Power to the People

With the recent death of Fidel Castro, and the death of Nelson Mandela in 2013, two of our most powerful leaders have left a void on mankind. Whether you were a fan of one or both; they both left a mark on this planet. Nelson Mandela was a champion in more ways than one. He stood up to racism in it's purest form. He fought against apartheid to physically free his people but after twenty-seven years in prison, he became spiritually and mentally liberated and that allowed him to lead the black people of South Africa out of the crushing grip of apartheid. The struggle continues but he won the most important battles. The one inwardly and the one externally. The day Mandala became president of his country, I wept. He truly was an inspiration and a hero.


Fidel, while he long lost his way under his need for control; set off on the right course; to put a stop to capitalism and imperialism. While the people of Cuba, (which I consider in part my country due to having family roots) have been long suffering in certain ways (thanks to the embargo), there is much to be said for country of people who are all educated, have a 100% literary rate, have the best doctors in the world practicing both Eastern and Western medicine with great success and being far ahead in medical advances. And there are no words to describe the warmth, intelligence, creativity and strength of a whole culture, who were encouraged to embrace these qualities instead of squashing them. The Cuban people are some of the most welcoming and loving people. I may be impartial due being part Cuban, but ask anyone who is familiar with the Cuban people. We may be stuck up at times but we will give you a place to sleep and a plate of frijoles negros con arroz to fill your belly. Fidel may have failed in many ways but keeping the culture of Cuba alive and the mission of the revolution relevant are, in my opinion, two great success. I am most thankful to El Commandante
(which most Cuban-Americans would never say, I know) and I will miss his physical presence on our planet. There will never be anyone like him or Mandala, (who were long-time friends), which is a sad reality for all of us still here on planet Earth.

Below are some poorly scanned photos of my time in Cuba. Fidel's recent death had me pulling out my photo albums and reminiscing. I think it may be time to set foot on Cuban soil again, break bread with mi familia and make new memories.

Being Silly at the Parliament Building, Giving the 'people' my speech!

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

It always seems impossible until it's done. 

Nelson Mandela

A revolution is a struggle to the death between the future and the past.

I find capitalism repugnant. It is filthy, it is gross, it is alienating... because it causes war, hypocrisy and competition.

Men do not shape destiny, Destiny produces the man for the hour.

Fidel Castro 

SMILE!

After a two year orthodontic process that included a long stint with a retainer and over a year with braces, Ms. Amara got her braces removed recently. She still has several more year of another retainer but she was beyond excited to get those braces off.

Amara was a great patient though. Every morning and every evening, girlfriend would make sure she took extreme diligent care of her teeth and mouth. From water picking twice a day, to brushing multiple times a day to using her tongue scraper, Amara took her responsibilities serious and the results have been evident. Her eagle focus as been trying on the family at times but I would rather her throw a tantrum over not being able to floss than over not having a toy. And now, her teeth and jaw are not only healthier, her smile looks absolutely fantastic. As radiant as Ms. Amara Pearl.

Fall

This year, Fall has flown by. Actually, the entire year has flown by. This Fall, we made a trip to Larry's Produce for pumpkins and play. We braved the rain for the Waldforf's Wanderer's Way and of course, there was Halloween. It all went by in the blink of an eye but we still had fun nonetheless. 

What A Long Strange Trip It's Been

The Grateful Dead. A band, a community that has been part of my life on and off for over thirty years. Music that had touched my heart, brought reflection at my core and a community that taught me more than words can tell. 

I recently had the privilege (along with ten's of thousands!) to say Fare Thee Well to the band and this community during their last concerts together. To say it was bittersweet would be an understatement. Ever since Jerry (Garcia) died, I would catch shows with the remaining band whenever I could. There was Saratoga Springs, Shoreline and a few other places. I took Don with me at their last shows when I was 8 months pregnant with Havana. For those of us who love the Dead, the music brings us together to a place where we share great music, along with the peace, community and idealism that was born in the sixties. Jerry's sweet guitar playing and that voice that sang to so many, might have been gone but his presence was always present. 

