The above title of a wonderful little book for children (and adults) by Cooper Edens is in itself an invitation to reflection.

The opening page of the delightful little book sets the scene:

This very night

while you lie quietly in your bed,

open your eyes.

Now, look out your window!

For even at this yawning hour,

so many of your friends

are working to keep

the world magical.

For me, Kirkridge has been a “Caretaker of Wonder.” As pilgrims in the world, we find our way there for soul renewal. There, we meet other souls on the same journey. They, too, may be looking for meaning during restless times of wakefulness at night, wondering about family and friends, and even those in far-flung places of the universe who touch us and are affected by us in ways we cannot fathom.

The book is filled with whimsical drawings of mythical figures with the assigned tasks of keeping the moon company, feeding him when he’s too thin and watching his diet when he’s too full. They’re also weaving the meadows and telling trees where to stand-all of them working behind the scenes.

The last page challenges the reader to help with the many tasks of keeping the world magical, inviting us all to become one of the Caretakers of Wonder.

At Kirkridge, we sit at the feet of presenters who share their experience of being rooted in the mystical traditions that enliven our own spirituality, inviting us to nourish our growing understanding about our particular place in the universe.

We take time for reflection with those who lead us in small group meditations about living in peace. How do we become peacemakers?

Eloquent poets take us on a journey celebrating poetry and the human spirit; we keep those magical words alive, and learn to listen for their message of how to care for the wondrous world around us. We may find our own focus through the use of poetry and clay to care for our own souls, to become better caretakers.

Sometimes the role of caretaker takes on new dimensions that require us to learn how to forgive, modeled on God’s forgiveness. Or write our own personal creed, or harvest the wisdom of our lives.

One of the wonders of Kirkridge is to arrive there and begin to breathe deeply of the surroundings. In all seasons, the beauty of those hills and valleys in the shadow of the Mountain, remind us of the loving care given to this sacred place by others who have walked its paths. We marvel as we remember those before us, and join the crowd of witnesses whose lives have intersected ours for the many years that Kirkridge has opened its heart to travelers on the journey. Its warm hospitality greeting us with familiar smiling faces and hearty and delicious food, in an environment that has obviously been cared for so lovingly, is like coming home.

– by Marcia Gleckler