It was four o’clock, the town bells started to chime, and Charlie asked Ian to join them in a short walking meditation ritual. The four monks and Ian walked around the red velvet chairs set before the stone Buddha, chanting, “Namo Amitaba Buddha,” (I bow to the Buddha of Light).

Ian walked slowly and turned easily on his new foot. He had his hands in prayer, eyes closed, while ridding the burden left by Trees Smith. After a time he walked with the others to the red velvet altar and kneeled to the stone statue of Buddha three times while the palms of his hands lay upright and open. By the time Ian saw me peeking, I had tears in my eyes. I gave birth seven months later to a boy we named, Runner Ryan Kessler.

**********

Ian said I could choose any kind of day I wanted. He said no matter which kind of day I chose to see it in, clouds, rain, sun, or mist the door would always be open. Heavy cherry wood and important looking fabrics line the furniture in Ian’s office. A desk facing the front door centers between two easy chairs, a credenza lines the back wall under a window with a view of Ahimsa. Phone propped on his shoulder, his left arm around the message pad like a crescent shaped moon, Ian is on the phone to a client and writing down some notes. I have to laugh to myself at the thought of his left-handed scrawl being smeared by his fist as it drags along his line of writing. Ian looks up enthusiastically and whispers, “Come in.” Ian said the door would always be open to anyone who wanted to see it. My seamstresses, Charlie and I have already taken full advantage.

On the left hand side of Ian’s desk there is a framed picture. It is a picture of resolution and plenty. In the picture, between two black and white cows and two brown oxen standing next to the sand colored ox cart, Ian and I stand with smiles wider than the wagon’s width. We’re holding up six month old Runner on the wooden bench. He is grabbing the reins leading to the yoke on the oxen, ready for action. We are standing in a rolling green pasture under the bluest of skies. Ian said I could choose any kind of day I wanted. I chose a full Saturday morning sun and Ian thought that was good.