Back home where the buffalo roam (literally)

G

Guest
Messages
82
Location
Wounded Knee, SD
Théhaŋ waŋčhíŋyaŋke šni

I got back home from Syria about 2 weeks ago, which was a bit of an adventure in itself. I was in Jordan for almost a month before getting a Jordanian diplomatic flight to the UK and from there to the USA. Sad to say that the State Dept. did nothing in helping us Americans in Syria as part of several different NGOs back home. I was fortunate due to Dad's previous work over here and his reputation and friendship with Queen Noor. She graciously allowed me and some others to stay at the royal palace until Jordan could arrange our travel arrangements back home. I will say that she is quite possibly the most incredible, humble and intelligent person I have ever met. She spent quite a bit of time talking about my Dad and his work over here and was heartbroken about his and Mom's and Amira's journey home. She cried with me and gave me many hugs.

As to my time in Syria, I would be lying if I said I wasnt scared much of the time and spent many nights in tears from the sorrow, grief and death in the refugee camps. We moved several times due to Turkish troops firing on the camps and chemical weapons used within 20 miles of the original camp. I understand so much more not only why Dad spent his life dedicated to human rights and working overseas, but also the nightmares he suffered from and the guilt he carried.

The guilt comes from watching those you try to help and comfort die. It comes from leaving those behind knowing you are coming home to the comforts of home. And it comes from knowing that we collectively stand by and allow this to happen. I just dont understand why it is considered acceptable to turn one's back on those crying out for not only help, but crying out for salvation from the indiscriminate killing just for who they are or what their religion is or the color of their skin.

I know in my hear that I will go back. Once having been in the refugee camps, seeing the horror brought upon these people, the conditions of the camps, I cannot just go on with life without a worry in the world. It is our duty, our responsibility to help our brothers and sisters as Creator wishes of us. Part of the path of unconditional love Creator asks of us.

My husband and daughter are doing good and I have spent the last 2 weeks every waking moment with them and appreciating all I have here at Wounded Knee. I go down to Wounded Knee creek every morning to talk with Dad, Mom and Amira. My talks with them always center me and bring me comfort,

I know I have rambled a bit here, but wanted to let my extended family know I was safely home. I will post more about my time in Syria later and more about my time spent with Queen Noor

Mitákuye Oyás'iŋ -

In the Spirit of my Parents and Amira,

Gentle Horse

Un Wa chuntay oh gna kay.(be generous with your heart)
Oun she la.(show compassion)
Un Iglu Hukul. (be humble)
Yuoniha Wakan Takan.(honor Creator)
 
You and your entire family are amazing. Glad you are home and thanks for reminding me that there are good/great people in this world.
Philámayaye

It is good to be home. While I agree on Dad and Mom being amazing and great people, there is nothing amazing about me. I just try to remember what Dad taught me. We dont have to be extraordinary, just giving. That honestly is all it takes. Giving a part of your heart and soul to others without cause or reason. Only because Creator wishes this of His children that we each are.

Mitákuye Oyás'iŋ - All My Relations, which means We are all Related. It takes so little effort to give of ourselves to others.
 
I bet your Dad is proud of you, He and Creator are probably watching your every step and smiling the whole time.
 
Thank you for sharing! Amazing story! Glad you are back and safe. Can't even imagine those conditions and that BEFORE a pandemic hits.
 
Philámayaye

It is good to be home. While I agree on Dad and Mom being amazing and great people, there is nothing amazing about me. I just try to remember what Dad taught me. We dont have to be extraordinary, just giving. That honestly is all it takes. Giving a part of your heart and soul to others without cause or reason. Only because Creator wishes this of His children that we each are.

Mitákuye Oyás'iŋ - All My Relations, which means We are all Related. It takes so little effort to give of ourselves to others.


Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I am happy to see that you have found some peace and solace during your time away from home. Each time you share your time with us, we all try to learn and remember his message. Continue your incredible path and please stop by and share with us whenever you can. You are part of our family now and your Dad always will be.

I just got home from work and I was so happy to see your message. I was discussing you with my wife not too long ago as I was concerned with how things were going for you.

Thank you again, and know that I am happy to know that you are safely back at home.

...and, of course, GO DAWGS!
 
Philámayaye everyone for the kind words.

I do want to say how proud I am of my husband and daughter for not only keeping the ranch going, but for making the decision to slaughter over 50 buffalo and get the meat to the elders and needy families during this pandemic not only here at Pine Ridge but also on Rosebud and Standing Rock reservations as well. They did in my absence what Dad and Mom would have done without hesitation. It makes me so proud that they carry on Dad and Mom's legacy of giving to others.


I cannot say enough about my time spent with Queen Noor and just how much my heart healed when she talked about meeting Dad and Amira. I could tell that she was smitten with Amira and that she had not only respect for Dad but a fondness for him and how lived his life. She has so much presence about her. A quiet dignity and so much wisdom not only in her words but you felt it when she looked you in the eyes. I understand why Dad thought so highly of her and had me read her book, Leap of Faith - Memoirs of an unexpected life.

Her humanitarian work, primarily thru the International Commission on Missing Persons, has been incredible and so inspiring to so many others.

