A Silver Belt
I had wandered into a small Indian shop in the foothills of the Sierras in
Northern California and struck up a conversation with the Native American
woman who owned the shop. My own Modoc Indian heritage and love of Indian
jewelry prompted me to tell her of the pain I suffered when my mother's
silver Navajo concho belt was stolen. My mother had worn it almost every day
of her life. It has passed on to me when she had passed through the arch of
life to the other side.
Northern California and struck up a conversation with the Native American
woman who owned the shop. My own Modoc Indian heritage and love of Indian
jewelry prompted me to tell her of the pain I suffered when my mother's
silver Navajo concho belt was stolen. My mother had worn it almost every day
of her life. It has passed on to me when she had passed through the arch of
life to the other side.
I remember as a small girl putting my arms around my mother's waist and
feeling the warmth of her body through the silver platelets. Having her belt
gave me great comfort after her death.
feeling the warmth of her body through the silver platelets. Having her belt
gave me great comfort after her death.
As I talked with the Indian woman, I could sense her empathy. But when I
finished expressing my grief at having lost the belt, her message was not
the one of sympathy I expected. What she gave me was a new beginning and an
insight into my mother.
finished expressing my grief at having lost the belt, her message was not
the one of sympathy I expected. What she gave me was a new beginning and an
insight into my mother.
"Remember," she said, "the true gift you were given was things of the
spirit. Don't ever cry over things that can't cry over you."
spirit. Don't ever cry over things that can't cry over you."
My mother is not a belt. My mother is reflected in the woman who now stands
in her place - me. My true heritage is the talents and strengths that she
left to me. I no longer cry over things that can't cry over me. I cherish
the fortitude and the love a woman left to me.
in her place - me. My true heritage is the talents and strengths that she
left to me. I no longer cry over things that can't cry over me. I cherish
the fortitude and the love a woman left to me.
(c)Cheewa James
Chicken Soup for the Soul Cookbook http://www.chickensoup.com
Chicken Soup for the Soul Cookbook http://www.chickensoup.com
Friends and Smiles
There are two things in life,
We never have enough of;
The first is friends,
Those close we trust and love.
We never have enough of;
The first is friends,
Those close we trust and love.
The second is the great big smile,
That starts deep down inside;
To brighten each new day that comes,
And make life a joyride.
That starts deep down inside;
To brighten each new day that comes,
And make life a joyride.
It’s because of the smile we share,
And pass along to others;
That makes us who and what we are,
By touching those it covers
And pass along to others;
That makes us who and what we are,
By touching those it covers
Our smile sets all of us apart,
From those who wear a frown;
Attracts those we want call our friends,
And each adds a star to our crown.
From those who wear a frown;
Attracts those we want call our friends,
And each adds a star to our crown.
So next time when we meet someone,
That we want for a friend;
Start by being genuine,
With smile that’s not pretend.
That we want for a friend;
Start by being genuine,
With smile that’s not pretend.
For friendship starts with that same smile,
And really is our choice;
It’s true that people are drawn to,
Sound of smile in our voice.
And really is our choice;
It’s true that people are drawn to,
Sound of smile in our voice.
Friendship isn’t just a debt,
To someday be repaid;
Our smile just makes it easier,
To add to friends we’ve made.
To someday be repaid;
Our smile just makes it easier,
To add to friends we’ve made.
Friends and smiles go hand in hand,
The two are intertwined;
For smiles will warm us deep inside,
Our friends will treat us inkind.
The two are intertwined;
For smiles will warm us deep inside,
Our friends will treat us inkind.
Have a great day!
Author of Images-Unknown