There was a time, our Grandmother told us, when the darkness almost won. She said the people's hearts were shrouded in clouds of years of fear, delusion and denial. She said the people were not strong. Very weak. And they had minds bigger than their hearts. But these were just the ones who were scared, they were hurting inside.
Grandmother told us not to be afraid as she tucked us into bed that night, because this illness had passed us now. We were freed, and we are free now to speak of it in a sacred manner.
She said to please preserve the history of our people, because it helps us to grow and to be wise. Once the heart is strong like a lion, fierce like a tiger, full of overflowing love like a spring pouring out onto the Earth. Once the heart is this strong, she said, like yours are, there is nothing to be afraid of any longer. We were in the bardos then. We were en route to a more harmonious way of life.
But it wasn't without a fight. A good fight, she said. Our Grandmother that is, a warrior of her time. See-er, one who knew the trees. A dragonfly spider woman of the heart and words. She made a difference in her life. We are so proud to descend from Grandmother.
She told us things that night, that you don't wanna know about, because you almost can't believe it ever could've been that way, and such a short time ago.
credits
from Family Tree,
released June 30, 2013
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