He sat crouched, expecting the unexpected. The snap of a twig or a rustle in the bushes would set his heart racing, yet his soldier's mind would evaluate the situation and prepare the appropriate response.It was December 25th and he was thousands of miles from home. This Army Ranger longed for the sights of home.

Horses running over the Plains, the buffalo grazing on the ridge and in the valleys. The houses, each settled in it's own place, protected from the wind and weather. In the Spring, Summer and Fall there were many shades of green of the pines and grasses. In Winter the snows blanketed the land, snow, twinkling like stars in the sun and glowing with the light of the moon. His hunter's mind knew the tracks of the different animals, if he were home his prey would be an elk or a deer. Instead he was here, in Viet Nam, and at times he was the prey.

In his mind he was riding his horse through the Buttes or in the Black Hills or he would be working the horses on his family's ranch. After a long day he would be seated at the table with his family, his immediate Circle, enjoying the food prepared by his mother and grandmother, his sisters helping in the work. But he was here, in the jungle and couldn't remember his last meal.

His thoughts went to the pow wows, the times he would dance, as he had been taught by his father and grandfather. A smile came to his heart when he remembered the first time he saw the young girl from his rez in her jingle dance costume, they were both 5 years old. Over the years he watched her, as she became a beautiful young woman. He knew that when he was home he would visit with her family and that one day she would be his wife. For now he hoped and he prayed. The prayer taught him when he was a young boy.



Wakan Tanka, Great Mystery,
teach me how to trust
my heart,
my mind,
my intuition,
my inner knowing,
the senses of my body,
the blessings of my spirit.
Teach me to trust these things
so that I may enter my Sacred Space
and love beyond my fear,
and thus Walk in Balance
with the passing of each glorious Sun.

He took a breath and exhaled, searching for the Balance in a place of chaos.

Mourning Dove Caller ©2004

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On this Christmas Day, how ever you celebrate.

To those in the service, serving far from home this day. I wish you Safety and Comfort.

To those who served in past wars and times, I wish you Peace and Balance.

Thank you, that was beautiful!

Yes it was. :D :D :D :D