I'm Not Leaving The Compound

the value of staying, and 70 is the new 40

photo, Jenny Allsop

My friend Erin reminded me of her travel mantra before I left for Guatemala: “You can go back.” I took it to heart when I arrived at Casa Paloma for Joyce's seventieth birthday party, and while others went on adventurous hikes, and visits to towns, I stayed put. I gave a dozen tarot readings which kept me busy enough, and we were gifted live music, a fire ritual from a local shaman, a cacao ceremony from our wondrous chef Rosa, morning yoga, and the most amazing meals. I had not the slightest desire to get on a boat or in the back of a pick up truck or even to walk the ten minutes to San Marcos. I stayed put.

After dinner every night we had talent show and tell. Stephen recited a Tennyson poem, Bob sang a song in his deep baritone, which awakened the sleeping mutt Sol, who ran to him howling with joy. One night Karen showed the documentary she recently finished about the life of her wonderful husband Gene Wilder. There were tears all around, and in Karen I met a true new friend, so freaking alive at eighty-two I had to hustle to keep up with her at dance night.

Laurie Buchar

There were twenty-two guests at this five day birthday party, and the rich, open conversations I had with every attendee were remarkable. Reading tarot is a gift for myself, because it allows me to get to know people quickly. More often than not my question “What’s going on for you?” resulted in long healing discussions, where the cards did their job, opening up possibilities and hope. The average age of the people I was with on Lake Atitlan was seventy, and the desire for self-reflection and making decisions to impact the next stage of this life was the common thread amongst all the people whose cards I read. Every last one of Joyce’s guests inspired me, and Chris too, to look at what we want going forward. If these vibrant seventy year old humans felt that they were in some ways just getting started, and at the same time each day could be the last, we realized we have a lot of living yet to do.

Sol the dog, photo Jenny Allsop

I have much more to say about this transformative trip. I am forever grateful to Joyce for allowing Chris and me to join the incredible festivities.

By staying put I got a lot of exercise:

I exercised my legs climbing the hundred steps to our casita.

I exercised my tarot muscles listening to my querents.

I exercised my Spanish skills speaking with Joyce’s incredible staff and Guatemalan visitors.

I exercised my mind talking to and learning from new friends.

I exercised my memory talking to Joyce and her older sister Rona about my family in the old days (definitely an upcoming post!).

I exercised restraint, even though I wasn’t the only enneagram type eight on the property (Joyce and Pastor Bob are also eights).

I exercised my heart, opening it to so many new people and experiences, and came home literally full in such a way I can share this fullness with others.

te amo guatemala y volvere.

more soon.

xo Hanna