“Have You Seen This Dog?” — Thoughts on Getting Away

(Dear Reader: I had a few tech challenges getting this posted…I hope this comes through now…)

Some years ago, we had a dog named Andy.  He was a feisty soul who lived 18 years.  One day, I had parked our car in the driveway and, for reasons I cannot remember, left him there for a few minutes.  I returned for him, saw him in this pose and took the photo.

Just for fun, the next day I made flyers with “Have You Seen This Dog?” in large print and the photo below it.  I added a comment that he was last seen driving a gray Honda Odyssey van on Patterson Avenue and included my contact info.  I posted the flyer a few on telephone poles in our neighborhood.  No one seemed to notice.  A few days later I took them down.

Earlier this week I happened to come across the photo again.  Something about it called to me — I thought about that impulse we can have to “get away.” 

Do you ever feel this desire?

Maybe it’s just taking a break from our daily tasks and getting outdoors to take a walk. Or going out to spend time with friends. Or engaging in a physical or creative practice that reminds us of our inner capacity to experience new things.  We often return from such activities with renewed energy and optimism.  

The desire may lead us to travel.   I am constantly thinking about trips I want to take to places I’ve never been. The travel industry offers us images and catalogues that stimulate that desire even more.  If we have traveled to a new country or culture, we may return with an increased knowledge of how other people live, what the world offers, and our own possibilities.

Sometimes we “get away” for distraction and entertainment. Sometimes we do so for something deeper.

From a spiritual perspective, many transformational figures have found new direction by “getting away” from what’s familiar to find something new – Buddha, Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Elijah, Jesus, Mohammed and countless others who have gone on vision quests and personal pilgrimages.

In my years of involvement at La Casa de Maria Retreat Center, I saw countless people arrive feeling burned out, sensing they needed a new direction.  They found an environment designed to encourage personal renewal.  They were free to wander the 26 acres of oak trees set alongside a running creek.  They could choose to rest, meditate or reflect at one of the spiritual gardens.  Wonderful food was provided.  Naps were encouraged. Unhurried conversations could take place.  There were no television screens to distract attention.  Time after time, people left feeling like their purpose in life was once again clear. They had found new hope and courage.

When we return from these kind of journeys, we may not feel the need to “get away” again any time soon.  Instead, we can face our life, responsibilities and opportunities with clarity and confidence.  We accept whatever limitations we may have, but now with a willingness to acknowledge them, making the best of the time and resources we have. 

It’s good to get away.  It’s also good to come home.

In my pastoral and hospice experiences, it was often instructive to see how many people at the end of life found purpose and meaning in simple things: personal relationships, a few treasured memories, and an awareness that life is a marvelous mystery and gift.  They didn’t feel a need to be anywhere other than where they were.

I could have asked Andy what led him to take the wheel and contemplate getting away that day.  Was it some deep spiritual calling? Or just a hope he could find a household with better food?  But Andy never wanted to talk about his deeper feelings, and I respected that.  I do know that as I opened the car door, picked him up, and brought him into the house he seemed glad to be home once again.