Things
you never knew about your Medicine Man
It's
a year gone by since Old Man Bear passed. It wasn't until a week
later that I learned of it as I was away on family business. I
remember my heart breaking into a zillion tiny pieces... he would
take the journey now. He appointed me long ago to do the ceremony,
leave food out for him every so often to build strength for him as he
traveled. It is an old way from the Time-That-Was-Before to leave
food for the dead and it was his wish that I do this after his death.
He called me his Keeper of the Soul. So for a year I have tried to
keep my promise and to keep him alive in our hearts and memories. But
tonight I will do the other half of the ceremony that sends him to a
realm... a paradise of his choosing.
Before
he is set finally to the gates of that world I want to show you some
of what this incredible man did in his life. He was a shaman yes but
he also accomplished much more. He was a lobbyist for a law to bring
Pluie's Highway to light. It passed but still collects dust waiting
to be implemented. He was a gourmet chef, a professional
photographer, wedding officiant, death companion, published author,
(Under The Mesa Blanca Bridge) and he even ran for office in Texas
and nearly won. He founded a charity that provided computers to homes
for the poor and so many other things... always learning and always
an advocate for education. He had more knowledge and spiritual wisdom
than anyone I'd ever met. He once helped an abused woman escape a
terrible situation... and believe me I am grateful.
But
do these things, these heavy-handed words serve to properly describe
who Rev. Bear Jones was? Never. There have never been words created
eloquent enough to give proper honor to him and what he meant to me.
He never let this wheel-chair destroy me. He taught me the difference
between handi-capped and handi-capable. I have come this far because
somewhere a Bear believed in me... taught me to believe in myself. He
helped me earn my degree, was more than a priest, more than a mentor,
more than a friend. But to hear him he was just a simple bear.
I
will list below a few links about things he did but while you peruse
these stop and think about what truly defines greatness. Is it how
much he accomplished? Or is it how many he touched?
http://www.nps.gov/glac/forteachers/pluie-the-wolf.htm
pluies highway
That's
my side of it,
Angel
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