Road Journals – Easter 2008
-Part I-
“Miracles, in the sense of phenomena
That we cannot explain,
Surround us on every hand.
Life itself, is the miracle of miracles.”
George Bernard Shaw
At the end of the historic old Santa Fe Trail
Lies the charming old Spanish village of Santa Fe
Originally called The Royal City of St. Francis of Assisi
Founded 10 years before Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth Bay
And near the grand old Cathedral of St. Francis
Stands the historic Loretto Chapel, built in 1878
Its old wooden staircase still draws many visitors
And its builder’s identity remains a mystery today
This mystifying staircase was built in the summer of 1881
It was constructed by a very mysterious, bearded, old man
He responded to a nun’s prayers, for stairs to the choir loft
And simply showed up one night, with his simple tools in hand
They say that he worked on this staircase alone each day
Some say the wood he used is not indigenous to Santa Fe
This old winding staircase has no visible means of support
Making two 360 degree turns, quite impressive, even today
This unknown bearded carpenter vanished when it was done
The nuns at the chapel never got to pay him or learn his name
Some today still believe that this carpenter was really St. Joseph
Others believe that he might have been another carpenter of fame
One theory is that he was a very renowned German woodworker
By the name of Yohan Hadwigger, who had migrated to Santa Fe
And another theory claims that he was a Frenchman named Rochas
But neither of their many descendents, can prove it to this very day
Every time that we visit Santa Fe, New Mexico
We like to visit this chapel and gaze at these stairs
They were also constructed without using any nails
In this Land of Enchantment, miracles are everywhere
As we left this old chapel, we saw a wondrous wildflower
And we spotted a very young child, being hugged by her dad
As we gazed into a store front window, a tiny kitten gazed back
And for each of these miracles of life, my spouse and I were glad
©2008, Mr. Ed
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Peace,
Dan
After reading it, and returning to the stairs again, and appreciating not only the engineering marvel of their construction, but also that only one man did it - and almost 127 years ago, with no power tools whatsoever - and did freely, with no pay - by GOD - it is a true miracle!
An old black and white movie comes to my mind - Sidney Poitier was the Carpenter, doing work for a Nunnery - "Lilies of The Field!" I highly recommend this beautiful story about human interaction.
Words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, encouraging his followers not to worry about their worldly needs: ÒWhy take ye thought for raiment [clothing]? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I say unto you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
Whoever that bearded old carpenter was - he was definitely SENT BY GOD!
Thank you for sharing this with us, ED! Peace ... Tom.
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
That image - sighhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Be always safe,
Karen
Fee
Love Tinka
Micke
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :D
Regis
Newfie Hugs, Rose
Have a great day,,, {Just got your book in the mail}.
Christine