If You Let it Happen

'Andy' struggles. He struggles with school. He struggles with life.

 He's my reading student--a sixth grader. Sometimes he tries really hard. Sometimes he acts like he doesn't care...but I know he does.

He lives in poverty; as so many Native American children do.  I know he feels unloved and neglected by his family, and he thinks he's a nobody. But I know he's not.

When Andy came to class with a book of poetry under his arm, I was curious. It was called "My Heart Soars" by Chief Dan George.

"Where'd you get this, Andy?" I inquire as I examine the contents of the book.

"I dunno. I just picked it off the shelf of free books in the foyer 'cause I knew I was s'posed to bring somethin' to read."

The words on the pages of the book were stunningly beautiful. Some of the finest poetry I'd read.

"Andy, Chief Dan George is a great man, a great poet. May I read some of his work to you?"

"Sure."

Andy settles into his chair and looks intently at me with those beautiful, soft, searching brown eyes. I clear my throat and begin to read.

"Words to a Grandchild, by Chief Dan George," I begin.

Perhaps there will be a day

you will want to sit by my side

asking for counsel.

I hope I will be there

but you see

I am growing old.

There is no promise

that life will

live up to our hopes

especially to the hopes of the aged.

So I write of what I know

and some day our hearts

will meet in these words,

--if you let it happen.

I feel tears coming to my eyes as I think of my own grandchildren, and my hopes that someday their hearts will meet with mine through my writing. I blink back the tears and proceed. Andy is aware that I am moved. He leans forward to listen more intently.

In the midst of a land

without silence

you have to make a place for yourself.

Those who have worn out

their shoes many times

know where to step.

It is not their shoes

you can wear

only their footsteps

you may follow,

--if you let it happen.

Oh how this dear boy needs a place for himself...and footsteps to follow. My voice cracks as I continue.



You come from a shy race.

Ours are the silent ways.

We have always done all things

in a gentle manner,

so much as the brook

that avoids the solid rock

in its search for the sea

and meets the deer in passing.

You too must follow

of your own race.

It is steady and deep

reliable and lasting.

It is you,

--if you let it happen.

You are a person of little,

but it is better to have little

of what is good,

than to possess much

of what is not good.

This your heart will know,

--if you let it happen.

I am in awe. Chief Dan George is speaking directly to this child...calling out his gentle nature, his shy ways, and his meager circumstances...and I, well I have become an oracle of his words. Andy is rapt with attention, hanging on every word.



Heed the days

when the rain flows freely,

in their greyness

lies the seed of much thought.

The sky hangs low

and paints new colors

on the earth.

After the rain

the grass will shed its moisture,

the fog will lift from the trees,

a new light will brighten the sky

and play in the drops

that hang on all things.

Your heart will beat out

a new gladness,

--if you let it happen.

Each day brings an hour of magic.

Listen to it!

Things will whisper their secrets.

You will know

what fills the herbs with goodness,

makes days change into nights,

turns the stars

and brings the change of seasons.

When you have come to know

some of nature's wise ways

beware of your complacency

for you cannot be wiser than nature.

You can only be as wise

as any man will ever hope to be,

--if you let it happen.

 Our ways are good

but only in our world

If you like the flame

on the white man's wick

learn of his ways,

so that you can bear his company

yet when you enter his world

you will walk like a stranger

Guilt overwhelms my heart as I read this. How often have I seen our native students feeling strange and foreign in my world. I pause, but I cannot bear to look into Andy's eyes. It is I, at this moment, and not Andy who feels foreign. Who am I, a white woman, that I should be reading these wise words, this prophecy of sorts, to Andy? And yet...I am here and I am willing and I am all that is available to this boy right now, and so I read on.

For some time

bewilderment will,

like and ugly spirit

torment you.

Then rest on the holy earth

and wait for the good spirit.

He will return with new ways

as his gift to you,

--if you let it happen.

Use the heritage of silence

to observe others.

If greed has replaced the goodness

in a man's eyes

see yourself in him

so you will learn to understand

and preserve yourself.

Do not despise the weak,

it is compassion

that will make you strong.

Does not the rice

drop into your basket

whilst your breath

carries away the chaff

There is good in everything,

--if you let it happen.

When the storms close in

and the eyes cannot find the horizon

you may lose much.

Stay with your love for life

for it is the very blood

running thorough your veins.

As you pass through the years

you will find much calmness

in your heart.

It is the gift of age,

and the colors of the fall

will be deep and rich,

--if you let it happen.

Yes dear Chief, and now you speak to me! I am finding much calmness and richness in this autumn of my life. Now tears are streaming down my face. Andy is staring at me...quietly waiting for me to continue.

As I see beyond the days of now

I see a vision:

I see the faces of my people,

your sons' sons,

your daughters' daughters,

laughter fills the air

that is no longer yellow and heavy,

the machines have died,

quietness and beauty

have returned to the land.

The gentle ways of our race

have again put us

in the days of the old.

It is good to live!

It is good to die!

--This will happen.

I wipe away the tears.

"Andy, are you going to keep this free book? Because if you are not...I will take it-but if you want it, I will buy my own copy."

His eyes meet mine.

"I will keep this book. I will show it to my grandfather."

Yes Andy, you keep the book.

Grace has ordained that you find the book

and that you share the words

with your Grandfather.

It is meant to be,

--if you let it happen.

***

Note: I've changed Andy's name to protect his anonymity...but he is real--and he matters.