I’ve noticed the two words I use most often on the road are generosity and wow. It feels important to record examples of both as nothing-too-small counterweights in our current perilous season.
I parked my van Monday evening in the driveway of Morgan Varner and Charisse Matlock’s new home in Iowa City. They had finished the laborious process of moving just a few days before. Most of the second-priority boxes and where-should-we-put-this items are stacked in the garage. Morgan also completed the 468-mile RAGBRAI bicycle trek on Saturday. There was a short family trip about the same time, which had Morgan and Charisse arriving home late Sunday night. So, you know, just a few things going on.
With all that, it’s safe to assume Monday was not the ideal time to be hosting a wild-haired traveler and his slobbery, cat food-thieving dog. And yet there we were, enjoying Burger Monday at a neighborhood restaurant, with Tamar tied to the patio railing. Fellow ManKind Project friend Andrew Levitt joined us to make a foursome. We unpacked the numerological significance of Morgan and Charisse’s wedding on 9/27/2025. And there we were again on Tuesday morning in their sitting room, with empty shelves silently waiting for books to emerge from the garage. Charisse provided rooibos tea and turkey bacon and juicy strawberries and read a Dylan Thomas poem that she’d memorized in high school. Morgan read two of his own powerful poems: Skull Flower and The Book of Anheuser.
One of my favorite poems, The Kingfisher, includes this heart punch of a line: Hunger is the only story he has ever heard in his life that he could believe. I understand that. I love the poem enough to get a kingfisher tattooed on my forearm. I wouldn’t presume to edit Mary Oliver. But my experience of spirit and an abundant universe during a month on the road suggests an amendment: Generosity is the only story he has heard in his life that he can believe. Thank you, Morgan and Charisse, for providing a lovely example.
The Rev. Kimberlee Osborn of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Neb., is another real-life superhero whose power is generosity. My boondocking app told me St. Andrew’s hosts RV travelers. When I arrived Tuesday, I chose the shadiest corner of the church parking lot because the forecast high was 98 degrees. Pastor Kim graciously invited Tamar and me to spend the afternoon in the air-conditioned comfort of the coffee hall instead. She petted Tamar, pointed out the water fountain and sat down to chat. I’m not sure how our conversation unfolded — probably a miracle was involved — but a few minutes later Kim said, “It’s really all about kindness and compassion, isn’t it? Everything else is just details.” That may not be theologically groundbreaking. But it certainly is radical. Amen, preacher.
Later, Tamar and I were relaxing outside the van to catch the breeze. I watched Pastor Kim approach from the parsonage with something in her hand. It was a collection of gifts, thoughtfully selected for a pilgrim: a large measuring cup, oven pads, a dish towel, a devotions pamphlet and a copy of the church’s latest newsletter. I was moved to tears. I assume Kim as the lone pastor has more responsibilities than time. And yet here she was, inhabiting the role of Good Samaritan. What is a more profound reflection of generosity and grace than pointing out the water fountain to a sweaty least-of-these wanderer? What is a more powerful sacrament than a dish towel? Wow.
If you want proof the universe is indeed benevolent, I recommend finding yourself a camper van.
GRATITUDE: Huge thanks to Morgan, Charisse and Pastor Kim. Thanks to David Kaar for conversations that inspire and bless. Thank to Cassandra and Blue Darling for doing the work to become channels and for sharing their received guidance so generously. Thanks to Edmond Manning for a conversation Sunday, hilarious as usual, and for buying dinner. Thanks to Elaine Wolf for the birthday gift of a magnetic map, which attracts notice everywhere.
“I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it. People think pleasing God is all God cares about. But any fool living in the world can see it always trying to please us back.” — Alice Walker
the joy economy 