Thanksgiving on the Rez

A note from my Gratitude Journal, written on Thanksgiving Day, 2007:

I am in Tohatchi, NM with my little family. We have rented a motorhome and have just finished dinner with Grandma Bitsilly and various family members. While I was unsure if this was how I wanted to spend my holiday weekend, I know it is important that my children, Denten and I have the opportunity to strengthen the relationships we have with this part of our family.

I have been reminded the last few weeks that while the Bitsilly's are not always the first people that come to mind when I think about my extended family, I am blessed to be a member of this unique family and an observer of this culture. Despite the behavioral or lifestyle differences this family holds, they are very supportive of one another and strive to be close to each other. I have seen them rally around a brother, uncle, cousin in order to help them fight an addiction or support their family. They join together to celebrated births, milestones and are very supportive of each other's successes. Most recently they have kept in touch, fasted and prayed across miles for a cousin to recover from a serious accident. Grandma really appreciates the effort her family makes to travel to see her and loves to be with them. While her children come by occasionally, she has said she is lonely here by herself. She has enjoyed Cooper and Seneca and while they have gotten a little bored, it has been a good reminder of the way of life here and the issues that continue to plague this society.

I spent time visiting with Grandma recording what she considers to be her life history. It was facinating to hear the details she remembers and watch her recall her past. I am grateful to have this history to pass onto my children.

I am grateful when I am here for the conveniences of modern day that I have come to view as necessity. Cleanliness, warmth, space, all things that I enjoy every day and find myself missing when I leave my more-than-adequate comfortable home. By the same token, it has been a pleasant reminder that our daily lives become easily complicated. A distance from the computer and constant phone calls puts the focus back on simple play and value of simply being together.

A few photos of life at Grandma Bitsilly's:

Cooper helping Grandma with the sheep.





Thanksgiving Day: Jo making frybread... so delicious!



Our adorable centerpiece



Auntie Del dancing with Senny, introducing her to George Strait, who they were both drooling over!



Grandma had a bit of legal work for Denten to do while we were there. Drafting the document wasn't a problem until we saw the lack of modern day equipment we had to work with... after several tries (no functioning backspace or whiteout), we both added the "delete" key on the computer to the things we were grateful for!



My babies with their Navajo Great-grandmother.



Grandma Bitsilly is an amazing woman who has raised an amazing family. I am truly blessed to have been accepted into this culture. "My white grand-daughter," she calls me. And I am. I always feel incredibly white when I am on the reservation, but proud to have married into such a rich culture. Despite the fact that I just about froze my little buns off, this was a trip well worth the drive.