Settling into the hermit life has times of transition which are difficult. There are times in which the present moment requires interaction with people, such as keeping in contact with family in a visit.
Yes, Bl. Paul Giustiniani or Dom Leclercq say that family must visit the hermit, but charity in this case seems to rule that the hermit visit the adult children when required in love.
Then, there are the errands. Getting the hermitage set up for long-term hibernation is not a quick process. The pottery purchased for guests to eat on is put away--except for a couple of pieces with flaws which need to be returned and exchanged. Another trip to the store. The loan still needs modification and another closing, more phone calls, a trip to the title company. Some soaps need to be exchanged.
From one day of many errands and much driving, of visiting and shopping to get a birthday gift for a daughter, of doing as they desired (and not out of line of charity by any means but just busy and much sitting), then forgetting some guests wanting to come to the hermitage and dining with them, but with much spiritual conversation--it has been very busy and not the nine s' other than a form of selflessness, one might suppose. Then, thanks be to God and the pain, and for a day of total nine s' until time to go to Mass in late afternoon--it is quite an extreme shift.
I suppose a baseball pitcher learns to make transitions smoothly, yes. From one batter to the next, the pitcher adapts and adjusts accordingly--but still pitches, still focuses on what he is to be and to do.
I must stop fussing over the effort, the ups and downs, and just be and do. Take each moment as it presents itself and strive in the nine s' as much as possible. Andrew the Heron was back, and today he stood on the grassy bank and watched the water. It was odd that he was not wading and fishing. Maybe this was a transition day for him, also. He seemed unperturbed.
