Thirty-three years ago tonight was the first time that my ex-husband and I, who had been friends for 7 years, moved our relationship from friends into something that led to marriage and children. June 9 after that was a date I noticed, and in many of the years since then remarkable things have happened for me on that day.

One of my earliest inspirations and mentors in spiritual life is St. Therese of Lisieux. I have read every recorded word of hers, and for many years read something from her writing every day. I went to Lisieux in France to explore where she lived and stepped from earth to heaven for those hours I spent with her there. I was fascinated to read that one of her most extraordinary visions of Jesus happend on June 9, and she always considered it a holy day for her, just as I had for many years before I read that.

Today is June 9. I woke up with a dream that I believe marks an important breakthrough, have touched some deep chords in my personal journey today, and am leaving in two days on a big adventure – Africa, Kenya, here I come. There is an exquisite mathematics to the universe. When the markers like this come around, I cannot help but marvel with wonder, and with humble gratitude.