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{column2}The ancient Japanese legend says that any patient soul who folds a thousand cranes will be visited by a magical crane and granted a wish. The crane is revered in Japan, and is said to live for 1000 years. Traditionally 40 cranes strung on 25 strings mark either the enormous labor for a wish that is deeply needed, (like a cure for illness), or is the gift to a wedding couple as a show of love and support. Sedako Sesaki was just 2 years old at the bombing of Hiroshima. At 11 she was diagnosed with Leukemia and struggled to achieve senbazuru before she died. She finished just 644, and children still send the missing birds to her grave site. Just in case you’ve never made even one here’s a handy guide for your inspiration.{/column2}
I offer this tale, of course, because today is the THOUSANDTH POST on this website, certainly a labor of love which began in the pursuit of a wish. We got our wish. As we stand two days away from the third beaver festival I am reminded that we have reshaped our wish to include beavers in Fresno, Newberg OR, Sammamish WA, Tulsa OK, Bemidji MN, Chicago IL, Berriens GA, Nolton NJ, Thetfort VT, Medford MA, Oshawa Ontario, PEI, Scotland and Riga, Lithuania (To name a few). That’s a pretty big wish. Might need two magic cranes. Hmm…better keep folding.
Thanks everyone for your help and inspiration. In honor of the momentous occasion I am opening the comments on this post in case you have something to add. (Click at the bottom where it says ‘comments’ for a dialogue box). (Let the beaver wars, sexual puns and viagra prescriptions begin!) Writing daily on this process has been a surprisingly powerful way for me to keep track of all the new twists and turns and manage my own emotional response to what has been an enriching, frustrating, rewarding, challenging and life-changing journey. Thanks for coming along with me.
