Sheila Sims Iding
Timothy…my world traveler. It seems like he was born that way…with a desire to travel the world. When growing up Joey’s bedroom had sports wallpaper. Adam’s bedroom had car wallpaper. Tim’s?…his had wallpaper of world globes. I must have known then. I am sure he knew then. When he was little he said he wanted to grow up and be a priest and “go to Texas or China to teach people about Jesus”. And now he lives in China… with a subtle mission of teaching people about Jesus. (I like to think God knew all along.)
But China isn’t enough for his wandering soul. Halfway around the world isn’t enough travel. He wants more. So this day in China he is heading to Moscow for yet another adventure. He is traveling alone. Not the best words a mom can hear. Last year when he went to Russia he was advised (by his Russian friends) to not go anywhere alone. They do not like Americans so it is best to be with a Russian or stay put. But “stay put” is not part of his wandering soul so he is taking his Canadian t-shirts and sweatshirts and hat hoping to not look American (?). He is ¼ Canadian so maybe he can pull it off. Still my heart (both the Canadian part and American part) worry.
But above my worry is his excitement. He has researched all the churches and cathedrals he wants to tour. (Churches and saints are always the very top of his itinerary.) He has even sent me pictures…not for my information but out of excitement for me to see what he can’t wait to see. He has mapped out the museums, the war memorials and the “places of interest” in his heart. He has carefully calculated the distance from his humble hostel to each place. He is ready to see more of the world…get more stamps in his worn passport…and make good use of the year-long visa to Russia about ready to expire.
So off he goes and he takes his worldly knowledge, his wandering soul, his theologian heart…and he leaves today. He will spend some time with Russian friends but mostly this “Canadian” will travel alone. His departure is tucked safely between the Feast of the Archangels and the Feast of Guardian Angels so I like to think that he is really not traveling alone. St. Raphael, patron saint of travelers is surely with him. His guardian angel is working overtime…but he is used to doing that for Tim. Tim repays that Guardian Angel with a devote and deep faith.
And me? I will pray to both Archangels and Guardian angels unceasingly. The world is a scary place these days. It gets scarier when you add in “traveling alone” and “they don’t like Americans”. But Tim is a wise traveler and he taught me well. Several years ago one of his first trips to China was canceled because of the Bird Flu epidemic. I even had the audacity to suggest that maybe China wasn’t a safe place to go and he should consider a “mission” at home. He told me then if “I stay here my body will be safe but my soul will die.” Enough said. It was then I knew that his soul was meant to travel, explore, discover…and wander.
Safe travels my Timothy Patrick Dominic Iding. My prayers surround you and my worried heart is so happy for you as you explore new worlds, visit and pray in your beloved cathedrals, get more stamps in your passport, add more memories to your travels and take your wandering soul…wandering. Go with God. God bless and God speed.