Memorabilia



Cygnus is situated in the Milky Way. Its brightest stars mark the Northern Cross. Cygnus, with the bright star Deneb in the swan's tail, appears high in the summer sky.

August 31:

I sat on a rock about 30 yards from where the water greeted the land. A firm and steady breeze came off the water, as if to clear the way, announce the arrival of a lesson for any student who was willing to participate in class, but was I listening? The question from the great teacher came forth, "What is it about waves that attracts you?" In my class of one, I didn't need to raise my hand, only my mind. What is it about waves? Of course!! A+, here I come. "It's the way the light from YOU reflects off the crest of the wave, the highest point, the crescendo, that's what I want to see, that's what I want to be. I want my life to be like that all the time, at the top, raise the bar, reach for the sky. A reflection of YOU, my teacher." The wave crashes, dissolving into the sand, a lengthy pause, but wait, another wave comes forth with greater effort, steadier determination and a will to succeed. Is it in fact another wave? No, it is the same water that is merely mustering enough courage to try again! Perseverance! Yes! Another virtue another crash another failed attempt. No luck, no success. This wave vanishes too, like it's father, grandfather, and all those who tried before. I ask the teacher, "How do I hold that state of greatness? Surely that's what success is, to be able to counter the forces of gravity and stand, tall and proud, cresting at the highest peak and reflecting the Truth and light." The teacher asked me to lay my head, close my eyes and still my mind. "Take a nap by the beach, that's cool. Don't sweat it, you've been trying to figure out how to be the crest of a wave or the leading edge of a wing or the best part of someone's day for a long time. Just rest. Well get back to all of those in a little while." As I forced myself to relax, I pushed more ideas into my head. "Just Rest." and then I took a deep breath. I was surprised at the freshness of the air as it cascaded over my lungs. I've been sitting here so long and didn't notice the most essential gift of air. Caught off guard, I focused my thought here, what is this? Clean crisp air and my nostrils flared above a broadening smile. This is NICE. Slow and smooth exhale from the mouth and again, a steady rush of life entering my nose, my body, my mind. I could think of nothing else. 'I' could think of __nothing__ else. And as I lay there thinking of nothing else, I fell asleep, in a dream to the nurturing hand of my lover as she caressed my hair from my brow, my head on her lap. Gentle strokes of warmth across my mind, front to back, front to back as I smiled and breathed. Front to back, waves of Love, the highest point, that's what I want to see, that's what I want to be. Love.