I was provoked by Fr. Medina's proposal at the start of our summer vacation in the mountains of West Virginia, as he reminded me to be at rest, to be free, to be myself, to be with Love when I awaken: "We come to the Father's house; to rest with Him… to be put back in union with the Father,” he said.

When it was time to make the reservations to attend the vacation, I was hesitant. I knew I wanted to go. I belonged and I wanted to be with this friendship that helps me live. Because of the tension in my marriage over the last few years, I thought about attending alone. I am a believer; my husband is not. I had written a list for my husband in the ways I wanted him to change; he rejected my impositions telling me I would never be satisfied. In my begging God, "what do you want me to do?", I am like Peter, and He responds Love me, and I hear Fr. Lee's voice reminding me that my begging heart is enough. It was through the movement where I learned about myself, my own heart. It was only in me learning about myself and my freedom and recognizing my husband's freedom that I was given the courage to invite him to join me in this companionship (instead of attempting to impose it!). I was both glad and apprehensive when my husband responded “maybe," then “yes."

My husband prefers to be with me, but not with my Father, or with any engagement in religious activities. My old ways and my initial instinct to impose these things on him have changed to an invitation because of how the vacation was conducted—not as something “imposed” on us, but something to which we are “invited.” All the activities are beautiful invitations to things that are beautiful, from salsa dancing, to literature, to discussions of our work—and I realize my husband is not able to freely respond when I impose. So, following our method, I invite. This invitation to allow myself to be a part of this companionship, my need to be remembered… to be "re-membered," is for my husband, too, because we are one thing.

My husband and I took different paths offered on the big group hike and we met at the top of the mountain. We ate lunch together and together admired the beauty. We joined our friends in song. He sang—and we sang… together! Over the four days of the vacation, together with our friends, we read, we danced, we laughed, we shared meals, we sang. Freely, we were put back in union with our Father, to rest with Him… all because of an invitation to beauty without an imposition; because of something, it is difficult for the heart to resist.

Mary, Alexandria, VA