I arrived in New Mexico sometime in September of last year, 2016. As with many of my journeys they turn out not what I expected. This one in particular is more sad for some reason. I may have had too many expectations. I feel like I will not return. Something inside me has come to a conclusion and my heart senses an ending. One of my dearest friends passed and I will never see him again. I carry him inside. I carry him inside because I have talked and written about him. I carry his beautiful self inside and I have incorporated parts of him. Therefore this is not a bad thing; just a thing that I will need to let settle within and become part of my hero’s journey.
Did you know that heroes are us? We all are on journeys and we are all heroes. But…this is a huge ‘but’, the journey we are on, large or small, does not exist until we tell the story. We need to tell the story for us to become that story. If we do not tell the story it didn’t happen. That is one of the major reasons that I write and tell my hero’s journey.
Since I discovered the above diagram I have become more and more aware of the elements of the parts that make up my life in each moment. I can recognize sooner when I have been placed on a path that includes all the elements seen here. The hero’s journey is always in play at some point along the circle. The one part that is not illustrated is the part I mentioned above. This journey does not exist until you tell your story after the return. You need to tell your story.
I’ve read something recently; a quote by Walter Whitman. I read this and the words fell into a rhythm that follows the hero’s journey diagram. These are the actions of the hero along the path. Listen to this:
This is what you should do: love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to everyone that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men … re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss what insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem.
Walt Whitman
Playing Fair and Being Kind 
I think you are a hero, George — and you’ve had a lot of amazing journeys and stories to tell, and many more unfolding, no doubt. I had the opportunity to read that quote from Walt Whitman at the wedding of two dear friends, long ago — actually, the weekend before I met Rick. The quote made me think then and live differently ever since — with some greater awareness and connection and aspiration — and has given me language to spur me to action in some situations. I am also sad that NM isn’t feeling like home for you, but I think the journey is the important part, and the loss of Rick compounded with the loss of your Maine community might be reverberating and creating a need to hit the road and see what happens next. My kids will always enjoy the visits from “Georgie” and every once in a while we might even put together a vegan cake for you. I was looking at recipes the other day! Thank you for all your help and friendship and don’t be a stranger. May the wind be at your back. I imagine you’ll be back in the Land of Enchantment…on the next part of the journey and I look forward to the stories you have to tell then.
I’m not sure I ever saw this comment, my dear, dear friend. I want to be like you as much as I want you to be like me. What a trick, eh? I will continue to be sad and to be elated all in the same day.
Love you,
g
Every life is an epic adventure whether we participate or not