One Person Can Make a Difference

Sometimes when I'm sitting near the water beside the waterfall on the mountain, I drift off into thought. I remember the times when life was much simpler and all things were as they should be. Today a memory that has been forgotten by me for a long time came flooding through my mind and I wish to share it with those that are interested.

My mother, the medicine woman of the North Country was called to the home of one of the families that lived in the village nearby. The parents of a child were beside themselves as to what to do with her. She had become withdrawn and would not eat or speak. If approached by another she would become combative and would lash out and claw at them with her finger nails. Then she would bite them until they would let go of her.

“We do not understand what is wrong with her and why she is acting this way“, they said. We try to understand her and we listen to her but she doesn't want us to and tells us that she hates us and wants to run away.

I remember it well for I was with my mother, for that was her way of showing and teaching me the important lessons that have made me the person I am today. She always taught by example and she made you apart of everything she did. I remember well how my mother handled the situation. She told the parents to leave the house and to go wait outside for her, as the child was not comfortable with them in the house. Then she said to me, “Come here son and sit in the chair and listen but do not speak“. So I did as she told me and sat there very quietly and did not move or speak. The young girl just stared at her and would not speak. Mother did not seem to be concern with this and started talking to the child in the same way she had always talked to me.

“Child, what is your name? I am told it is Emma. Is this true?” she asked. “Sometimes Emma, we all get so mad at someone that we just climb inside ourselves because it is easier then facing the reasons that caused us to want to live inside our self. Why do you want to run away from home?” my mother asked. Mother reached into her bag and pulled out a dream catcher that she had been working on for a long time and she placed it on the floor and smiled at the young girl. I thought you might like this. My son said it was not made for him. So it's taken up space in my bag. Maybe you might like it she said. Then without a word to me or the other child, she walked outside to talk with the parents leaving both of us alone.

The young girl stared intently at the dream catcher; then without a word shot forwards and snatched it up from the center of the floor and returned to the corner she had been sitting in. I just watched her and I remember that I found it amusing and I smiled. “Why are you smiling?“ she asked. “I don't know”, was my reply. You are lucky to have a great mother that takes you every place and makes you a part of all she does. she said. “Why is that”, I ask? Just because, she answered. I smiled and said, “Sometimes I just wish she would leave me at home so I can play with the animals in the forest. She says I can do that anytime but for now I must go where she goes so I can learn many things.”

“You're lucky then,” the girl replied. “Why is that”, I asked. “My mother and dad move around a lot and as long as I can remember we have never stayed more then a few months anywhere. I make friends and then I move and it's usually without warning. They just say we're moving and then we are on the road again.”

“You must have lots of friends to write to, then”, I replied. “Nope ,No use to make friends when your moving all the time”, she answered. “I see”, I replied. “Is that why you hate them and want to run away?” “Yes”, was her answer. “Why don't you come and stay with my mother and I? You would like it on the mountain and maybe your parents would decide to stay in the area. I don't have many two legged friends either and it would be nice to have a friend”, I said.

Soon the girl came out of her silence and both our parents heard us talking and carrying on and they all came into the room and just stared at us. I remembered the look on her parents faces; that of surprise and shock. “What did you do? This is now the daughter we have always remembered”, My reply,” I just listened to her heart and to her words“.

The Rainbow in the picture above my story reminds me of the eternal hope and the promise that Creator made to all his Creations. Which was he would always listen to the needs of his children and that never again would he bring a great deluge upon the earth like long ago.

Sometimes we forget that our children need stability in their lives and though we work hard and try to give them everything, we sometimes over look the most important things. Like allowing them their friends, listening to their wants and needs, and allowing them to just be children. Our children are our future and wouldn't it be wise to let them have their voice? Emma stayed with us almost four weeks and over the course of several years has stayed and visited the mountain many times. She has grown and now works with many children, helping them and their parents adjust to the fast paced life styles that our modern day society seems to spawn.

When asked, why she chose her career? Her answer, Is because a wonderful lady and her son just took the time to really listen to me and they helped my heart and soul by bringing stability back into my life. When patients come to see her and they stare up at the dream catcher that hangs in her office in awe because of its great beauty. She smiles and says that it has a story that comes with it.