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Here are three characters, a man and two women, from each end of the age spectrum. It is wise to pay full attention to these characters if the reader is astute. Reading will not be easy since emotions are raw and open. Right from the start the pendulum swings from sad to happy, from regret to hopes and dreams. We are introduced to Sunny, and her future is outlined, a powerful future if it is to be in the Medicine way. At this point the future looks uncertain at best since Sunny is born not only illegitimate but a breed. Sunny's father, Sam, has his own family and problems, and Sunny appears to him to be one more problem. However, Sunny's grandmother, Cheering Woman, is a traditional Medicine Woman and she promises to raise Sunny in the old Medicine way to serve both cultures. We sense power and truth in her words. If we listen carefully to Cheering Woman, there is wisdom for every day as we learn through Sunny's eyes. Through Cheering Woman's teachings we learn about herbal medicine, as each cycle of seasons teaches us through our senses. Cheering Woman touches us in a timeless way no matter our background. Hers are the words of real love; love of our mother, the earth, and all her relatives. There is hope for future generations in her words as she speaks the language of all of her relations from the past, and it is our privilege to partake of this knowledge as we read. As Sunny grows, her father seems to be just a stranger until the day he surprises her by paying a visit. He brings Sunny a knife, and we wonder about the nature of this gift. Since Sunny has been taught in the traditional way, the gift could mean that her father was severing their relationship. However we learn that her father has decided to try and get to know his daughter in the only way he knows how by sharing through the gift of the knife. Cheering Woman gives us a thumbnail sketch of Sam's appearance that speaks of neglect, but rather than be angry at her negative words he relishes the attention. Sunny already knows the gossip about her father so she is not sure how to respond to him, and we sense another chapter could be opening up for her. We hear more of Cheering Woman's lessons, amongst these the lesson of respecting chickens through picking one out of the outhouse hole! We wonder about the Rope of Hope, and learn that the gift would only be given when Sunny was ready to respect its strength and power. Learning to live as a good human being is difficult and we understand Sunny's frustration with the discipline of walking in the traditional manner. Since this belief is the way of individual choice, Sunny has reached an age where she can now begin to make her own decisions. She is obviously struggling to make these choices, and it seems as if her grandmother's actions and example helps Sunny. We are reminded that Cheering Woman is no longer young. Who will carry on after her death? For now there is healing work to be done. Her father is destroying himself with alcohol. Sunny understands this as her grandmother prays to the powers of the Medicine Wheel to free her son from its clutches and bring him back to the road of his ancestors. This road will heal him as it teaches the lessons of the cycle of life. |
© 2000 The Red Pathway Learning Center & Foundation, Inc.
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Wind Wolf Woman |