Today was a lesson on miscommunication and missed opportunities and embracing where I happen to be at any given moment. Today was a particularly lovely day in the Pacific Northwest. We had opportunity to drive to Mount St. Helens to a vista point that a few locals said would be beautiful. But we didn’t go. We missed the opportunity.
It largely boiled down to miscommunication. John looked up the route and said it would take us more than two hours out of our way. I thought that meant he didn’t want to make the drive. So I suggested a few other options I thought he might like. Apparently he thought I was saying I didn’t want to go to Mount St. Helens and would rather do these other things instead. So we did. And we missed the opportunity. Or did we?
Many wise folks have had plenty to say about missed opportunities. I particularly like these words of wisdom from Andrew Lincoln: “I don’t really have any regrets because if I choose not to do something there is usually a very good reason. Once I’ve made the decision I don’t view it as a missed opportunity, just a different path.”
Today we took a different path. And it was a good path, which I enjoyed thoroughly. It would be a shame to let a missed opportunity detract from the loveliness of the day.
We breakfasted with a distant cousin of John’s and her family at a unique little place in downtown Portland. The restaurant offered a variety of gourmet breakfast dishes served family style. It was sort of like breakfast tapas. We all got to try a little of everything. So fun! Even better was getting acquainted with Carolyn and her family. This was my first time meeting them, but I don’t think it will be the last.
I had heard of a wonderful shrine in Portland called The Grotto. I had hoped to visit it, but didn’t know if it would work out since we were having breakfast with Carolyn and then planned to get on down the road to Seattle. I had pretty much given up on the idea of attending Mass there. But as it happened, we arrived just as noon Mass was beginning. So there was a wonderful opportunity that just presented itself.
This may have been my favorite “church” so far. Mass was held outdoors! The Grotto Plaza is an open area with pews under a canopy of trees facing the grotto itself which holds a beautiful white marble pieta. The wind in the treetops and the calls of birds were the background music. The homily focused on the miracle of abundance. The priest pointed out that whenever Jesus is involved, there is always more than is needed. And we, His people, are expected to share the abundance He provides. He is never stingy. Why should we be?
After Mass I visited the Chapel of Mary to pray for a bit, and then strolled the beautiful grounds.
I continue to be amazed at how these places of intense peace and beauty exist in the middle of busy urban areas. And the peace remains even when many people are milling about.
I had read about a historic winery in Vancouver, WA that sounded like fun. It was just off our planned route, so we decided to stop. I will admit that I’ve had better wine, but the surroundings were quaint, our host, Andrew, was welcoming and knowledgeable, and the two little winery dogs, Louie and Chloe, were adorable. Plus there were chickens just wandering and pecking for bugs as we sipped our wine.
Another spot about which I had read was Tumwater Falls Park. There is something so lovely and almost mesmerizing about falling water. We had time so we pulled in. Our first impression was decidedly underwhelming. We saw no water. Only a good bit of construction. But we decided to explore anyway, and I’m so glad we did. A long, gently sloping path winds along the Deschutes River under a canopy of trees. The path is lined with boulders and ferns and all manner of native plants. It is a magical place. I kept almost expecting to see fairies hiding in the shadows.
And so, yes, we missed Mount St. Helens. But what a wonderful day it was anyway! Mark Twain once said, “I was seldom able to see an opportunity until it had ceased to be one.” The truth is that we missed countless opportunities today, as we do every day of our lives. But we took advantage of a few as well, even though I didn’t recognize them as opportunities at the time.
I’m learning, I think, to be more present wherever I am and to enjoy what is right in front of me. It is one way our Good Shepherd is leading me. And this is an opportunity of which I can take advantage every day.
