The first time I saw Red Mt. Fuji was with my mother in the tour bus on the highway.  The view of a Red Mountain approaching from far to near, on the winding highway, was a breath taking view.   The changing of the color from Red to Dark was a picture I always hold in my heart.  I told myself that one day I will see the changing of color from the first sight to the last sight.  That was exactly 20 years and three days ago!

The second time I saw Red Mt. Fuji was with my son standing in a court yard.  The huge Red Fuji was right in front of me.  All I remembered was how bright the color was and how noisy the exclamations of surprise and praise were.  Too many picture-taking on lookers!  Too much distraction around me! I did not see the whole transformation.  I didn’t see the beauty of it except the brightening of the color.

This time I saw Red Fuji alone and stood barefoot on the vast green lawn!  From the beginning of the thin line of red color strips became scattered dark red patches, the patches gradually merging, becoming a lump of burgundy color from the mid section of Mt. Fuji foot spread upward, sideward and downward, then it became a whole bright Red Mountain.  I did not move from my spot or dance on the grass (as I usually loved to do, when I feel emotion bubbling inside of me).  Then, the Red color disappeared from the bottom of the Fuji moved upward till the last red color vanished from the top of the Mountain. The changing of the color became faster and faster till it was all dark and a pale little star was right on top of volcanic crater ridge (rim).

 I stood there and watched without a thought on my mind. I forgot that I had a camera in my hand. I did not know how long it was, but that was the most peaceful feeling I ever experienced! I was in a different space and time!  I had no need of pictures. It is imprinted on my heart till the day I am gone from the earth.

This was the trip of carrying the uncertainty in me.  This was the trip that I thought only about myself and felt my own emotions, instead of gratitude for life or good will wishes for all the people I loved.  This was the trip in which I was seeking direction for myself.  This was the trip that began a new beginning on my next chapter of this life journey.

How appropriate that I experienced the Red Fuji by myself!  The first time, I actually did something entirely for myself only!

Nov. 21, 2011