Richard's Medicine Lake Journey
Day Seven, September 3, 2004
©Richard J. Gorman 2004
Afterword
On the seventh day, I make the long drive home. I pass back through Lassen, and tarry along the way, visiting the museum, and taking some of the pictures along the road that you saw earlier. At the end, I have driven 904 miles, written over 50 pages in my journal, taken over 90 pictures, most of which you saw herein if you checked it all out. I have seen countless wonders and signs that were very moving and meaningful to me. Two things I learned I will share here:
Sitting by the fire in camp, I realize that I don't do that enough anymore. The fireside is such a good place to rest and reflect. While I have for over half of my life, I don't presently live with a fireplace. When I get home and start downloading my e-mail, I realize that the fire I sit by at nights now is this computer. It would be good to strike a better balance between the two.
The lesson from Big Painted Cave and Symbol Bridge is that when I walk with reverence and respect, I walk with dignity. My personal epiphany from this is that I must apply this not only to the Earth and its sacred places, but I must also walk with respect and reverence for all of creation, particularly for the people in my life, and for all life on this planet. This is how my sacred feather will be earned.