Sauntering Towards Bethlehem
some things fall apart, some things don't
We all need progress narratives. Here’s mine:
In the spring of 2024, one of my intrepid Queens College students told me she was doing the Great Saunter: walking around the entire 32-mile shoreline of Manhattan on the first Saturday in May. I was impressed and intrigued and resolved to do it myself. But then the friend I was going to walk with had to cancel last minute because of family illness, and I didn’t feel like going alone, so I bailed.
In May 2025, I walked with my old friend and new “Saunter Sister” Shirleen. I managed to make it 12 miles, from Fraunces Tavern to Fort Washington Park (under the GW Bridge), before giving up. Shirleen made it all the way around the top of the island and down to the Upper East Side.
In May 2026, Shirleen and I were both determined to do better than before. I made it from the bottom to the top of Manhattan and then down around to the Schomburg on East 135th— 20 miles and 48,522 steps! A lifetime best. And Shirleen actually finished the damn thing. It took her almost 15 hours.
My nation is reversing progress at lightning-rewind speed, my body is conspicuously aging and likely much closer to death than birth, and so it feels defiant, and even miraculous, to get stronger, build stamina, and become less flaky and more determined.
I’m not one to tempt fate, but I think there’s at least a chance that in 2027 I might finish the Saunter too.
Conspicuous Aging
Thanks to everyone came out to celebrate my birthday! I’m grateful to my brilliant former student Alpha Jalloh for documenting our evening (check out @telloursstudio on Instagram to see more of his work), and also to the Queensboro for making space for a big crowd on a busy night and giving me a free bottle of birthday cava.
Semisweet Hour of Prayer
Growing up, I used to go to prayer meeting every Wednesday night in a shag-carpeted church basement. Each week we would each be handed a photocopied piece of paper with prayer requests categorized under headings like “Health” and “Missionaries.” There was also a list of heathens whose conversions we were praying for; this category was tactfully called “The List.”
I don’t believe in the category of heathens anymore, but I do believe in prayer, and at the moment someone I love is standing in need of it. What we are asking for: angelic protection, deliverance from nets and traps, and the casting down of enemies (your basic imprecatory psalm stuff). I will share updates when I am at liberty to do so.
And, as always, pray for Impossible Light— the helpers, the people they are trying to help, the people they can’t help, and everyone in the path of war and genocide.
God-Shaped Links
I’m wrapping up with a link to a livestream of a soul-restoring concert I went to last night: Toshi Reagon sings Sacred Songs at Joe’s Pub. If you want to watch it, do it soon, since the link won’t be up for long.
Plus an invitation to the event of the season: A God-Shaped Book Party celebrating Brook Wilensky-Lanford’s latest magnum opus! Space is limited; RSVP here.
And, in case you missed it, a link to KtB’s truly glorious Poetry Month.
That’s all till June! God be with you till we meet again.
What a beautiful post. Thanks for sharing it with us.
The Great Saunter! Amazing! Loved this update <3