Yep, leaving.<\/p>\n
You leave every time you conclude a journey to start another one.<\/p>\n
Come to think of it, it\u2019s been ever since we were conceived that we\u2019re leaving. Many stages. None conclusive.<\/p>\n
Sometimes it’s good to turn around and look at them. Above all to understand what we want to keep in our backpack of travelers \/ pilgrims.<\/p>\n
It must be light. It must still have room inside to welcome new things.<\/p>\n
And so \u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03c1\u03c4\u03af\u03b6\u03bf\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd: we prepare our ship, mend our nets … Yes, navigating the seas and walking are naturally similar…<\/p>\n
What to take with you from our Greek lessons?<\/p>\n
I cannot know what each of you will keep. However I know what it is that I will keep. I, who might seem not to leave … and instead every time I start with a new group, I too “leave”.<\/p>\n
In my backpack there is the beauty of communicating: by now I know that it is only by listening to the word together that flashes of deeper understanding are born.<\/p>\n
There is love for the word that I always want to hear.<\/p>\n
There is memory: “leaving is in part dying” is sometimes said; it\u2019s true, because we are separated; but to remember \u2013 \u201cricordare\u201d in Italian \u2013 is to return to the heart (cor, cordis in Latin is the heart); and we always carry the heart with us.<\/p>\n
You ask me what I wish you.<\/p>\n
Well, it’s all here already …<\/p>\n
In a side pocket of your backpack I put all the affection and esteem that I have for you.<\/p>\n
– Umba<\/p>\n
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