- Eight Veterans answered the Call to Claim their Rite of Return in the Wilderness -

A collective mirror by VR Elder Witness Susan Hobbs

The bowl moves around the circle, and the ancient wind drowns out the world’s noises. The towering trees sway softly in response, opening minds and souls and hearts.

We’ve heard stories of the kindness of hospital personnel, birds, levitation, ancient grandmother’s, needed sleep, horrible sleep, Moses and Jesus, turkey feathers, sunsets, blood, anxiety, and the warmth of the sun.

The Spirit talking to each one in a language they can understand, through sickness, the touch of God on a shoulder, balls of light, dreams and chipmunks, trees talking back, voices in the air giving directions, Martin Luther King and a deer, loving the spot and cleansing with blood and a rock pile buddy.

Asking questions; what is my higher power, who am I, Can I be a whole adult man, give me direction, what’s the meaning of life, what am I doing out here and what am I going to remember?

All eight realize in their own way, they came for love, cleansing in the river, man cannot live by bread alone, magic is real, welcomed back to Mother Earth, clarity, you’re on the right track, boundaries, self-care, compassion, pride, wild she-woman and remembering the experience.

All found connection, conversation, belonging and a sense of community by gathering for the same purpose of joining and coming home,

Finally, eight whole adults and elder humans and one Leo the Service Dog Lion, realized, and in the words of Gabby

“The spirit in Me honors the spirit in you” – “We know we’ve been changed.”