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Replies to '01/05 "Am I Cursed?"'
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January 7, 2006, 4:13 pm PST
 Quote From: tad1963
Dear Whispering Eagle,
Firstly, I think you missed the point of what I was trying to get at, which is, stop, take a look at what you have and this country is very wealthy. And now in reply to your statement of being poor, being a descendant of the Cherokee, which most of my dad's family still live in Oklahoma, at the end of the trail of tears, many of my dad'sfamily do live on a reservation. Secondly, I have almost been homeless by the age of 5, my family had no food, and yes we were helped by people we didn't know and couldn't repay. I know about hand-me-down clothes from other peoples children and I was happy to have "new clothes" from them. I could survive poverty, alcoholism, physical abuse, I watched my mother beaten many times. My mother, my sister and I had run away from a very bad abusive situation only to be found and brought back. So, please, before you make a statement about being pushed down and not being able to survive, know the person you are speaking to before you put your foot in your mouth (so to speak).
I am sorry that you took such a negative view of my thoughts, I was just trying to remind people, stop whining and take a look at all the good you have in your life.
Sincerely,
Terri Hi Terri,
I think that this is the point where some give and take is needed so to speak. In life I have often found that when two are at odds, sometimes strickness is not the best alternative. I can see that you understand the environment on Native American reservations today. I am extremely grateful for the compassion and sharing that I have experienced since my return home.
I was not raised with my family, due to circumstances beyond my control. I was born in 1952 and immediately taken from my Native American parents, because they were Indians. I was then placed in a non-Native home and raised to be white. I learned to live with the life that I had been placed in and did fairly well for myself. Finally, at the age of 40 I broke the chains of adoption and began a search for my "real" family. After thinking that this would be costly and may take a long time I prepared my self for that. To my complete surprise I was talking to my oldest sister only 45 minutes later. It was not until 1998, that my husband of 29+ years and I moved across the country to be closer to my family. I have been spending the past 7+ yrs surviving and living with my relatives. When we got here I had a job with the tribe, after all I had always had a job. Not always had a place to live but always had a job. Within three months I had become so ill that I was fired from my tribal job and my world turned upside down.
Before coming home I have often thought I knew the meaning of words like: prejudice, hate, etc. I had no idea, as most people who live in the cities do not have. I could give you the defination of the words but to understand the pain and extreme anger, I had much to learn. Over the past 7+ yrs my life has gone totally out to a zero income for an extended period of time, to a place now where I am better health wise. Three years ago I was diagnosed with IBS, Acid Reflux, Digestive Disorders, and PTSD. Today I do ok due to the small allotment from the SSDI. I have also completed a degree in Environmental Science with honors, from our tribal college. I believe that we all can bounce back but some people do not have the courage or strength to try one more time.
I appreciate your post and understand that the message you were sending. I do agree that sometimes we get lost in our everyday lives and forget there is a world out there. Maybe there is a way to disagree and agree at the same time. I sorry if my message has caused you any offense.
Whispering Eagle |
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