What we value, cont.
In my childhood community, two cultures; Scandinavian and Native American lived side by side. People often ask me about this, curious about what it must have been like to be a sky-eyed child on a reservation.
What I remember was an incredible sense of security, and comfort. We had total freedom to run on the beach as children, safe in the knowledge that, if we needed help, any adult would respond. No fear. Even having lived it, it is hard to believe that such a life once existed. I am not saying that it was without hardship, no, but the hardships were different than experienced in the “town” communities. We had a Diphtheria epidemic for example. Most Americans would look and see the tarpaper shacks, the poverty, miss the truth. And the truth was this, we shared an abundance coming from the bay and the forest which fostered a sense of wealth - real wealth.
Cultural differences, tied directly to the divergent experiences of our ancestors, cropped up in odd moments.
I recall, my younger brother and I going to a gathering of kids. We all piled our coats on the floor. When it came time to leave everyone picked up a coat. Someone was wearing my brother’s. We older kids knew about “differences” but these two five year olds were confused. Disbelief that one “owned” a coat was met with disbelief that the other did not. Finally it was sorted out that my brother had to go home in the coat he came in or his mother would be unhappy. Oh. Understanding would take a while.
In spite of differences there was recognition, trust.
No one locked doors.
People came by borrowed tools as they needed them. When my father came home from logging camp we might spend all of Saturday morning looking for a needed wrench. Visiting, it’s called. A tool was highly valued, never misplaced, maybe it would pass through many hands before making its way back to my father’s toolbox but it always did. One of the interesting things about not “owning” a coat, or not “owning” a tool, one can never steal it. Somehow it all made sense.
Given the current state of affairs in this country, I am looking with great longing for the life we shared back then. I wonder if we can re-create something that allows that much freedom and trust? Is it possible?’
The whole concept of ownership needs overhauling, badly, because no one lives forever! My Aries spouse advocates the idea of being stewards of the land. But everywhere one turns there are signs that most people are into “owning”.
Perhaps Pluto’s journey through Capricorn will start dismantling this. So many of the jobs being lost are those of high paid men (82% compared to 18% women), who bought the most expensive “toys” (boats, motorcycles, RV’s, big trucks, etc). just a thought . . .
Comment made on February 8, 2009 @ 11:32 am
That’s a good point, Neith.
we shared an abundance coming from the bay and the forest which fostered a sense of wealth - real wealth.
That is true wealth indeed. How did we go so far astray as to blindly and blithely crap in our own nest?
Comment made on February 8, 2009 @ 4:07 pm
Stewards of the earth is exactly right, Neith.
And how did we go so far astray Joe? Marketing would be my guess.
Comment made on February 8, 2009 @ 4:28 pm
I Ran across this statement in a book of science fiction: “All true wealth is biological.”
Indeed.
Comment made on February 10, 2009 @ 9:18 pm
“All true wealth is biological.”
I’ll ponder that. What about wisdom?
My friend Patricia and I were talking about the absolute joy of plumbing. Hot showers etc. Civilization moves forward in curious ways. Plumbing; one of the great successes.
Comment made on February 10, 2009 @ 9:35 pm
Yes, water. Plumbing is the directed use of water. Wonderful, beautiful water!
Comment made on February 10, 2009 @ 11:31 pm
And plumbing is the directed elimination of waste. I have a strong belief that sanitation more than any other thing is responsible for the health of a community.
Comment made on February 11, 2009 @ 10:57 pm
Great story! Do you have more?
Comment made on February 12, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
?
Comment made on February 12, 2009 @ 9:01 pm
Mimi you dearheart, yes, it was a rich childhood filled with many wonderful people (two, four legged and winged) and places. Some were sacred some ordinary, all precious to me. I sometimes wonder at my great good fortune!
Comment made on February 12, 2009 @ 9:08 pm
?
I guess i just love indoor plumbing - having lived without!!
Comment made on February 12, 2009 @ 9:10 pm
Oh, me too! I’ve spent quite a bit of time without plumbing, and what a wonderful thing indoor plumbing has been for all of us……bringing in clean water and taking away the waste.
Comment made on February 13, 2009 @ 7:13 am
ohhhhhhhhh you. i love every last drop.
i look at that photo and my heart sings. i’ve just confirmed a trip to haida gwaii is happening this summer. i’m over the moon. my dear friend is helping to run the new welcoming centre/ art gallerythere. you can see the pictures of the opening here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainypotato/sets/72157606933945456/
thanks for being you!
Comment made on February 17, 2009 @ 12:55 am
OMG!!! You are going to the land of the Crooked Beak of Heaven?
OH OH OH I was about to say lucky you but no luck involved. going to see the link Oh Christy this is fantastic…going to look now.
Comment made on February 17, 2009 @ 9:22 am
Thank you Christy for this.
I need to let it soak in.
Sigh. The Haidi Gwaii have held on to the most precious- their culture.
Can you put me in your rucksack?
The landscape, the faces the kayaks -thos are unspeakably beautiful. The building the art it is simply -as you say- heart singing.
I want to hear all when you return. Maybe you will run a series on astrotruf?
Thank you again my sister-friend. Thank you.
Comment made on February 17, 2009 @ 9:57 am
I will. We stay with my friend during a festival called edge of the world. B has a set of crystal bowls (1 for each chakra) and he’s going to apply to perform there. we stay with my friend and they housesit as she visits the south.
and she has internet so i will be able to show something.
Those images are wonderous. So many lovely happy faces! I’m glad you enjoyed the photos!
Comment made on February 17, 2009 @ 11:51 am