WE GATHER TOGETHER by Edward L. Woodyard

We Gather Together Chapter Eighty-Six

Scott McCulloch took over driving duties from Maya after the Bimmer passed the eelery of asphalt and cement highways south of Chicago, finding the last eastbound rest stop oasis on I-80 where they did what was becoming a routine between them: fill up the car with gas, check under the hood, go to the bathroom, clean out the car of trash and then restock it with drinks and fresh food. It had taken less than three hours to traverse Illinois and they were sprinting across Indiana toward Toledo, making good time.

Scott had promised Maya they'd stop that night in western Pennsylvania to take showers and sleep on mattresses; however, there were at least another seven hours before they could do that. Ohio would absorb a majority of that travel time. Using a travel-accommodations app on her cell phone, Maya found a motel for them in Clarion, Pennsylvania; however, due to the high occupancy rate and lack of vacancies because of all the Thanksgiving travelers, she and Scott would have to share a double room. Since that wouldn't be a problem for them and she didn't want to lose the room to someone else, she confirmed the room immediately.

Maya then contacted her new co-workers in New York before the last of them left for the holiday tomorrow, confirming that they would be back in the office the following day – and so would she that Friday. Scott heard Maya discussing crowd sourcing, test runs for varying patterns, strategic buckets, eye tracking, and refreshing brand identity by enlisting schools in a public relations campaign.

After Maya got off that call, she texted her sister that she'd call tomorrow when the Noguchi family was together. She said she didn't know yet where she'd be, probably in Hoboken, but she would be with Scott so that was good with everyone. They also agreed that people shouldn't be alone on holidays if they could help it. Maya suggested that she and Scott might spend Thanksgiving in a restaurant or help distribute meals in a church, but wherever it was, it would be memorable, nevertheless. At least, Maya assured her sister, they could do face time on their cell phones when she called.

Scott then asked if Aunt Nora would be there with her watercress tofu salad, to which she answered, "Of course."

When Scott inquired about any other traditions, Maya told him about the concept of the four directions of the harvest table, informing him that Maya's sister had married a man with Lakota Sioux ancestry. "We all thought it appropriate to incorporate one of those traditions since there wouldn't even have been a Thanksgiving, or maybe even a United States, without the help of the native tribes of Massachusetts."

"And then look what Manifest Destiny did for them," Scott said.

"There were atrocities on both sides. Don't forget what the Shawnees did on the Appalachian frontier, bashing babies' heads into trees when they kidnapped their mothers."

"History can be whatever facts you choose to believe. For every example, there's a counterexample. It's a vicious circle with never a right answer."

"It's the past and there's nothing anyone can do about it now," Maya said, "It's not going back to the way it was." She became resolute. "That is not what we honor and celebrate, nor do we ignore it. Thanksgiving is a time to be positive, not critical. It is a time to reflect, and to heal, if necessary. This is a country of many cultures with many family traditions. We can find unity as a nation in this one holiday. It is about working together and living in freedom. We all share that. We honor the coming together of many peoples in a common purpose. E pluribus unum, and all that. That is what we give thanks for. We should all be thankful that we live in a nation where anything optimistic is possible. And it is one reason why my family honors the four directions of the harvest table at our Thanksgiving in Sacramento."

"As well as Aunt Nora's watercress tofu salad," added Scott, wanting to ease the gravitas of Maya's sentiments.

Maya continued, "I was brought up with a philosophy that we associate with bonsai."

"Must be from your grandfather."

Maya nodded. "It's rather complex in its simplicity and simple in its complexity. Like bonsai. It is this: we love because we live. We live because we love."

Scott didn't really know how to respond, so he asked, "Are you a Shinto?"

"No, a Presbyterian."

They both smiled at her admission of faith.

Now it was Scott who became somber. "I don't know if I have any faith anymore. Or if I ever did."

"You had it in yourself and others. Believe me, Scott, you have faith."

He fell silent. Maya knew that she would be there to listen when Scott was ready to talk.

Scott passed a moving van with two children's bicycles strapped to the back and an empty school bus. Northern Indiana was all grays and browns for the most part. It was that time of year, when the leaves fell and the trees braced themselves for the snowstorms that were sure to start within a couple of weeks, adding another dominant color to the landscape: white. The cerulean blue sky was bright, in contrast to the black of the road's asphalt and the drab and dull colors dominating the interstate corridor.

Maya was searching for her ear buds when Scott admitted to her, "I'm not familiar with the four directions."

Maya explained that the Lakota Sioux saw the world as having four directions. She then googled "four directions harvest table" and relayed to Scott that it came from the four winds, with each direction having a special meaning and color associated with it. East was yellow and symbolized the direction of the sun. It meant new beginnings and allowed light to shine on people, giving them the wisdom to lead good lives. South was red and symbolized warmth and growth. The sun's rays drew the power of life from the earth. West was black and represented the setting sun and the end of life. Since most weather came from the west, especially thunderstorms, it was the source of water such as rain, lakes, rivers and streams. Nothing could live without water, so it was life-affirming. Maya then told Scott that the fourth direction was north and its color was white, the same color as snow and ice. The cold winds of winter cleansed the earth, causing leaves to fall and allowing the earth to rest under snow. Experiencing those conditions permitted people to learn patience and endurance, even while withstanding adversity and anxiety. Maya then noted that there were two other colors for two other directions, blue for the sky above where people sought inspiration and hope, as well as green for the earth below which nourished and fed people. "And that's it."

"And we're in a northern direction heading east, so we're about to be cleansed by new beginnings. That's sure true for you. You're headed to a new beginning where it snows."

"Before then, I'll be cleansed by the hot shower I'm taking tonight," Maya said, smiling at Scott. "Maybe you will be too."

"Take a shower? You bet," he said, sniffing his underarms. "Deodorant's still good."

"Headed to a new beginning," she said, correcting him.

"Need to be cleansed first. By snow and ice. After I drop you off in New Jersey, maybe I'll turn around and spend some months skiing in the Rockies."

"After you drop me off, why don't you visit your family in New York?"

Scott didn't know how to respond. He thought for a moment, but said, "I don't know how happy they'd be to see me."