As I wandered through Phuttamonthon relishing in the small gardens and the lush greenery and getting lost along the paths that led along canals full of fish of all kinds while the air was pulsing with the smell of sweet jasmine, I kept thinking..."I should have brought Buddha. This would be a grand place for him."
I know, I know. I'm still carrying around my dead dog in the creases of my heart reserved for just that kind of thing. Resting places for dead dogs to call upon when you need comfort. Even while I thought those VERY WORDS, I also admonished myself because I left Buddha in the temple, specifically, at Burning Man, as well as in temples and shrines all over the world *last year* after he graduated. He's well enshrined, well honored, well remembered. He's also back sharing my pillow with me every night, let's not forget.
Still...
Just as I reached the tall standing Buddha in the center of the park, again lamenting the absence of my own Buddha, I received a text from my professor asking if I was at "Buddha's Headquarters?" Meaning, yes, the dog. I will be the first to admit that we have anthropomorphed the dog into a god, but aren't all dogs gods to some degree to those of us who are lucky to share our hearts with them?
I was about to reply to him when, out of nowhere, seven dragonflies appeared.
Dragonflies.
Of course.
When Buddha died last year, dragonflies appeared. In late March in Utah. Dragonflies would appear whenever I walked Stella. In the snow in the middle of the city. At bus stops. Where dragonflies do not fly. There they were. Choosing to alight on her tail and on my fingers. They were everywhere while I was out at Burning Man. Flying through our little camp. Choosing to land in my hair. There was even an art installation of the life and death of dragonflies. I chose, because of all of this, not even *knowing* that he'd return so soon, to incorporate a dragonfly into the tattoo story that graces my left arm. A reminder that we are all light and can reflect light in powerful ways if we choose to do so.
Dragonflies. Dead dogs. Buddhas. Transformation.
Sometimes, you travel halfway around the world to find the center of your own heart and plant your feet firmly back on the planet.
On the wings of a dragonfly, if you're brave enough to hold on.
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