SNAPSHOTS: Ever get to the place where you need to make a decision about which path to take when facing a fork in the road?
Traipsing along a path in the woods suddenly there’s a fork: which way to find the way back to the main road? (Like this one traversed in Sedona, Arizona years ago.)
Or maybe we take a fork in the road for a respite, to prop our feet up and rest awhile before making momentous decisions. (Last year @ Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada: a marvelous place for respite & restoration.)
Maybe one road will lift us over murky rubble if we choose to walk carefully when bridge planks are rickety. (Like this bridge @ Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park, Canada.)
Or maybe there’s two ways to get where we’re going? One uphill and the other a slightly easier walk downhill? (Like this choice to reach St. Catherine’s church with tired out knees in Siena, Italy?)
Or, maybe paths and choices lie before us, a continued journey of wisdom-seeking trust as we plod our way along the valleys and mountaintops of life. (@ the Grand Canyon, a grand place to contemplate our journeys!)
& WHATNOT…
Last week when my friend Carol-Jo hosted a 4th of July breakfast picnic @ the York River State Park, she shared poetry from our mutually beloved friend, Mel Rosche. Mel led an extraordinary life as an American pilot and P.O.W. during WWII, an engineer @ NASA, and in ministry. Before he passed at the age of 94, Mel had just completed Stephens Ministry training to serve others in the full-care facility where he lived. (You can read a tribute I wrote about Mel by clicking here.)
This week I dusted off Mel’s Quest2, a book he wrote about his journey, and found this poem that inspired my heart (& soul & spirit!)
A FORK IN THE ROAD
Whenever we come,
To a fork in the road,
We must be wise,
To solve the code.
At first we may think,
That our options are two,
But further reflection,
May add a few.
The most obvious set
Of options by far,
Are those which we call:
Either, or.
Look a bit further,
There may be more,
We could select,
Neither, nor.
But searching deeper,
The best choice at hand,
May go by the name of,
Both, and.
Mel Rosche
Both-and choices in South Africa!
grace, peace & forks (in the road)
Virginia : )
Roses in the Rubble 
These are beautiful & inspiring photos. Thanks for honoring Mel … such a great man and role model for us all!
We all miss Mel, Cin, but like Papa & Mama the legacy of his life continues to impact so many people. He never gave up (even as a P.O.W. in WWII.) Will have to share a few more of his poems, all amazing (Mel’s daughter, Jan, granted permission for me to post them.) HUGS!! 🙂
beautiful post-and I agree with Mel.
Michele, I agree with Mel, too! It doesn’t always have to be either/or, neither/nor when both/and works! Blessings 🙂
And thank Goodness for that! love, Michele
Amazing photos. I’m very jealous if you’ve been to all of those places and taken them yourself!
Sarah – Working overseas made traveling easier (+ travelled lots for work.) Taking photos has been a long-time hobby (altho replaced fancy camera with good small one that fits in purse as can’t lug huge DSLR around anymore!) Now there’s Instagram (just got on) that has turned my iPhone into an opportunity-seeking-gadget. All fun! 🙂
I agree that often, “both-and” is the way to go. For example, tea and cookies, cake and ice cream, bacon and eggs … golly, now I’m getting hungry, ha! Love these photos of yours, Virginia.
Oh Debbie, I like your cake AND ice cream, especially since today is National Ice Cream Day! My Mama once asked my niece Jessey (when very little) if she wanted a cookie or cupcake, she responded “both.” That’s a running joke in our family (especially around desserts!) Blessings! 🙂
Beautiful photos indeed!😃
Thank you. ”Twas fun sifting thru old flash drives & photo folders trying to find pathways & forks in the road!😎 📸😎
Love it Virginia! edie >
Love you Edie!! Can’t believe it’s been a year since we saw you in Vancouver!! Hugs & hugs & hugs! 🙂 VA
What a blessing to have choices. Wherever we are, near or far, high or low, wherever we go, we have the power to choose. The beauty of having forks, as your metaphoric images express so well, is we have to stop momentarily, breath, look a bit down this road or that first. Sometimes that momentary pause helps us choose thoughtfully, and hopefully…wisely!
Sparky Jen, thank you for sharing these insights and for your RADICALLY INSPIRING blog. After reading your “don’t have a nice day” post (a bit on the hilarious side for someone from the south), today became a conspiracy everywhere I turned: @ Doc’s office, Panera,Trader Joes, WalMart, Zoes & Fresh Market everyone Have-A-Nice-Day-ed me before I could come up with an adequately inspiring response (polite me responded in H.A.N.D.kind.) Will keep working on it. 🙂 Looking forward to gleaning more of your radical inspiration! Blessings!! Virginia
Virginia, I love the way you have defined my blog. You’ve hit the nail on the head. Much appreciated!
So, if I could double-“Like” this post, I would. Great ‘scenic’ insights. Loved the photos [I’m hooked on Banff.] and really appreciated the poem. Good work, Virginia. [As well traveled as you are, isn’t it time you hiked El Camino de Santiago? ;->]
Tim, love it: ‘scenic insights.’ You have a gift for making this red head laugh (& laugh) from your blog posts, & now this! 🙂 Banff is amazing: there are so many highlights to savor. (Mountains, high? get it?) 🙂 ‘Tis on the bucket list to walk part of the Camino de Santiago – in all my travels have never been to Spain or Portugal (one day!) – Virginia
p.s. BANFF GROUPIES OF THE WORLD UNITE!! (let’s meet in BANFF!)