On our family road trip to the Grand Canyon, we decided to take a leisurely shuttle to see the various viewpoints. Our driver was surprisingly convincing, encouraging us to get off at the first overlook. We spent ample time looking at the splash of colors painted across the canyon and watched mules make their way towards the Colorado River. But then we realized we missed some important information from our bus driver. The only option for getting back to the visitor center was to keep walking to the next overlook.
A mile isn’t that far. A mile with anxious parents and a narrow row of rocks that serves as the barrier between pathway and canyon is pretty nerve wracking. The pathway from the first overlook to the second was called, “The Trail of Time.” With every few steps we took, a marker informed us upon how many millions of years in history we were walking. And the years traversed backwards…further into a time impossible to imagine.
My husband said, “Look down at the history markers!” And with me concentrating on our balance, I replied, “I’m just going to look forward.” But upon reflection, it’s clear that relationship to historical memory is exactly that: standing firmly upon the shoulders of those that came before us. Appreciating messages of faith, stories infused with spirit that shape our own personalities, and a connection to a heritage that enriches our sense of resilience and strength. Each human is connected by a “trail of time.” A constant traveling that allows us to honor the past and encourages us to keep moving, walking towards dreams inspired by long-ago.
Rabbi Nicole Guzik is a rabbi at Sinai Temple. She can be reached at her Facebook page at Rabbi Nicole Guzik. For more writings, visit Rabbi Guzik’s blog section from Sinai Temple’s website.
