This morning I watched the sun rise over the Skunk River Valley and as I stood tall and strong like a mountain, with my feet rooted firmly in the medicine wheel, I breathed the air deeply and the land breathed with me. For a long, exhilarating moment, we were merged into one being. Inseparable as the turtle from his shell. We were not brothers or fathers of one another, but a singular living unit. As I perspired, so too did the land and we waited with glee as the bright sun climbed over the tops of great cottonwoods. I beckoned with my hands and the birds rose and cried out, "Come! Come! Come!" And as the sun cast light over the water and the meadows, the trees and shrubs, like me, were the congregation of the Great And Holy Church Of The Land. We exhaled deeply with our arms outstretched and felt good, loving warmth wash over us. All was reborn. We emerged clean and unafraid to brave our shortcomings in the golden glow.
-R.K.M.
