July 20th, 2016 – Orient Land Trust Bat Cave
Yesterday I was part of another persons dream.
9:45 pm: After witnessing a great out flight of bats the time had come to find a way off the mountain with our friend. In the dark at 9,500 feet elevation we tied ropes to the frame of her wheelchair and began our slow descent on the steep trail of loose rock. For an extra level of safety we lashed Janet to the chair with a hunk of climbing rope.
“On three” I call out before standing, the weight of the chair, Janet and the rigging balanced on my shoulders. As Steve and I settled our movements Janet began to talk.
She remembered the cliffs beside the trail on the way up and spoke of them with nervous energy. I told her, “I’ve got your back.” She laughed and said, “No Michael you’ve got my front. Steve has my back.” In that moment I celebrated my friendship with this woman I admire, a woman of strength and determination, light and life.
Days earlier Janet let friends know she dreamed of witnessing an out flight of the bats from our bat cave, two miles up the mountain and a 900 foot elevation gain. We friends of Janet conspired to make it so and did. I was a part of that story and this one.
In the shadow of the moon I take my first step down the steep trail and felt Janet swing under the poles and at the end of her ropes. Marie lit our footsteps and called out hazards as others moved rocks from the trail. We band of Humans, with our suspended friend between us, worked our way down the mountain in a quiet ballet of movement. Janet occasionally said, “More Left” which meant further from the rocky ledge.
After an hour we made it to the truck and apparent safety. The strenuous part was over and now the long and slow descent down through the old town sites began, the truck in granny gear. Janet and I were alone in the cab and the rest of the troop had piled in to the bed with Janet’s wheelchair.
Janet began to cry and expressed her gratitude for having seen the bats and having great friends. I accepted her gratitude but then I reminded her of this.
She had given all of us a greater gift – The chance to shine as examples of what Humans can be – What a beautiful night it was…
© 2019 – 2020, Michael Fulcher. All rights reserved.
