PASSAGES
My wife, Delores, and I had the opportunity to attend the elders dinner at the
Siletz Tribal Community Center on Dec. 4. It was a joy to get the chance to visit
with our many friends and relatives in a social setting. Thank you Angela, Valerie,
Denise, and Nancy for spending your weekend to provide us with a great meal.
Ed Ben
Happy Birthday to Darcy Lal on
The Wall
by Mary Jane Robb
A. woman of 80 winters stood on a small plateau facing the power of the wind
swept Pacific.
It was a place of sacred beauty consecrated long ago by Native American warriors.
The tears of generations flowed through the tortured chambers of her heart, ever
in search of peace.
Her thoughts were of the many wars - broken hearts, broken bodies, and broken souls.
Her mind wandered, remembering the yesteryears.
The clean and fragrant air riffled her hair and the pounding surf was like the
rhythm of her heart.
She turned to face the wall, the black wall, the Vietnam Wall.
Upon the dark face of the shrine was inscribed the names of America’s children.
Once again the first fruits of a nation had fallen.
They were gathered to the bosom of the tender earth.
The earth holds their bodies in her arms and the father of us all hurled their sacred
shining souls to the heavens to walk among the stars.
A woman of 80 winters stood on a small plateau facing the windswept Pacific.
The sacred sounds of the final hour drifted by and pierced her consciousness.
Instinctively, she held the sounds of life close to her as she listened to the dirge of
death, the throb of the drums, the roll call of the dead, the wail of a bagpipe as
the final haunting lament of Taps floated out over America.
Her mind moved back over the sheer enormity of the number of names of America’s
children, 58,000 of them on this testament of black marble, our best and our
bravest sacrificed to the profane god of war and power.
Her being was pierced by the thought of another time, another place in a war-tom
land where an honorable man died. Jesus cried and his tears blended with the
mud, with the thorns, and with his blood.
And then He said the grace notes of a life well lived. “Forgive them for they know
not what they do.” “The greatest gift is to give your life for another.” “It is
finished, ” bringing forth the eternities of life.
The soft, gentle touch of dusk was high in the heavens, waiting to quench the sun.
The woman of 80 winters touched the sacred wall. Her prayers were riding on the wind.
In her minds eye, she wrote, “I love you.” Her hand reached out to touch a star.
In her dream, she held her children to her heart and once again her children nestled
in her arms.
Jan. 5. Ha, ha, ha! You’re still older
than me and you always will be. I hope
you have a great day.
I love you, Felicia
Happy Birthday, Mona Kay, on
Jan. 9. Where we celebrating?
Love you, Felicia
Mr. Gary Hutchinson - Happy
Happy Birthday to Tyrone Scott on
Jan. 21.1 love you so much, babe. I
know I am hard to handle sometimes,
but don’t give up on me. If at first you
don’t succeed, Ty, Ty, again. Aye.
Love always, Trish
Happy 7"’ Birthday to Jazmyne
Metcalf. You’re one cute little princess
(even when you’re actin’ bad). We love
you, baby girl. Have a great day!
Love, Auntie Trish, Tyrone,
Donovan, and Miakoda
Birthday, baby, on Jan. 1.
Love, Jen
My Best
Friends
By Julia Austin
My friends Mariah Garza, Chelsea
Wawrak. The best friends you
can have. We have been
through good times and bad.
But they always listen to me,
everything I say they under
stand. They are my shoulder
to lean on. My friends to guide.
My friendship with them I can say,
nothing to them, nope, no lies.
Whenever they need me, I’m here.
I will never disappear.
A memory lasts forever
Never does it die
True friends stay together
And never say goodbye.
Happy Birthday to our daddy,
Tyrone. We want to thank you for being
there for us. Hope your day is special
just like you.
Love, Dumbshine and Mia Moon
V
I
Jan. 7 - Happy 13th Birthday to my
beautiful daughter, Raina. May all your
dreams and wishes come true.
Love, your Mom
Happy 13th Birthday, Raina.
Love, your little sister Rosa
Happy 13"' Birthday to my wonderful
granddaughter, Raina. You are as bright
as the sunshine and as sweet as a rose.
Love, Grandma Terri Jordan
January 2005
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