Maybe it was pirates hiding their ill-gotten booty on some deserted island in the middle of the ocean, where you would first have to locate the island and then follow the detailed map that the pirate captain drew on some parchment and tied with a jute string.
Ten paces to the tree that leans left, follow the direction of the largest palm frond 20 paces till you see a black rock, on the rock will be a small scratch that will define the next direction which leads you 45 paces to a second palm tree with roots that protrude through the sand.
Locate the third root to the left of the north face of the tree and “X” marks the spot. I’m sure we can all visualize the wooden chest that is ensconced in the depths of the sand that once lifted from its tomb we find is adorned with brass hinges and a lock with the obligatory, what is known as an antique circle and square opening that will only open for the skeleton key, which always goes with pirates.
Inside you find gold, silver, and jewels beyond imagination, that have been hidden from sight for nigh on a thousand years.
Or maybe you were a western fan and listened to yarns spun around the fire of a mine or cache of treasure that a woe-begotten miner or cow puncher hid from all the would-be thieves and murders that have malice in their hearts and greed in their minds.
Scratched on the back of a random and nondescript piece of rawhide are random almost poetic thoughts, but when placed in the right order leads the cowboy back 20 miles to a baldy mountain with a rock slide on the south slope; traveling south towards that slide a half a mile you will find a spot where the conifer trees reach all the way to heaven.
A rocky outcropping lies 150 yards southeast, where a mountain stream flows to the west side leading to a meadow that reminds you of the woods back home, 250 paces northwest leads you to the largest tree which has a den or hutch from some animal that has long since abandoned it.
Tucked deep in that hutch on the far right side is a sack of misappropriated gold and bills from a heisted stage or bank, tucked away for a later time when the use of these gains will not raise suspicion as to its origin.
To this day there are movies, television shows and even reality shows that center around the hidden treasures that may or may not be buried, hidden or otherwise entombed somewhere on this planet.
These stories have always been a part of our culture and belief system. I’m sure that some of these stories and locations are true. I too believe that there are locations of hidden treasures and artifacts that may be stumbled upon by some unsuspecting traveler, or possibly even by some historical professor with what is believed to be the official map.
For me it’s not the treasure that is the important part in this scenario, it’s the map. The treasure is like everything for me, “out of sight.” And it’s the map that gets me from place to place.
We all live by these maps, it's just that they are not relied on as much by the sighted. Those of you with vision use that to navigate the world as we know it, however, as you do, those treasure maps are being created and stored away.
To demonstrate my point close your eyes and imagine a room in your house – preferably one that you are not currently in, and describe the room including colors furniture and other decor or accents that may be in that room.
You could also describe a scene out one of your windows. Garden, trees along with any other yard decor you may have added along the way.
There’s your map —
I would also be willing to bet that if you closed your eyes, you could navigate that room or yard — maybe slowly, maybe hesitantly but I bet you could. Believe it or not, you have unconsciously counted steps and measured distances your entire life.
Without vision, I now have to do it consciously. Everything is a treasure map and arriving at whatever destination is the treasure.
— Wake, three paces to the end of the bed, turn left, 6 paces to the door, turn right 3 paces down the hall to the bathroom, turn right 4 paces to the toilet, on the left. —
I like to imagine the famed treasure map that is in every movie and story; brown background to represent ground, black dotted lines for the path, blue to represent the water in the toilet and numbers beside each of the dotted pathways to represent steps.
(Of course, there’s a large “X” written in the "antique pirate script" or possibly even crossed swords, over the toilet bowl.)
People wonder how I get around so well – it’s the treasure maps. I count every step and I draw maps in my head that both represent what I remember from my days of vision and what I have learned since losing it.
Arriving safely at any destination is the treasure, whether it’s the bathroom or the grocery store, navigating the living room or a downtown street; all of those maps have a hidden place in my mind, rolled up neatly and cashed away where you will need a separate treasure map to find.
– SP
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