Seeing Dragons

A Deeper Dive into Episode Three of The Magic Hour

The White Dragon

Think about the first time you met a person who you consider a best friend. Where were you? What were you doing? What connections did you make?

I always find it fascinating to think about those first moments while looking at the tapestry of the relationship as it has formed over time. I also noticed that key elements of first meetings always stand out. For Cait and I it was looking at one of my paintings, and realizing that she could see my dragon. Which honestly was kind of rare. (Do you see it!?)

The act of creation, as Rudo and I have talked about on the dreamcast can have a tendency to be littered with self doubt and insecurity, so another person seeing this creature I cared very much about made me feel certain this was someone I wanted to know. And of course it fostered trust. Sometimes artwork can be a window. When someone knows how to look in, the act of being seen can be life changing.

Sure enough, over 17 years later, we are still quite close even though now we are long distance friends, and after going through epic and sometimes traumatic eras of our lives.

That initial experience of connecting to a person in the wilds of the world is really a way of finding magic. It is in many ways difficult to describe because the moment is a whirlwind of connection and translation- a dialogue of unique inner world languages. A new time of learning about another perspective and another story. Only after some time has passed and you can look back do those moments come clearer, developing depth of meaning.

It feels as if the threads of life lead us to each other and when I remember times like this, I am inclined to believe it. I wonder what those threads look like, if they could be seen and made tangible.

Are we following silver trails through the landscapes of life leading us to our next story? How do we know which ones to follow? How do we know they are there? What senses pick up these invisible paths? I think the answer is in that inner knowing that is invisible but strong. I think that inner knowing is distinct to each person, and takes a certain groundedness to discover. Despite any doubts, it is undeniably true that any sacred connection we have made with close friends has been some kind of echo. To be able to traverse that cavern of difference, the way we are each our own world and relating to each other from those home planets is miraculous.

To find those threads connecting us is a call from home.

Each time Cait and I have spent time together in these rich and varied chapters of our lives have been filled with meaning, wonder, curiousity, and grace. The same goes for all of my close friends. It is with that sense of sacred wonder that I leave this little reminder of the invisible paths before us, and that it is our birthright to find them.

Love you Cait.