Pilgrimage

 Pilgrimage

Chimayo, New Mexico

"And I blessed God that I was free to wander,

free to hope,

and free to love."

~Robert Louis Stevenson

Resources on Pilgrimage

Life as Pilgrimage with Dean Robert Willis of Canterbury Cathedral and Ed Bacon (2013)

A Pilgrim's Progress sermon by Dean Robert Willis of Canterbury Cathedral (2013)

The English Pilgrimage To Canterbury Cathedral | Pilgrimage With Simon Reeve | Timeline

Pilgrimage With Simon Reeve: Jerusalem | Absolute History

"And I blessed God that I was free to wander,

free to hope,

and free to love."

~Robert Louis Stevenson

If, by Rudyard Kipling

 

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

~Rudyard Kipling

Chimayo in the snow

 

Steven Albert Buffington “Steve”

January 23rd, 2024

It is with great sadness that the family of Steven Albert Buffington (Steve), announce his passing on January 17, 2024, at the age of 79. He was surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor his legacy by leading with kindness and compassion. His battle with serious medical issues in recent years demonstrated his toughness. He confronted them all with a smile on his face, a thumb’s up and with a desire to recover. Despite these difficulties, Steve stayed strong until his last breaths. Steve, the most loving and devoted husband and father, is survived by his wife, Mercedes, and his daughters and their families: Melissa (Jason Marggraf) and granddaughter Maura; Abigail (Matthew York), granddaughters Lucinda and Julia. Preceding Steve in death is their son, Steve Buffington Jr. (Jake). Steve and Mercedes’s love story began as a blind date that blossomed into a marriage lasting 54 years. Steve’s loyalty to his family was unwavering. He was a constant presence at school and sporting events even coaching his son’s little league teams. He never missed a significant milestone in his children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Steve was born on April 12, 1944, to Samuel and Ruth Buffington in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. He spent most of his childhood in Bluefield, West Virginia after his father’s promotional work relocation. Growing up in Bluefield was a source of pride for him where he made lifelong friends. He graduated from the prestigious College of William and Mary with a bachelor’s degree. He continued to support his alma mater through donations and watching all televised sporting events he could. Steve had a strong devotion to God and faith. He served on the Vestry and was a member of the church choir for many years. He also loved to sing, his love of music was boundless. Classic rock gave him endless joy that he passed on to his children (which stayed and comforted him until his last moments). Steve will be remembered as a die-hard Eagles fanatic followed closely by the Phillies and always rooting for our local sports teams, hit em low, hit em high…..Steve dedicated his life to the banking industry spending most of his career at PNC Bank. He was remembered as a hardworking, dependable team player who advocated for every client. He was routinely recognized for his dedication to his client relationships. Steve’s impact in this lifetime is unmeasurable due to his generous spirit and genuine warmth to anyone he encountered. Everyone’s day got a little better when Steve was around. Inspired by Gordon Lightfoot lyrics, Steve was as “fine as fine could be”. Should anyone desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Post-Polio Syndrome Foundation as Steve was a polio survivor and proud of his ability to overcome many of its effects throughout his lifetime, particularly in his final years (https://post-polio.org/support-us/donate/). The family would like to thank the staff at Cathedral Village in Philadelphia for the love and care they showed Steve in his final days. Steve’s life will be celebrated in late Spring with a memorial service. 

I lift up my eyes