American Rebels

by Lindsey Rebel (United States of America)

Making a local connection USA

I forgot I could glow. The red New Mexico mountain range captivated my viridescent eyes and I did just that, I glowed. The mountains were brooding and loomed over us in a holy way. A way that forces you to acknowledge your own inner pristine truth. As a newly turned age thirty year old woman, I was standing by the side of a Native American man respectively twice my age. I prayed for light when the world handed me emotional darkness and I just happened to find human light in my newfound friend, Walter. As I headed down the interstate in my compact car rental, I never thought I'd meet somebody who would guide me to local spots the way he graciously did. Along the way of my travels, I met Walter as I pulled over to stop for a rushed piss break where I had to buy a coffee just to use the toilet. I was traveling to a famed mineral springs resort in the middle of nowhere New Mexico. I was hesitant to talk to him but something put me at ease as our conversation preceded. Walter spilled local secrets from the towns over like who sells coke to Julia Roberts, and where the best place to get green pork chile was - even though I repeatedly stated I was vegetarian. The supreme beauty of the unknown that led us to meeting one another in a truck stop like burger joint helped to transform me emotionally when I needed it most. As we were driving along a barren interstate, there was a hope that filled us that day we met with an understanding of life meaning more than just acknowledging bones in a human being. Especially in a commercialized material world where people can't always convey that understanding. It was the simplicity of the environment and Walter's endearing company that was the best cure for my aching heart at that time. We found ourselves surrounded by the natural richness of the Sangre de Christo mountains, as we peered upon each other and celebrated finding not only our way but friendship along the mountainside curves. I was glowing inside surrounded by an enchanting healing vortex. I was in awe of nature's solution to my heartache in God's creation, yet it was the beauty of our fragile human connection that inspired me most. We were each holding back our own inner versions of loneliness that were accompanied by one another peering upon geologic masterpieces on Earth. In that moment, it was more than wishing for an adventure that brought us together. It was a grace that transcends blood floating in the atmosphere. On this trip out West, I understood holistically just to admire things in the fleeting moments of time. After many months of my own crying, I was reeling from an exasperating breakup suffering from complicated social loss after emotional loss in my life. I came out West from the East Coast to Colorado with no game plan other than getting caught up in legalized cannabis smoke. Desperately trying to put the thoughts and groans of an ex-boyfriend of mine that was just not right for me behind me, just like my twenties and my mediocre life. It was Walter's company that made me realize how frail we are without one another in life. How our senses can fail us at times yet lead us onward to understanding this journey we share in heartfelt ways. Like how sometimes we just need to acknowledge that we are not led to our destination by strangers but by people that become friends that expand our realization of our true selves. Whether life fills us with the ebb and flow of beauty or destruction, I buried my tears in holy dirt, taking with me a memory of hope that will never evade my mind or eyes. Even if it was only for a short time, staring into the deep dark starlit skies with Walter in New Mexico hearing about local antics and tales, it deeply touched my heart. It left me with a memory I cherish of love with no strings attached but rebellious American freedom complemented by the wild starry New Mexico sky.