When I opened my eyes, the outlaws had vanished. I had no idea whether they had been hurled downstream with the tremendous torrents of water or I had somehow been transported to another time. I looked around to search for my bearings. It looked the same. But I could no longer see the Airstream or my parents. Or any sign of the gigantic wall of water. Instead, a long caravan of people was headed my direction. They looked like the men I had met at Juniper Springs.

My eyes panned to the West. There were herds of bison and flocks of birds as far as the eye could see. Thousands. Tens of thousands. Maybe more. I was mesmerized and couldn’t help but smile and take a deep breath. I knew they had always been there. I had seen their hoof prints on the ground. The reverberations of their wings on the wind. But now they were closer and clearer than ever before. I could hear their breath. Feel the pulses of their hearts. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I smiled softly and sent waves of light and healing in every direction, letting them expand in all directions as my lungs and diaphragm did.

When I opened my eyes, some were looking at me as if they could feel and see my intentions. They were grateful and responded in kind if they could. Some knew I was there and appreciated my support but didn’t have the strength to reciprocate. Others continued about their business without realizing what had been done on their behalf. They may have felt lighter. They may have absorbed it in a breath of their own and smiled without knowing why. Still others seemed beyond my reach and completely oblivious to my existence. “They must feel so alone,” I thought. Then one of the men in the caravan looked up at me and smiled reassuringly.

“We must thank you Jose Maria of the Timpanagos tribe for showing us the way” he said raising his hands to his heart. “May Our Good Lord bless you and keep you my child as he has done for us thus far” and the man winked. For some reason, I wasn’t surprised to be called this name. I looked down at myself and saw the body of a twelve year old boy. How had that happened? I recognized the man who spoke to me as Father Escalante. I guessed based on Father Escalante’s knowing smile that he recognized me as well. But there were many others here and I wasn’t sure whether they would see me and know me as Elliot or Jose Maria. So I remained silent.

The caravan continued their journey. I thought these men must be closer to the Creator than anyone. Everything was brighter. More magnificent. I was filled with joy at being alive and getting to walk the same planet as these amazing beings. I wondered what the goal of their mission was. I wondered where my parents were and when I would see them again. I didn’t really understand how the Universe worked. I suddenly realized that this was the first time I had walked the plane in a physical body. At least that I could remember.

I thought I would be born in to a lifetime with my parents. Ride dirt bikes like my dad. Or swim in the ocean with my mom. Maybe I would learn to evolve and grow my consciousness and humanity by dealing with the big issues of the day like immigration, gender fluidity, racial justice or mental health. Or maybe I would save the World one person , one family at a time. I wanted to grow up and do something to help humans from destroying their habitat. I hoped my parents and all humans would survive as a species. And I so wished I could do something to help them!

Instead I seemed to be bouncing wherever the Creator sent me. Don’t think I’m not grateful for it. I thought the next chapter would be with my parents. But here I am. Was I choosing this? Were my parents? Why was I manifesting into this physical existence instead of theirs? Why were they leaving me to roam through whatever dimensions I chose without any guidance or supervision? I felt safe with the friars in their long robes and simple ways. I trusted that they would help me find my parents. I looked up into the kind blue eyes of Father Escalante. He didn’t look much older than I was.

Fray Francisco Silvestre winked and went back to writing in his journal:

He raised his head and stretched his neck. “I am surprised to see you here” said Father Escalante. He looked at me and guarded his eyes from the bright sun. “I thought you would be with your parents.” I paused and reflected. “I did too Sir. Can you tell me please when we will see them again?” The older man grew quiet. He didn’t appear much older than me physically, but he had been winding these valleys for centuries and had picked up a few things along the way.

He struggled to find words that would comfort me. “May our blessed Saint Teresa of Avila provide me with the words you most need to hear right now. I am but a humble servant. I can not tell you when we will see your parents again any more than she, in her wondrous wisdom, can. Or anyone else can in theirs. May God give each of us patience and faith as only the One who knows all can. Let us trust that you are here for a reason and I will do my best to move your journey forward in whatever small ways I can.”

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I knew I was here for a reason and I thanked the Creator for bringing me here, even though I didn’t know where or when I was. I could still feel the magic of the animals and the birds that shared this space, but something else was starting to creep in. I knew it had been there all along, but I had chosen not to feel it. There was no putting it off any longer. It was time. I prayed to the Creator for strength.