4 Test Drive Finders were leaving the clearing. It was night with a full moon as our spotlight. Tonight was the last night of the month, the night us Finders continue our travels. Some of us left in smalls groups of twos or threes, others left alone. Children of ten years were hugged and kissed and left alone; it was their time to find their own path in the mountains. The clearing was emptied of tents and fire places; once all the Finders were gone it would be like we were never there. The br...

3 Watching the Rose Opening my eyes, and fighting a major headache, I tried to gather my thoughts. Where the hell was I? Sitting up, I gazed around the room, for it was a room. I was in a tent, black, and on a mattress bed covered with a white quilt. A quilt? In this weather? Then Savio walked in holding a cup of water and everything came back. I remembered our conversation and my choice of accepting Father Echo’s gift. I lifted my shirt; I had placed my hand on my stomach before I blacked ou...

3 Watching the Rose Opening my eyes, and fighting a major headache, I tried to gather my thoughts. Where the hell was I? Sitting up, I gazed around the room, for it was a room. I was in a tent, black, and on a mattress bed covered with a white quilt. A quilt? In this weather? Then Savio walked in holding a cup of water and everything came back. I remembered our conversation and my choice of accepting Father Echo’s gift. I lifted my shirt; I had placed my hand on my stomach before I blacked ou...

3 Watching the Rose Opening my eyes, and fighting a major headache, I tried to gather my thoughts. Where the hell was I? Sitting up, I gazed around the room, for it was a room. I was in a tent, black, and on a mattress bed covered with a white quilt. A quilt? In this weather? Then Savio walked in holding a cup of water and everything came back. I remembered our conversation and my choice of accepting Father Echo’s gift. I lifted my shirt; I had placed my hand on my stomach before I blacked ou...

4 Test Drive Finders were leaving the clearing. It was night with a full moon as our spotlight. Tonight was the last night of the month, the night us Finders continue our travels. Some of us left in smalls groups of threes or twos, others left alone. Children of ten years were hugged and kissed and left alone; it was their time to find their own path in the mountains. The clearing was emptied of tents and fire places; once all the Finders were gone it would be like we were never there. The br...

Walking the Un-treaded Path In ten years my family will meet in one spot that is sacred to us. Every ten years we meet. In each family, when a child is born, the parents will teach the child how to live in the wild. When that child turns ten they leave him/her on his/her own. For the next ten years the family will travel the mountains in search of new things. If nothing is found, then they at least learned something of the worlds. They will learn of healing and carpentry and music and much mo...

Walking the Un-treaded Path In ten years my family will meet in one spot that is sacred to us. Every ten years we meet. In each family, when a child is born, the parents will teach the child how to live in the wild. When that child turns ten they leave him/her on his/her own. For the next ten years the family will travel the mountains in search of new things. If nothing is found, then they at least learned something of the worlds. They will learn of healing and carpentry and music and much mo...

3 Watching the Rose Opening my eyes, and fighting a major migraine, I tried to gather my thoughts. Where the hell was I? Sitting up, I gazed around the room, for it was a room. I was in a tent, black, and on a mattress bed covered with a white quilt. A quilt? In this weather? Then Savio walked in holding a cup of water and everything came back. I remembered our conversation and my choice of accepting Father Echo’s gift. I lifted my shirt; I had placed my hand on my stomach before I blacked ou...

2 Family The night wore on and the Gathering didn’t end until sunrise. But that didn’t stop the party goers. All the families celebrated together; there wasn’t a bird who would find more than six of one color grouped together. I was surrounded by so many different colors I had trouble finding my bearings. The Finders had forgotten me almost immediately after the Gathering and I was very glad of it. Though the mark on my hands hadn’t been seen for a long time, didn’t mean it was the only amazi...

Dance until the night is done My Daughter, Sing for the shinning sun. Watch the clouds go by, My Daughter, And hear their whispered song. Listen to the birds, My Daughter, Notice their wings’ flap. Cradle close your heart My Daughter, Make sure it’s not a trap. Learn from the weeping willows; Turn your head to cry. Don’t let fear consume, My Daughter, Do not listen to their lies. Hate does not control My Daughter, Nor does love, nor life. Listen to your heart, My Daughter, Listen when it cries.