Musing on the “Peace Maze"

I was in awe and wonder as I viewed the confusing network of pathways at Castlewellan, Northern Ireland. I learned that this 2 mile pathway and hornbeam hedges on a 3 acre land once held the world record as the largest and longest maze. It represents peace for the future of Ireland. So the name Peace Maze.

Walking through it is solving a puzzle on how to find the exit. One has to retrace paths which failed to show him the right way. If he succeeds he has to ring a bell situated at the center of the maze where a bridge leads to the exit.

I tried to solve the puzzle by walking through the intricate path but time and threat of the rain cut short my attempt. I heard my grandchildren and their friends talking in Irish accent on the other side of the bushes but I couldn't see them until finally they showed me an opening to pass through in order to reach the center. Some mean fellows must have cut hedges and wire to create passage to the bridge. That was cheating if one wishes to get into the intricacies of the maze. I made an easy way out bereft of the satisfaction of sweating out a solution to the puzzle.

I joined the group on the bridge where I could see the panoramic view of the maze. There I imagined the architect who designed the puzzle. He could master which path leads to another, I told myself.

I mused.

Life is a long and intricate path or maze. One could get out of the confusion if he cheats. But how long could he hold on to life's joys if guilt continues to gnaw his conscience.

Mine was a long and arduous journey and I was never in a hurry to reach the end. Not getting my thoughts off the maze I was thinking of instances when I could have cheated life.

What if I gave up in keeping my family as my priority because of selfish ambitions? Would my son be generous enough to tour me around 4 Asian countries? A daughter and son-in-law who could give me a chance to see this Emerald isle and another son who could keep business going despite our absence from home?

What if I was not true to my marriage vows? Would my husband grow old with me to see different places and experience varied cultures?

What if I was too selfish to share my meager income to my siblings who were then struggling for their education?

Could my sister in London be there for me to show me around the place as I relive history? Could another sibling meet us all the way from Italy, just for family bonding? I don't plan all these things to end this way, I just took one step at a time inside life's maze.

I have passed through life's puzzling problems with God as my guide. I have so many failures while trudging along. Often times I retraced my paths only to find the right way through God's leading. He was and always will be my architect for He knows which path leads to another. He knows it from the beginning to end.

I am now standing on life's bridge after going out of the maze. Straight ahead is the exit but it is still morning in my life delaying my way out.

Khalil Gibran said, "None can reach dawn without traveling the road of night".