How Do You Spell Albuquerque?

Another conference last week. I was in Albuquerque, New Mexico—The Land of Enchantment. It took me weeks of practice to learn to spell Albuquerque. So many U’s. But I was enchanted. I’m in disaster services, and hundreds of us came together from all over the country—to learn, to share, to celebrate our successes, to grieve our many losses.

I came back to San Francisco a little changed. I’m not sure why. Maybe it was the people there. They were friendly, but that wasn’t it. They seemed to me to be closer to God there. I don’t know if it was the incredible beauty of the stark landscape against sheer mountains, the strong presence of Native American history still living strong, old friends that I’d seen, or the new friends I made there.

Whatever it was, I am changed. I’d lost God over the past few years. Not by any dramatic moment, I just drifted away as I aged and changed so dramatically in my own life. But the people there—in New Mexico—they know God. They know God. Whether the Native American Spirit that guides all life, or the God of my ancestors, they don’t doubt. And those few days have sparked hope in me again.

I never thought I’d leave San Francisco. But I told my partner and love that I’d follow her to New Mexico (where she’s been trying to get me to go for years) when we retire in 5 years. I will go now. Something happened to me there. I’m still not sure what it was—maybe I just am so danged proud that now I can finally spell—Albuquerque.