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Jan Paul's avatar

Ian,

I saved this to read while walking the Coastal Portuguese Camino. I’m glad I did. Your benediction feeds my soul, as your words always have. The Camino is, for me a threshold that I’ve approached in all humility and hope. Blessings to you, Laura, Ana and Ian!

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Ian Cummins's avatar

Jan, I’m thrilled to hear you are on the Camino. What a special part of the world. I send prayers and love.

Ian

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Jan Paul's avatar

It’s testing my mettle. Today was hard, 1200 feet altitude gain. It forces you to be present: one foot in front of the other, never looking too far ahead, focus on breathing and finding blessings on the Camino. Today there were many.

Have you thought of leading another Camino? Your last one occurred before we came to Montview.

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Ian Cummins's avatar

My friend Brad was the real organizer of that Camino trip. He’s been leading them for years but is retiring this year. So I doubt I will lead one but I do hope to walk some of it myself some day. Sending prayers for strength and healthy feet!

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Bob G's avatar

Well, that is quite moving. I hope I can find it in my vast collection of saved emails when my turn comes to return to the sea. And, as is usually the case, it is very helpful in the midst of life, when death seems far away. Thank you, my friend.

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Ian Cummins's avatar

Thanks Bob. I appreciate that!

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Carol Ford's avatar

So beautifully and eliquently written, Ian - with love from the heart. Thank you for sharing this gift you have! Today, on the 9th anniversary of my husband's death, I found this comforting for me. It would have been soothing for him to have had this read to him at the time of awaiting death. A few hours prior to his last breath, I had a small group of 15 gather in his ICU room for soft live music, prayer, blessings and love a few hours prior to his last breath - this would have been comforting for him to hear surrounded by those he loved, comforting for those who loved him circled around the room, and for me close by his side. Tears flow now, but tears of joy for his unconditional love for 55 years of my life and to know his love is still right here with me.

This is now # 2 for your book of Benedictions.....looking forward to #3.

I did share this with my pastor and it is now an additional resource she has available as she ministers to those in the end stages of life.

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Ian Cummins's avatar

Thank you!! And I'm especially touched that you passed it on to your pastor. Thinking of you and Doug on this important day.

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Sarah Butter's avatar

Beautiful. Can you write one for someone in the midst of divorce?

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Ian Cummins's avatar

Thanks for the suggestion, Sarah. I'll play around and see what comes of it. If it is you in the midst of the divorce, I wish you moments of grounding and peace as you go through such a challenging time. And may there be new sources of happiness coming you can't yet see.

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Ellen Jean Johnson's avatar

I wish I had your words to comfort a dying friend who was seeking courage when he needed surrender. It would have made his time more peaceful I believe.....

But now I shall save this blessing for myself and my next needy friend.

Thank you Ian. May you keep the blessings flowing.....

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Ian Cummins's avatar

Thank you for the encouragement, Ellen!

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Mickie Nelson's avatar

This is is wonderful Ian. You are definitely onto something with this style of writing/praying/poetry. It reminds me of something my David said often and had posted around the house. I put it on the invitation to his Memorial Birthday Service. I think he got it from his Spiritual guide. "I know that I am held in the hands of God...and I am perfectly utterly safe." Blessings. Mickie

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Ian Cummins's avatar

Yes, how the world would be different if we really knew in our bones how safe we actually are.

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Laura Barr's avatar

Ah...I love this:

that this whole beautiful mess

has been a love story

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Ian Cummins's avatar

My favorite line too! :)

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Teresa Toomey's avatar

This is incredibly beautiful and comforting! Thank you, Ian.

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Ian Cummins's avatar

Thank you, Teresa. I really appreciate that.

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