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Sunny's existence becomes an endless routine of eating, sleeping, and working. She travels extensively throughout the world as her fame grows, but her personal life continues to deteriorate. In her confusion she fears that she is approaching the borders of insanity. One night she tries to drown herself, and realizes that it isn't the answer. Sunny begins her journey back to her roots by joining a band of aboriginal people in Australia, discovering that their ways are similar to her own. These people help her begin the walk back to her heritage, to replace the broken pieces of herself. Sunny continues to travel from country to country searching for ancient knowledge that has been lost for centuries. She feels the seeds that were planted so long ago crack open with a pulsating heartbeat from another time and speak of the infinite numbers as being the sacred language of Wakan Tanka. Sunny continues her studies in earnest until she reaches a time when she feels ready to fulfill her vow and return to study with Shung'. It is Sundance time when Sunny returns to the reservation. The Sundance Tree is in its place, and she is welcomed by many Sundance brothers and sisters as they come near to welcome her back to their sacred circle. Meeko is amongst those that come to greet her. Sunny and Meeko have time to catch up on old news as Meeko compliments Sunny on her newly found inner beauty and serenity. He lets her know that he now takes responsibility for destroying their relationship, and agrees that he threw away the only thing of value in his life. Sunny lets Meeko know that his love protects her from giving her love away too freely, and that she prays that their love will be renewed someday. Meeko states that Sunny is his heart, and that she is the passion that brings life to his soul. She agrees that Meeko is one of her best teachers, making her look at the broken pieces of her life that she had refused to see. On the fourth and final day of the Sundance, Meeko has twelve buffalo skulls attached to his back. On his final round he stumbles under the weight of the massive skulls and drops to one knee. He tries to get up with blood running profusely from the the newly torn wounds. He fails again as Sunny threatens to drag him around the circle, at the same time praying relentlessly. Suddenly she looks up to see seven golden eagles circling overhead and points them out to him. Meeko's strength returns as he hears their soft whistling voices calling to him, and he lunges forward and breaks loose. After the Sundance, Meeko finds it difficult to part from Sunny and tries to detain her. He returns home to his common-law wife Rachel, painting, drinking, fighting, hangovers, detox, raging terror, and guilt. He continues drinking and drugging, and soon realizes that he has full-blown AIDS and commits suicide. During the releasing of his soul, Meeko's face appears. Sunny cries joyous tears knowing that Meeko has made a safe journey back to Wakan Tanka. |
© 2000 The Red Pathway Learning Center & Foundation, Inc.
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Wind Wolf Woman |