Spending time with a Legend

It’s not every day that you find yourself in the company of a Nobel Peace Prize winner and worldwide legend.  The wonderful people at the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre have this honor every day.  I have gone back and forth on whether to post about this, but in reflection, I am so impressed by Archbishop Tutu’s love for life and people, genuine happiness, and jovial nature, I had to express my honor to spend time with him.  Thanks to some wonderful people, we had the honor of having tea with the Archbishop on Wednesday and attending a prayer service lead by the Archbishop on Friday morning.  When arriving for the tea, I must admit I felt awkward, that I was intruding on an office ritual, but within seconds of being there, not only the staff but the Archbishop made me feel silly for worrying.  Joined by staff, family, and three Dutch reporters, we all laughed, listened, and enjoyed the humor, insight, and intellect of the Archbishop.  At one point he even interrupted himself mid-sentence to ask one of the media crewman if he had had tea yet and why he wasn’t joining us, simply desiring more warmth and humanity around him.

Our second experience, a small prayer service at the well-known St. George’s Anglican Cathedral, began early and cold, but we soon were warmed by the love and hope in the small chapel of St. George’s.  Aside from the service taken from the prayer book, the Archbishop spoke for humanity and peace, an enlightening and uplifting service.  He even paused the service to welcome all visitors and had each of us stand, introduce ourselves and our homes, and appeared genuinely honored that we had come.  We left, each receiving the blessing of the Archbishop, with a smile on our face and a lighter heart.  Thank you, Archbishop Tutu, for your wisdom, your actions, your example, and your hospitality.