glad this topic has opened up for us. Not to talk about something that is so important for her seems to create an unnecessary distance, but I shrank from the topic for fear of giving offence.
I spent much of my early years in the church, so many of my friends from those days were people of faith. Some have become more conservative in their beliefs over the years, some more liberal. Some no longer believe at all. Yet I do not ask them where they are in their spiritual journey, and they never enquire about mine.
Time is running out for us all now and I want to have these conversations before it is too late, and in a loving, respectful way. Maybe this is why I started this blog - to help make that possible.
If any of this speaks to you - pull up a chair, pour out a cup of tea and join in the conversation.