Camp Memaw & Papa Joe: After the Final Rose

Symbolic of the beginning of our journey 10 days prior . . . foggy, stormy,
dark clouds, trapped . . .

It started out with 4 kids and 2 adults and a lot of fighting and disrespecting.  By the end of the journey I was amazed at the conversations and laughter that echoed through the RV.  We discovered that we were friends again; we enjoyed each other's company again.  It was a beautiful thing that I hope we can hold on to, at least until the next road trip.

I was inspired by another discovery on our journey, by something that I probably would never have known about if it weren't for having time to pay attention to small details.  This is something I hope to find more of . . . time to appreciate the small things.

During the journey through West Virginia, we continued to get glimpses of clusters of 3 crosses. After at least five occurrences of this, I decided to do some research to learn the origins of these crosses.

Here's what I found.  A minister, Bernard Coffindaffer (from West Virginia) was inspired to make a small difference in this world.  He "planted" 1,864 clusters of 3 crosses across 29 states, the District of Columbia, Zambia, and The Philippines.   We spotted around 15 of the 352 clusters that reside in West Virginia.

Ten years after Mr. Coffindaffer left this earth, his work had a profound affect on me.  While extremely simple visually, the crosses definitely made me stop and think.  I started to really pay attention to the country side which is absolutely breathtaking.  It was like an inspired version of "I spy" or "Where's Waldo."  To me, the crosses are small reminders of love, hope, and forgiveness.  Who doesn't need each of those in their life?

To think that one person made this happen and that his inspiration lives on well past his worldly life . . . it moves me to find the purpose and inspiration for which I was put on this earth.




Here is some more information on the Crosses Across America:  http://www.thecross-photo.com/Crosses_Across_America_Inc.htm




 

How appropriate.  Oh the things we learn while traveling
as a family across country!

The only casualty.  Shame on you Fat Amy!!

The perfect ending to a perfect journey . . . driving into the sunset holding my husband's hand, listening to
the ringing laughter of our 4 beautiful, loving children.