In my Soul-Mate’s possessions, I saw again last week her old Dixon Indexed Bible. When I first met Carol in September 1933 at the University of Redlands, I discovered she was as conversant with its contents as I was with my new Montgomery Translation in English. In the Elysian Park across from our Campus, we read the Scriptures and prepared for our Sunday School classes with the Indian young People

residing in Sherman Institute, Riverside California. On Sundays I drove the big Open-aired Geology Bus to Riverside, with several Students who joined us.

Early in life I was told by my Mother and Sunday School Teacher to treat the Bible carefully; with respect. When it is ragged and torn, one is to burn it; not put it in the trash.

I have asked grandson John to burn Carol's old bible as he participates with several of our Family in a “Burning Man” experience in Nevada on Labor Day week-end. One of the rituals in this Seeking Experience, which accents freedom, is to cast old things into the huge Burning Man Fire.

Carol and I participated in an experience like this symbolism in Albuquerque about 30 years ago. We camped in the National Park outside the City. On Saturday night a huge wooden cardboard man was burned with people throwing in old furniture, clothing, objects, etc., to rid themselves of sins, thoughts, etc.. It was to cleanse and get rid of gloom and start afresh.

Sunday night we joined about 200 people and three mariachi bands, in singing in both Spanish and English, our love for Jesus and thanks for His Life ,and the lives of 7 priests who had been

slaughtered in the past. We marched, each with a long candle in our hand from the Altar of the Catholic church around the Hill of the Martyrs to the top of the hill in the bright moonlight.

Everyone sees different meanings in experiences like that. It is out of our backgrounds, seeking, and mind pictures that we wrestle with big questions:

“Who Am I? What is my Life? I have time, talent, and uniqueness...No one like me ever existed before. What do I really want out of life? I am seeking for personal fulfillment. Is it balanced? I am apart from all Societal privileges and restraints.. . I sleep on the desert floor....I look at the stars and think of the stardust from whence I came.

Symbolically, participants feed the fire with thoughts & things. The Burning Man theme this Year is a “A Floating World.” Grandson John thinks there will be over 20,000 this year. All bring everything. In Buses, Cars, Tents, etc.. Water and food is purchased in Reno, Nevada. The only thing provided is Street signs, police and Port-o-potties. (Sounds like Woodstock to me.)

This Bible that John will throw into the fire for me, has many torn pages and the binding is gone. The only faint writing says: “Carol Calvin April 2nd ,1927 From Mother and Dad.” Carol has added the name “Shikles’ in different ink after her name.

From her and me...there came bodies and so also with the grandchildren...from each of you children and your mates ...The only other writing is by her mother on the back page:

The Ideal Life

The Ideal Life is one of simplicity, sincerity, humility, unselfishness and self sacrifice; it manifests itself in LOVE without hatred or uncharitable criticism. It’s acts of religion are performed with the motive of pleasing God; It manifests absolute loyalty to God, is filled with earnest endeavor and fruitfulness. The result of such living is blessedness and safety here and hereafter.

-Mother

Love and Shalom

Your 90 year old “Patriarch”; Caleb Elroy.