Just a Bag

Cont’d part 12

In all my studies about dragon lore, I have not come across anything of much use, on how to care for a baby… it all just seems to want us to either attack them or run away!  That is not of any use to us out here, on the trail with this small one. He just looks vulnerable and helpless… not scary at all! 

Out in the field, it is important to consider how one handles the unknown… it says a great deal about a person. Therefore, I vote to throw out all the dragon history books for this baby! I want to give this little guy a chance to prove his worth, whether he is a dragon or not! I want to look beyond the scales and teeth, beyond all that anger… because there is more to him than meets the eye, I suspect.

Unfortunately, all too often we find ourselves asking, why are people so quick to judge something or someone, simply because they don’t understand or maybe MISunderstand?  Too many whys only leave us to run around in circles getting nothing done.  I for one, am choosing to pour my love and energies into this little brute!  Something about him gives me pause…

When I observe the little dragon, there are moments I can see my younger spiritual self (the willful part), and at other times I recognize the anger. I can remember a time when I carried a heart so hurt and confused, only anger came out!  I guess we can all look at this baby with some form of understanding, seeing our own reflection in one way or another. Why the Commander thinks that I am capable of handling this ball of fury, with my own tendency for being overly defensive, tends to be a question that answers itself.  If I need to mature in a certain area within my spirit, the Commander seems to give me exactly that which will aid my growth… Practice! 

We have been given the opportunity to get a great amount of Practice in! Look at the journey we have been on for the last weeks.  I can say that there have been a good many lessons we have been learning, as well as some difficult times that made us cling to one another for strength. 

The Commander has never given us more than we could handle, and though it was painful in places, I would not change a thing if we went back in time.  It was worth it, all the pain and effort, that is!  We are so much more than we were when our adventure began… how could we forget the otter folk… who would want to change that day?  In fact, looking back over things, there is not a moment with you that I would regret, or wish to undo.

We have now been given a great opportunity I think, to help make a difference to this little baby, and in doing so, become better for the effort.  Big things can often come wrapped up in small, scaly, and angry packages like the one we have before us.  Our Commander is teaching us to look beyond the surface, to love on a level beyond our own understanding.  I know when things began it was only supposed to be me doing the heavy lifting of our adventure, but I had no idea how things would turn out and here we are, heading for the barn, as they say!

 All of our trials, difficulties, obstacles and happy accidents happened because you stepped in to help this crazy lady with a dream.  I believe that you have been learning the same lessons I have, just from your own perspectives.  That is what makes life so beautiful… all the things that make us think differently, are the key to binding us together like a puzzle with different shapes and sizes. 

I have discovered that it is always better to follow the One who created the puzzle in the first place.  The Commander knew, before we ever left the lobby, exactly who would lend their aid and why.  He did not give me the information ahead of time, nor do I know the why even now!

But He knew that you would come… and that is enough for me!  Let’s make camp here for the night and enjoy our last evening together, for tomorrow we should reach the coast and from there the village which was our original destination. 

As excited as I am to finally complete our mission, I now hesitate to end my time with you… change is always a bit scary, and I know not where the journey will lead.  This baby belongs somewhere, though I know not where, as of yet! Were it possible, I would take you all with me, but as you know, paths in our lives do not always stay joined, but rather run parallel, sometimes rejoining; at other times simply intersecting with each other along the path.

Enough said about where we have been and what lies ahead… tonight we celebrate!

It’s a good thing all we brought with us was Just a Bag…

From supplying us with dry clothing, tools, campfire materials and tents…

to feeding us, and holding all our personal belongings…

During our entire journey, our bags ensured we never slept cold or wet, nor suffered from hunger or thirst…

This might look like Just a Bag, but it sure has had a way of bringing together a rag tag group of adventurers, such as we are…

Though our bags seemed stiff and foreign to us, when first we left the Lobby…

Our constant use of the bags, seemed to have somehow softened the leather. I for one cannot imagine traveling without mine…

In honor of our bags, let us break out a feast and celebrate together into the night...

At dawn we make for the coast…