The River
I once knew a man named River who carried great power in his veins. Like the elemental force he was named after he had no idea of the effect he had on his environment. With a simple word he could move mountains and bring people to tears. He made his way through the world being a source of inspiration to those who met him, blessing them simple gestures of eloquence.
He blessed me once, years ago when we first met. I asked him for directions and he gave me a song written on a piece of paper. I folded it and placed it in my pocket. I never made it to where I was headed but I found myself in a better place. To this day I still carry that scrap of paper. It is faded and frayed but it keeps me from getting lost in the dark places of my heart.
Over the years I heard many stories of my old friend. They are usually the same. Someone would come up to me and say with tears in their eyes. "Man , that dude really saved my life." In that moment of soul-sharing I understood. I saw the finger prints of my dear friend on that heart in front of me. River was very good about that. He stitched people together with empathy. In the worst of times he always told us to stop looking down at our feet. "Love one another" was his creed. I swear I saw those words written on a wall somewhere.
Through the years our lives have crossed paths. Often he has found me when I was standing still. The man makes a lot of noise when he is trying to get your attention. He gets even louder when he is trying to tell you something. There was a time when I could no longer stand myself. River told me I was beautiful. I went home and broke all my mirrors. Another time he told me I was born to be loved. We were standing in the check out line at the grocery store. Even the clerk behind the counter had to agree. I watched River carry on a conversation with the guy as he paid for his purchases with pocket change.
That was one of his many talents, his magic, the ability to tell you what you needed to hear, even when you might not be listening. His words would seep into your unconsciousness and you would find yourself trying to be a better person.
I wish I could follow the path he takes but instead I carry a piece of him with me where ever I go. I try to listen when people tell me their stories and to give them comfort in the darkness. That was another gift from River. He showed me a light I never knew I carried. It was always there but I never thought I was worthy of it's illumination. I work really hard to see that light in others. It's like a language we all share but we do not realize we have the ability to speak it. River has always been able to cross that language barrier.
Now I sit and think of my friend. I rarely hear from him though his voice is always in my head. I know one day my River will not be there. What will I do when he is gone? If I am lucky I will become one.
Note: It was my intention to write a story based on a song by a dear friend of mine, Doug Pinnick, he actually have me permission to do so but I found myself in a strange place. I could not bring forth a fiction from something he has already beautifully created. Instead I sat and thought about what the man means to me. He has been a part of my life for years as an inspiration, teacher and hero. Thank you Doug for being my river. Love you always.