Makes the Journey
I continue to hike the Appalachian Trail through the book Hiking Through: One Man's Journey to Freedom and Peace on the Appalachian Trail. Every day I take a few chapters with Paul Stutzman, the author, and one or two hiking buddies who joined up along the way.
Trail Magic! That's what is called--unexpected gifts left by others on the AT for others to find. It even be Twinkies--remember them? Or, then there are groups which set up grills and cook at popular shelters. Others wait with cars to shuttle weary hikers into town for a hot meal and hotel. Other groups form and set out the next day. Trail Magic represent all forms of free gifts with no strings attached which meet the hiker's needs. And from what I have read--it really does make the difference.
Caritas--that's the Greek word used in the New Testament for the gift of grace--no strings attached. Sometimes caritas represents a spiritual gift such as compassion. We see that "trail magic" for the Good Samaritan who stops along the way and cares for the traveler mugged and left to die. It happens with specific, tangible gifts but is first motivated from the inner spirit to give. Stutzman guesses that people who leave trail magic are those who have been out on the AT, know what it can mean, and break their necks to pass on the gifts---no strings attached. Well maybe the strings of common experience out of which all compassion is usually born.
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