Friends
I went to a Quaker meeting today. Can you even believe that? Lauren is Quaker and she was kind enough to take me along. I've always been really curious about the denomination. Once, back in the magical age of early internet memes, I was deemed a better Secular Quaker than an atheist. Lauren talks about it really fondly, and it just sounded so nice, I figured I had to go.
It was really wonderful. We walked into the building and went into a nice huge classical living room with about fifty chairs arranged in facing the middle of the room. We sit down, and I immediately regret not turning off my phone already. It didn't ring, but just the noise of flipping the switch to vibrate was sooo loud. Then like three minutes later someone else turned off her phone and it actually made real noises, so clearly it was no big deal.
Then, no one moves or speaks, but there is just an unspoken amusment, because we hear The Brit. "Well hullo! I'm from BRITain!" Too difficult to continue. Just generally awesome. After the meeting he said to me, "Well, if life ever asks me to repeat itself - which I surely hope it won't! - I think I wouldn't have gone the the University of BRITain. No probably not the University of BRITain, but here at Chicago - that is...if they would HAVE me!!! Ho ho ho!"
Half an hour of silence. Just breath and squeaky chairs. In the next half hour, three or four people stood up and spoke. One talked about Ghandi and non-violence, another about feeling connected with the others at the meeting. I kind of wanted to give that second guy a hug. Especially when right before the meeting ended. He very calmly says, "May peace prevail on Earth and may it begin with me." I don't think I need to inform anyone reading this that I am NOT religious. I find the enitre concept a little hard to wrap my head around. But this man speaking was really speaking was really beautiful, even though he probably didn't say more than five sentences the entire time.
Afterwards everyone came to life and shook hands and said "Good morning." Then one man stood up and read announcements, while the regulars at the meeting laughed at inside jokes and generally became audibly connected instead of just spiritually.
Then we went downstairs and had fruit and coffee. Everyone was incredibly nice and welcoming. I met Eli, a very nice mentally challenged guy who really likes hugs and high fives, and got my physical contact quota for the week.
There's nothing that stands out as the defining moment. It was just generally a really great experience. I don't think I could do that every week, but is was just wonderful as a moment of peace.
posted by natalie @ 4:45 PM
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