Dear Honey Run Friends,
In my last letter, I wrote about perspective: keeping hard times in check and holding steady to our good fortunes for sustenance through life’s occasional downturns. Since then, in the span of two weekends, I’ve managed to experience both ends of that spectrum. I witnessed a particularly shocking event while in Atlanta for a business trip, and I’ve been working toward putting it in perspective back here at Honey Run.
I was sitting at a traffic light on my way to dinner in Atlanta Saturday night when, just 30 feet behind my vehicle, a drive-by shooting took place. As the reality of the situation becomes clearer to me, the reasons behind it become less and less comprehensible. The question I’m left with is why — why are we able to treat fellow human beings so poorly? How can we forget the value of life to the point of willingness to take it away so easily?
Exactly one week later, I found myself leaving our new barn after midnight bottle-feeding our first lamb of the season. As I stepped out of the barn and looked up, the aura of a perfect night struck me. The stars shone brightly, constellations in full view. The night was cool, about 40 degrees, and the breeze in my face brought a moment of clarity.
I looked down the hill to see the trail of lights illuminating our drive, everything except the blacktop coated with pure white snow. Back in the sky, I searched for the moon. Hidden behind some low clouds on the horizon, its reflection painted their borders. I paused, in awe of the beauty in front of me and grateful for the chance to witness it.
The question of why there is so much pain, fear, and anger in this world will never be answered to my satisfaction, but then there are nights like this night that seem a million miles away from all of the evil that surrounds our little slice of heaven. Just the innocence of a three-day-old lamb and the naïveté of an innkeeper on a cool, quiet, spectacularly perfect January night at The Inn at Honey Run.
Your marveled friend,
Jason
Jason,
I truly enjoy your newsletters. And, this current one is special. We are very fortunate living in the less crowded areas of Ohio. The landscapes that God paints for us each day is a blessing. And, now the birth of Annie at Honey Run Inn will bring much enjoyment to all. Over night or a weekend at Honey Run is one that I always look forward to. Keep up the good work in making our time spent there delightful.
Barbara
Jason that was beautiful thanks for the reminder!
Thank you for the very meaningful thoughts. Several years ago (maybe 25 yrs.) I enjoyed Honey Run for a weekend with my elderly mother (Ruth Kimpel, her treat). Now she is gone, and I’m the elderly mother wishing for a weekend retreat at Honey Run, but the cost seems prohibitive, and I wonder if the old car would make it. Beautiful Annie, the lamb! Sincerely, “Mary annie”
Thank you for your newsletter and thoughts, Jason. Your inn has been a favorite retreat from our urban and surburban lives, where news accounts of such shootings are common, and so many people value life far too cheaply.
Enjoy your columns, Jason, this one in particular was poetically crafted. Keep the natural reflections coming that you capture well.
Hi Jason,
Thank you so much for sharing such a painful personal experience along with the thoughtful processing you went through. The Inn is indeed a special place of peace and natural beauty which helps toward healing in difficult times and provides a wonderful place for contemplation.
I look forward to my next visit……
Sherry
Thanks for your letters. I’m so glad you are Honey Run’s Innkeeper and I hope to visit and meet you this year.
Barbara
Annie is adorable! Jason, what a gift after the experience in Atlanta. It is always amazing to me how the beautiful and unpleasant reside next to one another. Thanks for your thoughts. My spouse and I have been coming to the Inn since it opened. We live 30 minutes north of the Inn. Yet each time we arrive we are transported into a timeless atmosphere. Your support staff… the folk who have daily interaction with the guests… are exceptional! Once again, thanks for a look at Annie. JoAnne
Thanks for verbalizing what so many of us feel. How do we stem the tide of violence in out country? Perhaps it starts with you and so many more speaking out . Will visit your beautiful inn this next weekend.
I loved reading your story. Your journey. I am sorry for the painful experience. Hopefully we all meet more people like you. Hope to meet you some time at the Inn
Jason,
Your letter describing such a traumatic event in your life as well as such an amazing event were so very
inspiring and thoughtful. My husband and I have visited Honey Run several times and have loved to sit on the patio of our honeycomb room and look up at the beautiful night sky and enjoy the wonderful and awe inspiring universe. Thank you for sharing what we have felt while staying at your wonderful inn.
Bill and Connie
I’m so glad you shared this with your inn guests, Jason. I could almost place myself there on the magical night at the inn that you described. While I share your bewilderment on the horrific tragedies that surround us I will keep in mind the vision you shared of such perfect nature, peace and innocent beauty. Looking forward to a piece of this on Feb 19 <3
Your message is so thought provoking. Our world is full of scary things. My husband and I have often spoken about the peaceful way we feel when we arrive in Amish country. It is a physical feeling of tension draining. We love The Inn at Honey Run and wait for specials so that we can return. Thank you for all that you do to keep it a haven.
Helen
My husband and I are looking forward to the peacefulness and beauty you describe this coming weekend! Our favorite room is reserved and our tummies are ready for a wonderful Anniversary weekend!
I have never been to your Inn. I did subscribe and receive your E-mail news letters as I keep looking for the time and event that we can afford and enjoy such a beautiful environment as a family. Your Inn at Honey Run offers all that and more every time I visit your site.
With that being said, I must address your letter. The first thing I encountered when getting on line today was the burning of the Jordain pilot by ISS. The headline was all the further that I could go!
Just a bit ago I opened your E-Mail about your first baby Lamb, and your scheduled Family Visits dates. I then saw your letter and began reading.about your experience. I just wanted to Thank You for giving me something so very beautiful to envision rather than the horrible things that one human being can do to another human being without a second thought. Your verbal and thought provoking words about a Beautiful, Calming night time sky filled with Bright Stars and Moon light reminded me of the time I read about looking up, “Did you ever think those Brightest Stars were not really Stars at all, but loved ones, filled with enough Love for everyone, watching over us to keep us safe, and to remind us what Love can accomplish !”
Thank you Jason for pointing out the the Beauty of living on this Earth, the Beauty of all things Good and Wonderful before us, and the fact that we can make a difference by sharing our Love and Kindness.. I know I have gotten carried away with my words, and that I should say more about your special Inn, but I left that to all the others who have commented before me.
Thanks for a marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you
could be a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and will eventually come
back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage you to
continue your great work, have a nice afternoon!