Havana is six now so it's been a long time since I got to hear, sing along to and dance to the Dead live. I'd wondered for quite some time if they would play again. Rumors or ego's butting heads and other drama circled around but this year, on their 50th anniversary, the boys would be back on tour for one last go at it. That was music to my being.

When the band announced they would be playing a few shows to commemorate their 50th and to say goodbye, I knew I had to be there. Since my children were born, I have let many a show, trip, event, etc, pass me by. What was once important was not so important any longer. I have long learned that I am not better or worse if I do or don't do or experience something. That would have been true if I had not seen the Dead one last time but in my heart, in my gut, I wanted to go. I saw myself there. I wanted to revisit the energy, music, and scene that was home for so long. 

This time would be different, however. I would bring my kids. Or so I thought. Turned out Havana is not too keen on loud noises and crowds (like her Mama, with the exception of the Dead). So she stayed home with Papa Don and Amara and I headed out. Her first show would be her last but at least she would experience the ride.

One of the things that Amara wanted to do was meet the band. I told her that would not happen in a crowd of 40,000, along with the fact that they would be backstage. It wasn't like when Uncle Sheldon was in town and we head backstage at a gig. No, we would be two in sea of thousands. Well, to my surprise, that turned out to be wrong. Not twenty minutes after we arrived, there came Billy, in a golf cart, driving around on the grass, handing out rolling papers to promote his book.! I was over the moon for Amara. She manifested her wish! (and later to my delight once more, I happened upon a video of my taking a photo of Amara with him, at that exact moment. Ah, the magic of a Dead show.)

  

We Are Everywhere!

Bobby via the huge teletron.

When the show started, just about the time the famous Bay Area fogged rolled in, we were ready to go. We danced and smiled and danced some more. Amara had one other wish, to hear Sugar  Mag. I foolishly told her that might not happen. But sure enough, they saved her favorite for last and sure enough, she told me, "I knew it."

We left with happy hearts, tired feet and joyful spirits.  When Amara passed out in the car, I reflected back on what a gift it was to share that night with her. Life is good.

Pow Wow

 The Original Americans have been a crucial part of my life. Starting at the age of seventeen, which was around the time I was having my first spiritual awakenings, different tribes have played instrumental roles in the building of my core self. From the Hopi's I saw do a rain dance on 2nd Mesa and taught me to believe in prayer and the power of the Creator; to the Shaman who saved my life during my first year at Prescott College and taught me to respect and honor all life; To the Todhono O'odham brother who befriended me during high school and taught me Bon Jovi crosses cultures. From my days in far Northern California when I did vision quests, sweat lodges and prayed all night in the Native American Church, where my faith deepened, where I learned to trust that I had strong intuition, and where I learned to trust the other worlds; to my Blood/Black Foot brother who healed an illness with prayer and medicine, which taught me that Western medicine is only one way to healing; to the South American Medicine Men and Women, whose ceremony aided in the healing of wounds that began at my birth; To the the pow wow's, rituals and more, where I learned to honor Grandfather Fire, Mother Earth and All My Relations; I have been blessed to have the presence and gifts be part of the foundation of who I am.

It is because of these things, that I try to teach my most precious daughters, the importance of those gifts. They know about holy sage and cedar; the importance of honoring the full moon; how to properly receive a gift and that we are all connected. My girls are young; so these lessons must be modeled and taught repeatedly but I trust that they will become part of their foundation as well.

Recently I have the opportunity to take Havana to the Indigenous People's Pow Wow in Berkeley. Havana shies away from loud noises and as we approached the park, she resisted. With some coaxing, we proceeded and like magic, once she saw the dances with her own eyes, she was mesmerized. She led me to a shaded spot on the grass, where we took it all in. I was sick that day, had a wicked cold, but my heart and soul were happy, being in that auspicious place with my Baby Girl.

Havana later got herself some earring and made a necklace, her own medicine necklace, the sister told us. Havana has been wearing them proudy since.  

In the years since I became a mother, I have let slide some of my daily practice. Yet, I never forget to give thanks to the Creator and honor the earth. However, there are times when I long for ritual and ceremony. So on that day, in the park, watching that pow wow, it was like a drink of water on a hot, humid day. And for thank I say, Give Thanks.