She reminds me of our Lakota elders - full of wisdom, empathy, quiet dignity and a gentleness in her words that both comfort and inspire you.



Mitákuye Oyás'iŋ -

In the Spirit of my Parents and Amira,

Gentle Horse
 
Théhaŋ waŋčhíŋyaŋke šni

I got back home from Syria about 2 weeks ago, which was a bit of an adventure in itself. I was in Jordan for almost a month before getting a Jordanian diplomatic flight to the UK and from there to the USA. Sad to say that the State Dept. did nothing in helping us Americans in Syria as part of several different NGOs back home. I was fortunate due to Dad's previous work over here and his reputation and friendship with Queen Noor. She graciously allowed me and some others to stay at the royal palace until Jordan could arrange our travel arrangements back home. I will say that she is quite possibly the most incredible, humble and intelligent person I have ever met. She spent quite a bit of time talking about my Dad and his work over here and was heartbroken about his and Mom's and Amira's journey home. She cried with me and gave me many hugs.

As to my time in Syria, I would be lying if I said I wasnt scared much of the time and spent many nights in tears from the sorrow, grief and death in the refugee camps. We moved several times due to Turkish troops firing on the camps and chemical weapons used within 20 miles of the original camp. I understand so much more not only why Dad spent his life dedicated to human rights and working overseas, but also the nightmares he suffered from and the guilt he carried.

The guilt comes from watching those you try to help and comfort die. It comes from leaving those behind knowing you are coming home to the comforts of home. And it comes from knowing that we collectively stand by and allow this to happen. I just dont understand why it is considered acceptable to turn one's back on those crying out for not only help, but crying out for salvation from the indiscriminate killing just for who they are or what their religion is or the color of their skin.

I know in my hear that I will go back. Once having been in the refugee camps, seeing the horror brought upon these people, the conditions of the camps, I cannot just go on with life without a worry in the world. It is our duty, our responsibility to help our brothers and sisters as Creator wishes of us. Part of the path of unconditional love Creator asks of us.

My husband and daughter are doing good and I have spent the last 2 weeks every waking moment with them and appreciating all I have here at Wounded Knee. I go down to Wounded Knee creek every morning to talk with Dad, Mom and Amira. My talks with them always center me and bring me comfort,

I know I have rambled a bit here, but wanted to let my extended family know I was safely home. I will post more about my time in Syria later and more about my time spent with Queen Noor

Mitákuye Oyás'iŋ -

In the Spirit of my Parents and Amira,

Gentle Horse

Un Wa chuntay oh gna kay.(be generous with your heart)
Oun she la.(show compassion)
Un Iglu Hukul. (be humble)
Yuoniha Wakan Takan.(honor Creator)


I am honored that your story and inspiration can be archived here. Please be safe and keep us up to date when you can of all this.
 
I have given some time to considering all that you said. First and foremost I want to say God Bless for doing something.
An old saying goes, "When all is said and done, more will be said than done."
And I speak from experience in this. To the degree that you and others who leave the comforts of home to go a troubled foreign land I cannot speak. But, my purpose beyond sitting and helping people new in AA has been jails and prisons. I have done a lot of that in my time in AA.
Even now a prison near me I am one of a very few who go there.

Now as far as the comforts of home. I begrudge no one anything. We have a lot because of blood shed and work done before us. What does bother me is a lot of people are not appreciative of what we have.

The greatest crime on this planet is man's inhumanity to man. And it does sadden me greatly.

Walk in peace and know no fear.
 
I have given some time to considering all that you said. First and foremost I want to say God Bless for doing something.
An old saying goes, "When all is said and done, more will be said than done."
And I speak from experience in this. To the degree that you and others who leave the comforts of home to go a troubled foreign land I cannot speak. But, my purpose beyond sitting and helping people new in AA has been jails and prisons. I have done a lot of that in my time in AA.
Even now a prison near me I am one of a very few who go there.

Now as far as the comforts of home. I begrudge no one anything. We have a lot because of blood shed and work done before us. What does bother me is a lot of people are not appreciative of what we have.

The greatest crime on this planet is man's inhumanity to man. And it does sadden me greatly.

Walk in peace and know no fear.
Philámayaye

It does not matter whether we help someone in our neighborhood, in a local prison, homeless shelter, Big Brother or Big Sister program, or any other charity or just in our own way. The only thing that matters is that we reach out with our hearts and souls to help others, whether on a small personal level or larger scale. You are making a difference in people's lives, that honors Creator. That is enough.

It is the only way we can begin to bring the humanity back. Only love overcomes hatred, especially the blind hatred without reason we see so much of today.

If we truly are the children of Creator and made in His image, then to hate another person is to not only hate ourselves, but also to hate Creator.

I truly wept when I returned home to so much division in our country. Something that should have brought us together has only further torn us asunder. Collectively, we all are guilty of this. There is no one person, no one political party, no one race, no one religion to blame. We are all to blame as a people.

How my heart weeps when I see cruel, heartless, hateful and callous statements based upon nothing more than differing political affiliation, differing religion or skin color. We as a people have to rise above this, or we shall forever lose our humanity

Mitákuye Oyás'iŋ -

In the Spirit of my Parents and Amira,

Gentle Horse
 
Top