Kelsey and Ethan sleeping through breakfast. Just our usual morning organized chaos!
[By: Miriam Kashia]
This summer solstice is an auspicious moment in the Earth’s calendar and in our relationship to the seasonal transitions we observe and celebrate in the natural world.
“One Earth Village,” the community of people marching across the USA to raise awareness and inspire action on the climate crisis, is entering our third season on the journey from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. We’ve experienced winter, spring and now summer. Having endured cold, snow and hail, thunderstorms and dust storms, 70 mph winds, three full moons, and the desert blooming with spring flowers, we are beginning to feel the heat of the great plains as we march ever forward toward the Eastern horizon.
During a post-dinner conversation tonight, many of us shared what our most impactful experience has been so far on the March. For some, it was living outdoors and seeing the sun rise and set every day and having the opportunity to really see the details of the earth’s abundance and beauty. For others it was about the people en route who have shared their stories and cultural traditions, ceremonies, food and their sacred lands with us.
Loyd, engineering the coal train with 125 coal cars, stopped his train to find out what we were doing walking on pathway along the RR tracks. Very supportive and friendly man. Fun encounter.
For me it is all of those, plus the incredible privilege of being a part of this rag-tag group of ordinary people doing an extraordinary action. These folks share love, support, challenges, hardships, work, marching, and recommit daily to deliver our dream all along the journey; the dream of a livable world for all people and all life.
Within a few days we will cross the border into Nebraska and reach our halfway point. Our community, our logistical systems, and our resolve are all in place. What we are generating now is a clear and unified message to carry forward. With the maturity of 4 months and 1500 miles behind us, that clarity is ready to unfold.
It is summer, an exciting time to be together on this journey. We are Marching for ourselves, our loved ones, and for everyone ¬— whether they know it or not.