07 September 2004 - 3:49 am

DAY SEVEN - WELCOME BACK

SEPT 5: Mike & Walter were sick. Walter from a cold and Mike from being wasted. When I woke up, our camp was being broken down. I was sad, because I was going to miss the burning of the Temple. When I visited it the other day, I left a little memorial for my friends father, Jim Kaufmann. The temple burns on Sunday, and some people say that the burning of the temple is the best. I think because it's less "show" and more "burn". I guess I'll have to find out next year. At least I was able to say goodbye to Jim in a special way. People write the names of loved ones and tack pictures and other memorabilia on the temple. Many use it to say goodbye to anything and everything. I was saddened to have to miss it. But it wasn't my call. The sick needed to leave. I'm grateful to have atleast seen the Burning of the Man myself.

We packed up, and headed out. As we rolled out, we were met by more greeters to bid us farewell, ask for left over beer and water. The last one said "Welcome back to the Real World", i said "Boo!" Then I dawned on me. When I was first greeted, he said "Welcome Home". Yeah. I understood it now. I WAS home. I truly felt welcome there. It was a new home. I felt like I belonged there. I was able to be who I am.

leav note or sign here

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