Gratitude and Hope

I said goodbye to my friend and housemate yesterday. I found myself a little numb - grateful, sad, empty, full - grieving.

We started this intercommunity house three years ago. There were several in the discussion, but I was the only one able to move in. It was a year and a half before another sister was able to move in. Then after another year and a half, she was called by her community to move on, and to engage in formation ministry for her community, out-of-state.
It's all good, and I knew it was coming, but I still found myself numb after she drove away. We have had some great conversations, some good times, and it has been great being companions on the journey for a while. I am also looking forward to others who will be able to move in and share this sacred space for community. (Let me know if you're interested)
At this time, I thank God for my wider ecovillage community. They are vibrant, enthusiastic, committed. They are wonderful people. But I am looking forward in hope to having someone to share the more intimate community of the house. Sharing prayer, meals and the projects around the house and garden. Someone to share the ups and downs of ministry and the spiritual life.
We were together for just over a year. And when we can share community for longer, the quality of our being together mellows and matures. It is also critical to have these comings and goings that keep us from growing stale in our relationships.
So it's all good. I love the hopes, the joys, the possibilities that religious life brings me.
Peace,
Amy