Memories, what are they made of?  And the reunion memories...what do they hold for you?

Katherine Wieseman shares hers here to inspire us to know that in a very short period of time we will meet, share, delight and be REALLY GLAD we did not miss the 2008 reunion at Cold Mountain.

Memories and Growing
Katherine Wieseman


I applaud the efforts to gather stories responding the question, what’s in a reunion? Asking ’old-timers’ and the frequently returning for their stories is a great place to start, but I also encourage the direct invitations to include individuals who might only have come once or twice (new timers if you will or just folks who cannot come to many of them). I say this because the perspectives may be quite different.

I have only been to one reunion, the one in Lake City, Colorado, and what a first one it was since I was on the reunion team and had ’official’ responsibilities! Being lodging coordinator had me meeting everyone who came and trying to keep straight oh, so many names and lodging locations, whilst simultaneously enjoying the varied activities offered. I remember the beauty and connection of the opening dance.

I remember the coziness and warmth between shamans, children, and adults at the kids’ circle with a shaman. I remember my lodging mates laughing at my dives into the frigid San Cristobal and floating under the moonlit sky. I cherish my first attempt at drumming (I so want to learn how to play the Djembe) under Billy’s attentive gaze and listening. I remember how the music of the Blue Paradox teased the muscles of my body into rhythmic motion.

I remember the playfulness and seriousness of the Tatewari fires (from having only heard about them, in a matter of a week I had attended three). I remember seeing participants greet each other the way they greet dear old friends and I remember some participants (new like myself) struggling with the familiarity between others of which they were not a part.

I anticipate my second reunion - in Asheville - with great glee and excitement, particularly since my secure and ’sedentary’ life has shifted to a place of transience, mystery, wonder, and no doubt many lessons. I have no official functions or responsibilities. I wonder who I will see from other hamlets that I will know. I look forward to sharing warm connectedness; walking with dear ones  with our feet on mother earth, our heads touching father sky, and my bodies caressing the plant and rock spirits; swimming in the lake (we can swim there, right?); maybe learning more about drumming; celebrating life in dance... and much more.

I look forward to outreaching to others who might not know anyone else there and/or would are coming for their first time, because I remember how special my first time was.

Katherine

 

 

 

Freeze Flame: Reunion ’05