The past few weeks have been unusual, my aging body at times appears to be disintegrating into a fine mesh infused with light so I am surprised when day after day my energy generator grasps the ladder of youth. As I walk and run I sense an old body feeding on a power which is outside itself and all I can do is wonder why and not to waste a rare opportunity to run while feeling like a 25 year old.
Today I could not contain the energy so I ran to the Jewel Tree at Navy Pier. I stood in my usual spot 25 feet away from the tree, giving mind offerings as I gazed at water and sky. I noticed the beautiful sparrow had returned, he stood still, 5 feet away, sending me his thoughts. I bowed to him and walked to the tree, the bird hopping along with me, and dropped rice on the ground. As I walked away I watched as he started eating and soon three other sparrows had joined him.
This evening my energy was good so I decided to walk to the lake and I ended up at Burnham Harbor sitting on a log which is shaded by three trees. I faced south looking out over the harbor. A nearby lamppost had a pleasing yellow glow. I became quite calm, mind and body relaxed as I watched bikers, runners and walkers go by as the sun began to set. Memories of past examples of my social deficiencies arose and I thought of the few parties I had gone to in my youth. I focused on the ones in which I had felt the most uncomfortable to go along with my sense of social shame. I could not comprehend how I am disconnected from the minds of others. I mused that I was from another planet, or perhaps this was my first time being a human and so have little in common with humans who are in possession of more advanced incarnations. I noticed a friendly presence approaching my secluded spot high on the hill. I watched as he walked directly in my direction and stopping in front of me I welcomed him with a smile. He nodded and smiled and asked if he could sit with me. I agreed and moved to the edge of the log but he decided to sit on the grass. He told me his name was Kyle and when he asked mine I had a second or two to decide which name to use, my slave name or spirit name. Recognizing Kyle was a spirit presence I answered with "Francis." Kyle told me he is a 25 year old mill worker from Indiana. "Iron or flour?" I asked. He laughed, "I'm going to a secret Harry Potter party tonight." I looked at him and tried to determine if he was dressed as a Potter character. He pulled a red vajra from his pack, it was made of wood and wrapped in various materials. "I made this for the party." "It will protect you and will also attract women." "Haha, you are right!" He told me about his wanderings, traversing through Oregon and Washington state, Portland. "I lived in Eugene two years, I spent a couple weeks up in Portland, I became addicted to running twenty milers in Forest Park." "I liked doing 20 milers there, too." He told me about his ex-fiance who cheated on him. I was enjoying Kyle's presence but as abruptly as he came he departed. As he started to walk down the hill toward the lake I said "Have a good time at the secret party tonight, Kyle." "Thanks, Francis," he turned to face me and asked "If you were me, which way would you go?" I looked left, then right. "Follow the Moon." "I like that!" He paused, turned left, stopped, turned to his right and then started walking.
