MIDWAY between every person and that unfeeling monolith
called “institution” or ’ ‘establishment’ ’ there
should be a special person — a friend, advisor, helper —
someone who’s experienced enough to “know,” but able still
to feel how it was not to belong, not to be sure.

That someone ought to be in the world, but not of the
world — able to lead, but willing to walk side by side, even
when such a walk may be an open invitation to disaster.
His notion of love is doing and sharing, not talking and
keeping. The meanings he assigns to the joys and tragedies
of life are fashioned out of his own experience and through
his ready sharing of the experiences of others — honestly
concerned and openly crying when others suffer, and hon-
estly caring and openly rejoicing when others find happi-
ness.

Midway between — always aware that God is interested
in him, but also in every man — always aware of the ten-
sion between serving others to forward the self and serving
others despite that same self. Midway — a caring receiving
island in a huge and hostile sea — a center for repair and
rest and refreshment.

Midway between — a fearsome and beautiful place to be :
a place one must consciously choose again and again when
common sense and self -concern and the voice of the elders
call to a higher more secure place. Midway between — each
decision a risk, each experience a fresh discovery, each en-
counter a touch from the hand of God.

Midway between — a great place for a chaplain to be.