One little word that I can’t get enough of.
The noun faith has its roots in the Old French and Latin word feid, which means “confidence or trust in a person, thing, or concept.” For me, faith has its roots in my life. While I am not someone who goes to church, I am a person with an immeasurable amount of faith. That feels like a very personal thing to share with you and maybe even creates some vulnerability for me. My faith is something that anchors me. Faith and my family, both have been what has grounded me throughout my life. Sometimes one more than the other.
Interestingly enough, when I travel I seek out churches. Sometimes I will go to mass—I’m not Catholic, but mostly I like to sit inside the walls of a hallowed space and reflect. I usually light a candle or two and prayers are said. I’ve sent good intentions on behalf of all kinds of people. The list is rather long. There are the ex-spouses, the former business associates, our blended family of five children, elected leaders, local leaders, the pilot of our airplane. The list goes on. My prayers and candle lighting can happen in a small local church in a hilltown in Italy to a large duomo in the city centre to a cathedral like Notre Dame. Regardless, I always seek out a church. It’s always on my planned or unplanned itinerary, and. I always find my way there. It kind of calls to me.
Maybe it’s the vast amount of other souls who have been there before me. Or the breathtaking architecture and the sheer wonder of how these places were built hundreds of years ago without the aid of modern machinery. Or maybe it’s the number of prayers and faint whispers that can be heard throughout the aspe? Or maybe it’s a combination of all of those things.
When I travel I like to explore and see history. I can’t think of anything more historic than a house of worship where I can do both of those things. I’m starting to think about my next adventure and where I’ll head. Paris will be part of the trip but I’m also thinking about Normandy and northern France. I do love a good hard cider and I’m guessing there will be some good churches where I can spend some time reflecting and lighting a few more candles.