Tribe

My niece and nephews recently became full adult members of the Hopi tribe. They have grown up hearing stories, being surrounded by artifacts, and visiting their extended family on the reservation for dances and dinners, ceremonies, and festivals.

My neighbor is Jewish. Every Friday she makes challah and lights her candles with her daughters, and sometimes with other of her Jewish friends and family. She celebrates holidays with prayers and games, songs, and special food. Her daughters go to a special class once a week to learn their family’s stories and language.

I am a white American lady with no clear ethnic or religious affiliation. I have some semblance of an extended family that currently is spread across the map and not really getting along. I have children and grandchildren and am finding that I am quickly becoming an elder. My grown children look to me to house and speak to our traditions, our songs, our games, and our prayers. It is on me to keep whatever traditions I can, passed down to them. Without other elders around, it is lonely and I feel ill-equipped.

Until recently my two sons have been estranged. A few days ago they visited with their families. We sat at my table for a meal and I felt compelled to say something. I expressed how thankful I was to have everyone together around the table. I teared up and my children knew the depth of my heart and meaning. They had tears in their eyes too. We knew it was a prayer. And I realized each person at that table made up my entire tribe.