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The words here are in Tsalagi, the language of the Cherokee people. They carry a great deal of meaning to me and, for this prayerful post, I am grateful to "Kamama" (Butterfly).
I have no room left in my remaining time here on earth for any other feelings than gratitude for that time I did have here. I have spent a lifetime of holding anger close to me, but I can no longer do that, and I find that I no longer wish to do so. There's something about counting down from 270 (days left to live) that takes away many emotions that did me no good nor are they helpful to anyone else.
Those who know me are aware that my own religious beliefs incorporate a great deal of the spiritual lore of the Native American. I have lived with access to these people over many years and I find a great deal of comfort in those beliefs. I have examined them with a discriminating eye and questioning mind and have been enriched by my discoveries. Her prayer in the language of my ancestors is appreciated.
My original intent was to do a typical ribald, tongue-in-cheek Lafcadio T. translation of the words posted here. It would have had the writer wishing me bountiful hunting of muskrat entrails and a coonskin cap that shrunk on my head. Sure, it would have gotten laughs, but I realized I do not wish anyone to feel scorn or that I do not respect their efforts to set the scales back in balance. I could have had a grand old time, giggling with mirthful delight as I did this, and I had even begun looking up the Tsalagi words I could have used to respond. Then I thought for a moment.
I am reminded that one of my favorite scripture passages says plainly that there is a time for all things... a time to sow and a time to harvest, a time to weep and a time to rejoice; unto each thing a season.
This is my time to reap and I cannot afford to waste any more of the fertile soil of my life on anything other than following the example of Jesus of Nazareth who taught us the powerful words, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us..." I may have given some of this thinking away in recent Laf Lions when I spoke of forgiveness and the peace it brings. Oddly enough, I discovered that I had long ago given up hatred and a desire for revenge against anyone, even those people who gave me birth and a childhood of misery and despair no child should ever have to endure. Even Plaintiff No. 2 is off the hook but she can forget getting any more of my personal belongings. I don't guess my soul is just ever going to be all that forgiving.
To Butterfly, Wadv. Hiwanisku dagogadanelugasi. O'siquu. Tsulunahvski. Atsilahu ale hleki aya hiluni etikaiele hilunu igohidv. Akwidulihu halenu tsugasawodv gugala's. Todhidu, kamama. Tsilvquodi.
emenv.