I have had many occasions to help many different people in my life. One particular event comes to mind.
In the summer of 1998 I was driving back from Thunder bay, Ontario. I had been on the road for about on hour and I needed to releave my bladder. So, I stopped by a wayside rest. Unfortunately, there was no rest room facilities. Upon exiting my 1986 Chevrolet Camaro, I had noticed an elderly couple exiting there vehicle. So, the young and energetic man I was, I decided to walk up to the elderly couple and ask them if they needed assistance. They both said "no" and that they would be okay. So, I decided to visit with them. Upon many questions and answers, they had asked me if I was Ojibwa, I than excitingly said "yeah."
They than decided to inform me that they were just coming back form Canada. The elderly White man had stated that he went to go and visit a healer in some remote reservation north of Thunder bay. He had told me that he drove all the way from Illinois. I was amazed to know at this point, that, there were non-First Nation peoples who sought out elderly teachings and wisdom. I was really excited. What I than noticed was that this elderly man was limping, favoring one of his legs. I had asked him what had happened and he said he didn't know. He had woke up one day and his leg wouldn't work right anymore. Upon talking with him and his wife for about twenty minutes, I really told them that I needed to go and take a "walk." So, the two wished me well and told me that they would pray to Jesus to keep guiding me. I told them that I was thankful for being able to meet them and that I wouldn't forget them.
I than walked up a hill and continued up and around a walkway. This is where I decided it would be far enough away from people to releave my bladder. As I turned to continue my walk, I ran into the elderly white man. He was tired and somewhat out of breath. So, I decided to ask him if he was okay, he eagerly said "yes-and that he would be alright." I than, at that point, decided to tell him a secret....a secret of Gichigaming! I told him how I once was told by an elder named Bill Sutton about his experience with Gichigaming......Lake Superior.
I had related to this elderly man, how one time Bill had to help an old woman of his tribe. I had said that Bill had decided to take some water out of Lake Superior and bring it back to his reservation, Lac Courte Orreiles or LCO. I than had said, that, Bill had taken that water and wiped it all over the old womens entire body. To both Bill and the old Lady's surprise, the old women had gotten better and her pain had eventually disappeared.
The elderly man was very thankful and baffled. I than had said, " If you need to use some of that water form our sacred lake, you are more than welcome, just put some tobacco in the water and explain what you are going to use it for." Afterwards, we decided to part paths and go back to our cars. I walked down the path and he went his own way. As I was on my way back to my car, I had stopped a few times and immersed myself in the overwhelming beauty and greatness of the landscape. As I arrived to my car, I happened to look over at the elderly couples car. I than walked over to their car to investigate. To my surprise and my bewilderment, I had noticed the elderly white man had looked way different. His eyes and demeanor had changed. He was sitting in the passenger side of the vehicle and looked at me. He than said" you know-young man, I don't know what you did to me up there on the hill, but when I came down that hill, I wanted to run and sprint. All the pain in my legs is gone."
I than, at that point realized how powerful sharing information was. "Whatever you have, whatever you did to me is a blessing-don't ever let anyone take that from you" said the man.
I than, told him that he was welcome and that I had hoped that their trip home back to Illinois was safe and smooth.
His wife had said, " God bless you child-you really are an angel and our prayers are always with you."
HMMMM.
I just wonder where they are now.
OGABEK
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