The Trail

by Ethan Gallogly

“All the while I study the Sutras I swat mosquitos,” quoted Syd.

think about sometimes from Zen Buddhism—about a small wave, bobbing around and enjoying himself in the ocean. Then one day, he sees all the waves in front of him being dashed against the rocks on the shore. In a panic he cries out to a great wave nearby, This is awful, don’t you see? We’re all gonna be smashed into nothingness! The great wave chides him, It is you who do not see. You are not truly a wave, you are water. Your form may transform upon the rocks, but your existence is eternal.”

how difficult it is to say something meaningful to someone who’s lost a loved one. About the best we can muster is, I’m sorry about your loss. And we prefer to send it in a card if we can. People who are dying are shunned—just at the moment when they need people the most.”

“we never really know what fate is. Sometimes a tragedy may really be a new opportunity.” “Like what you meant by fate is what we make of it?”