I might have run by without even noticing, but just about jumped out of my running shoes when the percussive deep bong of the church bell began tolling the hour of nine o'clock.
Bong! I am here! Don't go by without noticing! Bong!
I stopped and stuffed my heart back in my chest, and then took a picture of Lee's Chapel. I'll draw this when I get home, I thought.
I was on a run before heading home for the final leg of our trip from NY to see my folks. I had run to the Washington and Lee campus. My goal was the stable and old home of Robert E Lee. The most famous horse of the Civil war, Traveler, had been stabled after the war at the top of the hill right in the middle of the beautiful, historic campus. Whenever I visit my son Matt, I try to run through the campus. The historic and magnificent buildings are nestled among old, gnarled trees along brick pathways. It always takes me back two hundred years to a time that seems simpler. I know that is probably not the case. The Civil War was no simple time.
I found the stable and peered in. It is in the garage of the Campus president's house. A car was in the open garage, but in the back were the iron bars of the stable. I paused, and pictured the brave horse Traveler who had carried General Lee safely through so many battles. I could almost here a welcoming neigh. I was told that Traveler is in a museum somewhere in Lexington, stuffed and preserved. I think I would rather envision him alive, stamping his hoof on the cement floor, demanding some well deserved grain.
So I was preoccupied by the time I was running by the church. I was thinking of brothers fighting brothers, horses being shot and wounded and killed. Peaceful creatures who were only in the thick of battle because they were willing to obey a master. What a depravity war, and hatred, and strife is.
And then the church bell shattered my mournful musings. I looked up at the spire poking heaven. It is so easy to wallow in despair. Lord knows there are more than enough despairing issues clamoring all around us. But I felt better looking at the beautiful church, and later drawing it. I could almost picture God stretching out His hand and offering Traveler a fistful of grain.
Luke 6:23
"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
-save a dog- hollowcreekfarm.org
When I saw your blog, all I could think was, "Wait a minute. I know that chapel!" I went to law school at W&L, and got engaged on the front step of the chapel. And yes, I could very easily picture Lee and Traveler alive on that campus.
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