Meditation Point Lowry

I set the clock so I could greet the sun, a rare occurrence as I prefer to snuggle deeper into the covers and finish the night’s dreams.

The air is cool, even cold this morning frost nipping at the car windows as I stroll past. Definitely a layers type of day as the projected temperature is 80.

The birds greet me as I step from the door headed to the near by park. Many birds have gathered in close proximity to each other and are chirping away sounding a bit like a convention hall during “Social Hour”.

The leaves pepper the yard, but as I look up I see the tree is still full with green leaves not yet even turning. This is the rare time of both Moon and Sun visible before one blots out the other.

The neighborhood is still sleeping except for a few dog owners like me and the resident creature welcoming the new day. I remember this being a time of relief as a teen, the relentless Oklahoma heat dissipating and school firmly in place so I had a sanctuary to escape to at least 8 hours a day. One of the few times of year in Okla. when you could breathe easily and spend extended time outdoors without discomfort.

As I stroll down the street I notice plants starting to fade, still very present but some of the vibrancy toned down a bit. Dew clung to the rose bushes just about to drop, but not willing to release its grasp. The native grasses/ weeds that are now so popular for public landscaping are coming into their own in this season, moving from beige to deep reds and purples truly harvesting the seeds planted back in the Spring. 

I notice that the chill in the air fills my nose and precludes other smells although there is a quick scent of wet grass. Sitting up at the meditation point wisely included in the neighborhood park I look out over the beauty that is early morning and write this poem.
 
     A chilliness that will soon fade with the
     warming day
           
     Birds waking, singing, announcing the rising sun
 
     Cars on a distant street sounding like ocean
     waves crashing on the shore

     Meditation point wisely included in a small
     neighborhood park facing the majestic West
 
     Sun already easing the chill
 
     Still so much green, trees full
 
     Not yet Fall
 
     Magpies making a fly by, chirping to
     announce their presence
 
     The rock that is my seat chilled, but not
     bone chilling
 
     Time of year for relaxing into the impending
     cold,slow, slow, slowing down
 
     Gathering in supplies, harvesting, to plan
     for the winter ahead
 
     Breathing space, relief from the relentless heat
 
     The golden days of Late Summer – the Element
      of Earth slowing passing with Fall
​      /Metal approaching

Memory Garden for a lost child.

My first deployment, The Cold Springs Fire, to a disaster and first experience up close and personal with the first responders. 

The comradeship among the company members is great to witness. These guys and gals eat, work and rest together. They are truly there for each other on a daily basis and it shows. Our first night we had a company that decided to come check us out together. Together they received ear acupuncture for the first time. We were discussing acupuncture and they were all surprised to hear it takes a masters degree to become licensed as an acupuncturist in Colorado and most states in the USA. Then suddenly one of the firefighters proclaimed "Hey I am starting to relax!" "This stuff really works!"

Word is the next morning this company announced at breakfast they had "slept like babies", because they had acupuncture the night before. Needless to say we had a long line that night!
I was struck by the connections of everyone involved, they fight fires all over the country. Those who can no longer fight on the line support behind the lines. They have their own community made up of great people willing to do what is needed to help others in a time of extreme need. 

I was honor to hear a briefing of the firefighters one evening and was struck by the leaders respect of the people and properties involved along with putting safety first. After the fire I talked to a friend whose house was within the fire and they were very impressed with the professionalism of the firefighters and the great care taken on their properties.
​I believe so profoundly in Colorado Acupuncture Medical Reserve Corp's mission and this deployment made me to feel honored and lucky to be involved.