Sooooo … I was talking to one of my
brother’s Mike W. (I have two!) about getting our kids enrolled.
Our father is not on our birth certificates and it’s a big deal as
I’m sure some of yooz know how difficult it is to prove; and how
‘blood quantum’ was created to essentially wipe American Indians
out as sovereign nations. In the conversation I told him that when I
was a little kid I never wanted to be married and be a cat lady. A
moment passed and Mike Wynde sez, “so…you’re Living the Dream.”
I know!!!!! I laughed so hard and when I was able to collect myself I
said maybe I should have picked something else? Hai! Oh well I’m
here now.
“Living the dream” tchuh! I love
it!!!
My dear cousin Amanda L. came by my
office today, she lives in the Big City so I don’t get to see a lot
of her so it’s really special when I do. This past June was
Rezberry Daze where enrolled members come up for fun and feasting and
hopefully win a drawing for money. I didn’t make it this year but I
did see some family so I am happy. Well Amanda and I got to talking;
we have both been through some really difficult times in the recent
past and commiserated and hugged it out.
I shared that I have stopped fighting
myself about living up here which was devastatingly awful for me
because of the culture shock I experienced. Ma-an!!!! Then I told
Amanda that I have come to accept that the Creator has put me just
where I’m supposed to be; that events have been falling into place
and the picture is becoming clear. Then Amanda said that she deals
with adversity and painful memories by accepting her own “Crazy”
and how it helps her function. I laughed heartily because
subconsciously I too have done just that long ago and trust me it
works.
Like this one time I brought a
Chiquita banana to work for my breakfast. My sister and I used to
fight over who got the blue sticker so our Mother would make sure
there were two to defuse at least one of our battles that day. So I
stuck the blue sticker where my third eye is and went merrily about
my day. When I went into the restroom later I got sticker shock.
OMG!!! I forgot to peel off the banana sticker and NO ONE told me it
was there or questioned me about it. Mortified I asked my co-worker
why she didn’t tell me it was there? She says, “I thought it was
your new look” in a calm voice. Then I laughed my flat Indian
buttocks right off.
Wha-at? I then realized there’s not
much I can do anymore that would surprise or shock people because I’m
very eccentric and quite peculiar, some folks might even say
downright weird. That’s okay by me though because they are correct.
The beauty of being considered a
nut-case has many advantages. Most people will give one a wide berth
so one has plenty of breathing space and freedom to move. One can
also dress in creative clothing and get away with it and are
complimented by other’s who wear less, shall we say, colorful gear
off the rack from WalMart. (I despise WalMart) Okay yes I do buy some
stuff there. I was never taught how to make my own gondie’s so
there. Better yet when one embraces and celebrates one’s distinct
odditie’s one can also appreciate others’ who do the same.
So go ahead and fly that freak flag my
dears!!! Life is way more fun when you cut the generic shackles off
your feet to dance. Creator made us as individuals so we do honor by
being unusual. WAKE UP!!!!
The Rezberry Veterans Powwow is this
July 11, 12 & 13; no one asked me to write this but it’s a
phenomenal gathering and the Veterans are highly honored and held in
the highest regard for their service. I want to thank them on paper;
truly the women and men alike carry on a proud warrior tradition to
keep their people safe. Chii Miigwech Ogichiidag! (Thank you very
much warriors). My father Jerry Charette who has passed on was in the
Air Force, my brother Michael Choate was/is Army. I appreciate them
and the people who support them.
I’m looking forward to the rest of
what passes for summer up here. I bask in the Sun, appreciate the
glory of greenness and magic lightening bugs, I’m anticipating
seeing old friends and making new ones and perhaps do me some
snaggin’. LOL! No just kidding about the last part.
*I’m sending big love and hugs to
the Linden Family*
