C.S. Lewis!

 The high point of this day was a fifteen-minute drive to the home of C.S. Lewis.  It is technically in Oxford, although it is a suburb. We drove down a typical neighborhood road. No large signs broadcasting that this is an important place. No parking lots, no gift shops, no souvenirs emblazoned with C S. Lewis.

The home hasn't been open to the public in well over a year.  It is called "The Kiln." 

"The C.S. Lewis Study Centre at The Kilns was dedicated in July 2002 to serve as a focal point of Christian hospitality, study, reflection and learned conversation between Christian scholars, artists, and laity the world over. To this end, the Foundation provides ways in which one may experience “life at The Kilns”:

Throughout the year, The Kilns is home to a small intentional Christian community of visiting scholars and advanced graduate students, all engaged in some aspect of research and study at Oxford University."       - http://www.cslewis.org/ourprograms/thekilns/

It was obviously inhabited by the people who are studying there, so we didn't go much closer.  In a few weeks, I understand we will be able to reserve a tour.  I would love to do that. It was in this lovely cottage that he wrote Chronicles of Narnia and other classics.

We drove about five minutes to the church he attended for thirty-five years.  Just like the lovely old neighborhood, the church was not a magnificent and ornate cathedral but a humble little country church, which probably has not changed since Lewis was alive.

We parked on a street and then walked some distance down a beautiful wooded pathway to where the church was nestled in forested hills and a charming cemetery.

Inside, it was reverent and quiet. Outside in the cemetery, it was reverent and quiet, and made me feel like everyone sleeping there was at absolute peace. We walked around for quite awhile. We snapped a picture of Lewis's grave.

Isn't it odd. I have adored his books - like millions of other people have. In my mind, he is a giant of a man, almost a super hero. He is quoted frequently in general conference. Yet, this quiet place does not boast or call attention to itself. He would probably prefer that. He died the same day that JFK was assassinated, and so his death wasn't made much of.

As we walked the long green path to the car, we met a nice English gentleman out taking his dog for a walk. SK engaged him in a conversation about his dog.  SK told him why we are here, and he in turn, shared a bit of his life story - in that wonderful uppercrust British accent. I love how often people here answer with a question that isn't meant to be answered, such as: "We wouldn't want that now, would we?"

It sounds like he has made several fortunes.  He is probably in his sixties, and he is a Buddhist. He teaches others how to meditate etc, and he is heavily involved with various charities.  He gives just about 50% of his time to charitable work.

I love to meet people like that!

Later in the day, we stood in line for nearly an hour to pick up a couple of medications. Since it is the downtown store, it is generally swamped. I sat beside a woman from Trinidad who was fuming about the poor service. 

She asked me if I knew where to get the rapid test for COVID. I pointed to a little door where I had seen several people stop. The people who had lined up for that door looked particularly down on their luck. I wondered if they were homeless. Yet they were cheerful with each other. The woman beside me, remarked, 

"Oh No! they are not here for COVID tests, they are here for their dose of Methadone." How sad. I'm certain some were internally screaming out for the relief the medication would bring.

I was probably being a bit judgmental about them as I sat in the comfort of a chair waiting for the medication. Their clothing was in bad shape, their teeth were rotting, and they were loud with each other.

Then it occurred to me that if Jesus were here now, they are exactly the people he would seek out to heal.

I think C.S. Lewis had something to say about that.