It is Fall, another Fall, and I have fallen back to the status of student. I am reminded that this is the journey. My journey, and the path is laid before me. The end of this journey is unimportant, but I am expected to find wisdom along the way. This time the good byes were subtle, few, without the hugs and handshakes. Roots again are severed, my children fragile without their friends. For a moment in our lives we lived as people do, left the cold of the night and distance from the window, and joined those we would normally see from the outside. I am realizing now that that was the dream, glorious in friendship and warmth, but still it was the dream. I am fortunate. I once wrote of looking beyond my reflection in the window, and the lights in the distance as ancient campfires of warmth and friendship. “So many evenings, always the distant campfires, always alone, drifting silently past.” I am fortunate to have paused in my drifting, and to have lived amongst that warmth and friendship. In my drifting, I am carried again on perception’s gentle breeze. To where is uncertain, but if I am able, I will leave signs that I was there.

Summer 2003, DQ9, Eve

Spring 2003, DQ8, Code Blue by Matt Copeland

Winter 2002, DQ7, Wanted: Dark Quilters

Summer 2002, DQ6, Cascading

Winter 2001, DQ5, Too Deep

Autumn 2001, DQ4, Trench Master