Chapter Eighteen:
Spinning Llama Yarns
[Page 3]
There are many tales that could be told of Elk Hill. Linda and
Nelson seem to have truly found their right livelihood in llamas.
In recent years, as their own herd has grown, they have known the
grief of losing beloved animals, the frustration of females with
pregnancy problems--and the countless moments of delight that come
from living with llamas. At present they are excited about the birth
of their first female baby and the acquisition of a stunning new
stud they're purchasing with friends.
Throughout the llama community there are stories unfolding. Llamas
are touching the hearts of an increasing number of new llama owners.
There are yarns to be spun about the interesting ways that people
and llamas are coming to understand each other more fully. Penelope
Smith has been doing a lot with llamas and their owners. She tells
me that she has now met several llamas with Posey's type of energy.
Another wonderful communication tool is TEAM, a very gentle, respectful
way of relating to animals which Marty McGee and other llama owners
have adapted to use with llamas. Last year, Kelly made a videotape
with Marty at Stanlynn Daugherty's ranch. I was helping, but on
the first day of taping I had to retreat to our van for a crying
spell. The delicate dance between Marty and the llamas was fulfilling
potential that I had sensed but never reached.
"Do you miss living with llamas?'' friends often ask.
There's not a simple answer to that question. Yes, I miss my llama
friends. When we moved to town, I couldn't even bear to go see our
animals for a while. But it feels right that we left Juniper Ridge.
The pain I felt when we moved has given way to a realization that
the llamas live in me. Their serenity continues to soothe me. Their
herd interactions, which have so charmed and amused me, have given
me a larger view of human herd interactions. I sometimes think of
our males' territoriality when I watch the evening news.
Every llama I've owned has increased my awareness of what it's
like to be a llama, and by extension, what it's like to be alive.
I've learned that we humans are part of a much vaster community
than I had realized. I may not be living with llamas, but I am still
learning from them.
When Kelly and I decided to leave Juniper Ridge, we could bear
to give up a life we loved very much because we both felt that we
were somehow making space for an even greater love to come into
our lives. We didn't know what forms it might take, and now, almost
three years after leaving the ranch, it's beginning to manifest.
Kelly is refurbishing an old electric van, and if he can extend
its range enough, we may travel around in it, writing and videotaping
about our adventures. We are going to Mexico soon, to make a videotape
about children. Before we met, Kelly and I both had dreams of world
travel, doing things that would help bridge the gaps between nations.
We haven't lived these dreams out yet, but they are coming closer.
We've joked that we should name the next llamas born to us "Passport''
and "Visa'' to create a mindset that would make it easier for
us to sell them!
When I ruminate now on the years with our llamas, I feel again
the love that the animals evoked in me. It is no longer so attached
to particulars; free of form, it fills new spaces, gives me courage
for new adventures.
As I have let my love for the llamas deepen, along with it has
come a greater sadness at the state of our world. Llamas, along
with all other beings on earth, are in peril. I don't need to list
the dangers; who hasn't heard about them? I spent years feeling
that there was little I could do. But now I am compelled to do whatever
I can. If Linda and Nelson keep nurturing llamas, if Penelope and
Marty keep helping humans and animals to communicate more fully,
if Kelly keeps making videotapes, if I keep telling my tales, and
if others do whatever they are most deeply moved to do, what can
we all create together?
I hold a skein of Lil Bit's wool in my hand. It's now a lovely,
multi-hued yarn. What will I make of it?
[The
End]
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