Winter 2024

I won’t do it Ruby said, I won’t! Ruby was really upset. She was a teacher at school on the Navajo Indian Reservation. She was raised not far from the school. When she was small she and grandmother would herd the flock of sheep. Grandmother taught Ruby their Navajo culture and traditions. Our Navajo ways are strong and must never be broken for any reason grandmother said. And, she told Ruby you must always respect your mothers wishes. Ruby was now a thirty year old lady grown up with a mind of her own. She was educated to a point.
I won’t do it, I can’t, she was fuming. Last night the family gathered to tell Ruby her mother and sisters found her a man to marry. They went “shopping” and they found him. His mother agreed, yes, this is good for my son. Culture had to be obeyed. Both mothers spent many hours getting to know each other. This was the culture grandmother was talking about so long ago. Ruby had to obey. The family had it all planned. The medicine man was hired and would be paid three sheep. The bride and groom would drink fresh water from an ancient clay pot, a symbol of spiritual cleansing. This would make the union legal. Fresh mutton would be served and fresh corn roasted over the open fires. Relatives and friends from far and near would arrive. Everyone would be laughing and happy except the bride.
I remember Ruby at school months after the ceremony. She was not laughing. She was not happy. Sylvia, she said to me; I told my family I will do my own “shopping” from now on, and, she continued, I’m going to get rid of him. He is good for nothing and he does nothing! Every morning he goes to his mothers Hogan to have coffee. He acts like a child that never grew up. The next time he goes for coffee I’ll divorce him. I’ll do it in our traditional way. I’ll put all his clothes outside the door with his saddle on top. That’s our traditional divorce. No arguing no talking, it’s done.
I had not been feeling well for some time. The Navajo ladies came by to look at me. You don’t look so good Sylvia we’ll help you in “our” ways. They brought Navajo Tea that was supposed to bring the healing spirits over me. But I continued to feel ill. One morning they arrived with good news. You’re like a sister to us. We will fix you and make you well. Oh! Good I thought, some one really cares. They smiled and explained this is a healing done only by Navajo women. We will come back with cedar wood. We will make a small fire. When it burns down to just smoke we will roll you up in wet blankets and you will stand like a tee pee over the smoke. They arrived. I saw the wood, I saw the blankets, I smelled the smoke!! Many years later I can truly say Praise God, He uses all of His creation to Bless us.

Bath In A Bucket

It was Christmas Eve. I was living on the Navajo Indian Reservation in a very old and small travel trailer. It was a box on two wheels. The idea of Christmas had not yet reached the Indian people. I want to take a bath to celebrate Christmas I said to myself. I got a plastic five gallon bucket, water was scarce but I was celebrating and it was worth it. The night was cold, with snow and mud outside. I took a piece of card board to stand on. I couldn’t take a bath during the day because the Indians used binoculars to keep watch over their sheep. The dark of night was my only chance. The warm water rinsed over my body. I looked up to Give Thanks. That’s when I experienced the “Wonder Of It All” That connection with Heaven and our Savior who came to earth. He sees, He knows, He cares even if you’re standing in mud.
Every new generation has dreams. At school today, I asked students what their dreams were. I am so very happy to share with you their answers; doctor, teacher, nurse, veterinarian, Marines, truck driver, Navajo Nation Police Officer. What really touched my heart was when some said “I want to grow up and live to help other people” These are students you encourage with your prayers and gifts.
Sylvia