Old Friends

By Chris Mac

Ronnie and his companions have finally taken the brave step of going
to the edge of the woods.  Although Ronnie has always felt compelled
to explore them, Chaz, Jeremy and Danny have come along because, well,
because they always do everything together!  The magic the boys will
discover within the confines of the forest is as life-saving to our
planet as was The Last Mimsie.  But there the boys sit, stuck at the
tent site they discovered on their first day.  I left there to face a
different reality.  The reality of helping family with a new baby, of
earning money, of living, well, life!

Then there's Josephus.  He has already climbed the great precipice and
met the Mountain People.  He is only the second of his century to make
this treacherous journey.  The Mountain People are wise and learned.
They have mastered the art of living in harmony with nature and desire
nothing more than to share their knowledge.  But the mountain protects
them and their way of life.  There are, among the lowlanders, those
who would slaughter animals who do not fear man.  Not many folk
realize that the earth contains all we need for sustenance without
having to kill our fellow beings.  Josephus has returned from his
journey to share this exciting news with the Peoples along the trade
route.  Alas, only one gathering has taken place.  Josephus can not
complete his journey unless I accompany him.  There are so many things
he longs to share.  There are so many things he needs to learn!

Then, there is Jim.  Discouraged about falling into bed exhausted each
night, only to rise early the next morning and repeat the routine, he
finally quit his job and left the city.  He used his meager savings to
purchase a hunter's shack near timberline. He intended to take a year
alone, to think.  He arrived at the site in early summer.  Winter is
fast approaching and he is frantically drying the vegetables he grew
in his garden and the fruits he procured from the Farmer's Market.
Living in this environment has already changed him.  He is discovering
comradeship from the most unlikely place, the woods surrounding his
little hamlet.  And, friendship?  Yes, friendships have been formed
with two of the most unpretentious people who ever lived.  I long to
see Jim through his first winter.  I want to be there when he and the
Magnificent Stag meet again.  I know that his journey will teach us
both so much.  But I can't be in four places at once!

Sigh.  Sometimes I just dream about how wonderful it would be to greet
my old friends; to pick up where we left off, and to journey together
for an entire year!
 

Chris Mac - chris4mac@gmail.com