Lammas Revisited
by Balance

Lammas, it seems we hardly knew ye! Here it is, mid-October, the summer rains seem to finally have figured out how to fall (thankfully!!), and I find myself writing this memoir of ten days in August! OK, OK, they began actually in July.

David, I believe was our first visitor for Lammas. Once he arrived, we Stewards knew the jig was up, and we prepared ourselves for the eventual onslaught! The grins were wide on our faces; the beating of our little (gigantic!!) steward hearts was POUNDING!! For Maqui and Eden, this would be their nthe ZMS gathering as Stewards; for Mika, Derek, Raif, Sean, and myself, well, we were about to earn our stripes!

Our planning had begun, actually, months ago. As each month would approach, more awareness would be brought to the discussion–and then? it's only weeks away and are we ready!?!? A resounding, "YES!" came the reply. Food had been ordered, menus designed, facilitators appointed, programs scheduled, rituals discussed, a feast… planned!

We welcomed visitors old and new alike. Friendly remembered names such as Sylver, Mikee, Willie, Tony, Anahata, and scores of others paraded back into our daily lives (don't be mad 'cause your name didn't get here, I only have so much space and I love you all the same, and you know that's OK?). There were new names to learn (yes, a special challenge for this quintuple air sign–"poof", uh, excuse me, what was your name again?), names such as September, Eric, Greg, Grant, Dillon, Carla, and a winner named Jameson who had us all charmed.

We camped, we cooked, we circled, we laughed, we cried, we angered, we heart circled, we eased, we ritualed, we loved, we made love, we cared, we hiked, we journeyed, we learned, we taught, we embraced, we grew, we grew tired, we cried again, we searched, we breathed, we laughed more still, we rang the bell, we sang, we danced, we listened, we told Archives, we listened, we listened, we listened, and sometimes we heard. We loved and made love, yes, yes, resoundingly, Yes!!

I recall seeing both Gods and Goddesses in all shapes, sizes, ages, colors, genders, and just about everything else that shouldn't be an issue. I learned patience. I learned how to stand my ground. I learned it's not easy being green or being a steward. I am learning compassion, indeed, it's become my mantra. So please be patient with me. OK, now back to our regularly scheduled program.

What more is there to say? Please know how blessed we Stewards feel to have so many of you come into our home and hearts, however briefly. It is the highlight, in many ways, of our time here. Oh, we do love the peace and quiet of our home the other 265 days of the year, but we brim with pride and happiness when we get to share it with all of you. So, thank you–you support us and bring us abundance in countless ways.