Rhonda's oldest brother Mike Merchant called me up this morning and invited me to visit the site of Steve's passing on Mount Spokane. Of course, I eagerly accepted the invitation. More than anything, I desired to honor that place made holy by Steve's living spirit.
Mike Merchant, Ron Merchant, Clayne Perrins, and I drove to Selkirk Lodge near the summit of Mount Spokane. We only had one snowmobile, so Mike and Ron rode up first while Clayne and I visited in the lodge. After 40 minutes or an hour, they returned, and then Mike and I rode the snowmobile up.
We rode several miles on a well groomed trail and then split off onto a more difficult trail. Finally, Mike stopped and we walked the rest of the way up the hill. It was very steep and covered in thick snow.
After a very difficult climb, we finally reached a small tree marked with yellow and orange ribbons. Of course, the tree isn't really that small; it's simply covered by 9 or 10 feet of snow. When the snow melts in spring, the "little" tree will be quite a bit taller than it seems now. The ribbons marked the very tree Steve leaned against during his last moments of life.
As I approached the tree, I had a distinct feeling of holiness fall over my body, followed by waves of grief. I burned juniper at the tree as a prayer for myself and then sang several prayer songs from my tribe while I wept. I also tied a beaded necklace for myself and a pendant for Glenda.
When we first arrived, the sky was foggy and overcast, but as I sang, the sun emerged with brilliant light. I sang to the sun and to the west and thanked Creator for Steve's life and all the blessings I enjoy on a daily basis. I almost felt like a director of souls, telling Steve through my songs and prayers that we will all be alright and he is free to move into the Other World.
As I ended my prayers, I simply whispered, "Go in peace, brother," then walked back down the mountain.
Mike Merchant, Ron Merchant, Clayne Perrins, and I drove to Selkirk Lodge near the summit of Mount Spokane. We only had one snowmobile, so Mike and Ron rode up first while Clayne and I visited in the lodge. After 40 minutes or an hour, they returned, and then Mike and I rode the snowmobile up.
We rode several miles on a well groomed trail and then split off onto a more difficult trail. Finally, Mike stopped and we walked the rest of the way up the hill. It was very steep and covered in thick snow.
After a very difficult climb, we finally reached a small tree marked with yellow and orange ribbons. Of course, the tree isn't really that small; it's simply covered by 9 or 10 feet of snow. When the snow melts in spring, the "little" tree will be quite a bit taller than it seems now. The ribbons marked the very tree Steve leaned against during his last moments of life.
As I approached the tree, I had a distinct feeling of holiness fall over my body, followed by waves of grief. I burned juniper at the tree as a prayer for myself and then sang several prayer songs from my tribe while I wept. I also tied a beaded necklace for myself and a pendant for Glenda.
When we first arrived, the sky was foggy and overcast, but as I sang, the sun emerged with brilliant light. I sang to the sun and to the west and thanked Creator for Steve's life and all the blessings I enjoy on a daily basis. I almost felt like a director of souls, telling Steve through my songs and prayers that we will all be alright and he is free to move into the Other World.
As I ended my prayers, I simply whispered, "Go in peace, brother," then walked back down the mountain.
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