STONEWALK 2004: BOSTON, MA to NEW YORK, NY.

August 12th
By Daniel Jones

August 12 – Today I woke up very anxious and very busy. I finally was able to get on line to e-mails and look at plans for the next few weeks. I also knew, from the trooper who came by at midnight last night, that we faced an incredible climb today – “Twin Hills.” He wanted to take me in his squad car to show me. I asked about steepness. He said, “Bro, it’s like this,” angling his arm in a severe slope.

Lewis and Meg were gone. Jeff and Greg would not be here. I again wondered about how many people would be here. I spoke with Dot about the exhaustion of this trip. In yesterday’s meeting before our afternoon pull, I suggested having someone in mind to ask for help or support if needed. I stated that I had been going to Lewis. Dot’s son, Tim, was with us yesterday. Before he left last night, he told me to ask his mom if I needed anything. It is something I would have done anyway, but I thought it a great tribute to Dot for Tim to say this and an honor for me for Tim to share her. In any event, Dot’s advice about taking care of myself convinced me to begin the day with a heart sandwich. Back to the heart shakra, it goes through the chest and out the back. I demonstrated with Eric how to put one’s hands close to the partner’s heart and at the same point behind the back, but not touching. Before doing this, Eric led me in a meditation to become more centered rather than trying to give the sandwich in a depleted state. After two minutes, we switched and Eric gave me a heart sandwich. The group members did likewise.

I remember being on retreat with PT in the fall and it was the lunar eclipse. There was something called the harmonial concordance (I think) in which given the eclipse and the alignment of planets, some were suggesting chanting at the moon to bring harmony to the universe. I shared this with the PT members on the retreat remarking that it may not help, but it will not hurt. The meeting place was so cold that we all had on our coats already, so everyone went outside to “ohm.” I felt so renewed after the heart sandwich today but acknowledged that others may not find it helpful, but it wouldn’t hurt. I have a suspicion that it was helpful because we rushed up Twin Hills at an incredible clip.

Kelly joined us again for the whole day, taking the lead bar position. We made it to Cobalt early and called it a day. Cat, Bob, Dave, Bruce Nichols and I went swimming in a lake in Marlboro. Vi welcomed us back for another night, a much more mellow night than any recently. Tomorrow we have a big event, starting with a two town planned sending and receiving ceremony as we cross the bridge from Portland into Middletown. We have been getting great media attention. A publication called the “Chronicle” in Willimantic has been running two articles a day. A monthly magazine in Middletown is putting us on its September cover. The next few weeks are filled with incredible events. I think in Middletown we actually reach half way between Boston and New York. Come join us.