Gathering of the Tribes

It's ancient: the original social media; the gathering of tribes. Where are the good hunting grounds? What factions are fighting? Councils, negotiations, diplomacy, alliances, marriages arranged, like Hannah go marry so and so.

It's biblical: the show of faith, promised aid, protection, census.

It's indigenous: Festivals, celebrations, games, competitions, naming.

It's historical: Kings gathering their vassals, fealty, benevolent. Life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Thirteen colonies banded together. Show of strength. Drawing up of boundaries, war zones, the granting of rewards.

Tribal time to renew and strengthen connections. The slow nomadic arrival from the four points of the compass, across the prairie, across the mountains, across the desert. An ancient seed we carry out and implement every October. We don't need to barter or trade anymore, but we could. Our tribal gathering.

The Daley Tribe, the Manning Tribe, the Carrillo tribe (of one.) The Taylor Tribes make their annual migration for fellowship, food, convivial conversation, light arguments, heavy banter, watching the kids, light, walkers, foliage, fire. We know our tribe and fit it so nicely.

Tribal: a place to belong, be loved, be understood or at least accepted. A core family magnet that keeps us from drifting too far to be lost.


I figure I've spent six percent of my life waiting. Waiting for kids to get out of school, church, the game, dance. Waiting for friends to arrive, the bell, the light, the ferry. Waiting is a soft pastime. Now I'm waiting for the gathering of the tribe. My mind is filled with pleasant anticipation.

With love, I will see you at the gathering.