FanStory.com - Pilgrimage to a parkby Jesse James Doty

We set off on a pilgrimage to Freshwater Park on Friday of last week. David and I had often gone on these enjoyable trips to more local places such as Elk River Estuary and other fun places.

We found many large Sequoia trees with picnic benches where we rolled up my wheelchair to be very close to them and sat.

David is very strong, so he was able to roll me over the grassy areas which he called boondocking. It was fun and adventurous.

I knew I was home when I could smell the living spirit of the trees. We sat and ate our lunch and spoke softly so as to not disturb the quiet surrounding the peaceful area. Birds trilled arpeggios singing songs about how nature came to be.

I said to David “can you hear the sweetness of the songs from the birds?” He answered sadly “no, I can’t.” It was at this moment that I realized how we shared disabilities, he could not hear the birds and I could not walk.

Every day I do my exercises so that one day soon I will be able to walk.

I work my upper body and my lower body so that my strength will increase as well as my confidence.

David wears his hearing aids and listens carefully to the birds so that he can hear them singing. He hopes to regain his hearing one day. I hope so too.

Our shared friendship, and love of nature, keep us going back to where the trees, birds, and other creatures reach out to us and offer peace and tranquility.