The Mission

It was March 7, 1970. There had been rumors of a life-changing event about to happen and we knew what we had to do.

A convoy of old cars filled with white college students with altered minds headed for the beach.

We were on a mission.

The details of our journey may vary from person to person and through the years become foggy but it was a memorable event.

Most of us agree there was slow traffic since the rest of the country wanted to view this event so occasional stops and a few Chinese fire drills and hopefully getting back into a car where people knew you.

Some say we went to a private restricted beach and some say we just pulled over and walked out on the sand. Either way, our tribe had arrived before the end of the world.

While families gathered in their little huddles and stared at the sky, we had bigger plans.

We formed a circle and started digging up the sand. Piling up the sand into a tower. We were fanatic and the tourist avoided us.

Taller and taller the tower grew as we chanted to the sun.

“Oh great Maasai and Bila and Gnowee. You bring us warmth and light. Oh praise Wala and Malakbel and Nanahuatzin and Ekhi. You are the gods of the sun. Meri and Marici and Surya and Belenos have mercy on us.”

Then it happened.

There were ripples on the sand. The birds stopped flying. The world became silent.

Yuyi, what are you doing to us?

Day became night and there was a chill in the air.

We were doomed.

“Oh the mighty gods Ra bring back the light. Sól and Titan and Aryaman have mercy on us. Ravi and Surya and Inti and whatever your name is, please give us back the light.”

We raised our hands and circled our sun tower as the tourist moved away from our religious experience. We were on a mission.

“Bring back the sun Kinich Ahau. Bring back the sun Hunahpu. Bring back the sun Akkadian. Bring back the sun Sumerian. Bring back the sun Muisca.”

At that point we started to kick down our creation as the others cuddled in the darkness.

“Bring back the sun Lakota. Bring back the sun Nahundi. Bring back the sun Sol. Bring back the sun Hors. Bring back the sun Koyash. Bring back the sun Zun.”

Some of the families started to join our chant and then it happened.

The sun came back.

Mission accomplished.