Maria

She went to my church in South Africa. We shared family stories and deep theological thoughts over Rooibos tea and cheesecake, her favorite. In Hermanus we'd run on the beach, she, barefoot, and look for whales together. We never saw any. Her easy laugh and wild curls were natural complements of her carefree personality. We called each other "kindred spirits"--we were. She was one of the few I'd always stay in touch with. The last e-mails we wrote each other were in mid-January, she wrote me last. Having one of my "Maria moments," which I often do, that longing to talk to her, her to listen in that non-judgemental, wise, kind but strong way, I e-mailed her at the beginning of March.

Yesterday, March 29, her sister wrote me back. She was sorry to tell me, especially over e-mail, but Maria had passed away January 25. She attached photos of her--this beautiful, colorful, bright-eyed woman--who had been alive in my mind since I last saw her. She died in a car accident.

Two months have passed, but my mourning process has only just begun. I'm far away from our mutual friends, many of whom have already reached closure. She's the first friend I've lost--a very good friend. I feel like my world's about to change.

Brannon said something once: "The older you get, the more extreme happiness and sadness become." When you're little, the best thing that happens to you is the ice cream truck coming, and the worst, scraping your knee. As you get older, the best is marriage, children, grandchildren. The most tragic is death.

L'Abri

My friend Hannah is going to L'Abri in Switzerland next semester. The French word "L'Abri" means "shelter" and it's basically a self-study school anyone, from any background, can go to to ask questions and get honest answers about life and its meaning. As I understand it, the school is set up communally--students garden, cook, and clean for themselves and each other. Students discuss questions over the dinner table every day. About a third of the time is spent studying, another thrid working, and another third doing other things (traveling?). When you arrive at L'Abri, you receive a personal tutor who directs you in the subject you want to pursue. Weekly lectures are also given, I believe.

L'Abri was started by Francis and Edith Schaeffer, one of the most godly, like-minded, and intelligent couples to walk the planet. I'm reading Edith Schaeffer's book "L'Abri" and have been blessed by her faith, critical mind, and fidelity to Scriputre. I'm writing down quotes I think are exciting. Here's one you might like:

"The thing about real life is that important events don't announce themselves. Trumpets don't blow, drums don't beat to let you know you are going to meet the most important person you've ever met, or read the most important thing you are ever going to read, or have the most important conversation you are ever going to have, or spend the most important week you are ever going to spend. Usually something that is going to change your life is a memory before you can stop and be impressed about it. You don't usually have a chance to get excited about that sort of thing . . . ahead of time!" (ch. 5)

If that's not exciting - the future, mystery, God's goodness, which rests in His wisdom - I don't know what is.