Mother Earth, Father Sky

A love for nature grows stronger

Even as a child, being raised a Christian, I knew that Our Lord was more than four walls on Sunday. I used to sing to the snow bells as they emerged from the snow-covered ground before the chill was out of the air. We had a large rock in our front yard that I would sit on just to absorb the energy within it. I would sing, dance, let the wind tickle my face. I would walk around our yard and touch the trees, marvelling at the lichen growing on the bark and memorizing the names of these beauties standing so majestically above me. I was in love with nature and thanked God for welcoming me into this world.

This love for nature grew within me and is strong today. I am connected to the living organism of life. I have learned along the way that Mother Earth is real, and Father Sky is resonating even more the older I get.

I had the privilege of spending an entire weekend with an 82-year-old Cherokee Indian. He is lovingly called “Father Wheatland” and known and loved by thousands. Not just from our beloved Wheatland music festival, but also as holding the record for lowest limbo (under beer bottles), fire swallowing, World Cultural dancer (you can find him in Frankenmuth), War Veteran, lived in a teepee for two years, preserving Native American Culture, to name only a fraction of his legacy.

His face can be seen in museums, in magazines and in videos on the internet. The man (the legend) was in our campground. I absorbed all that I could when we joined hands, face to face. His words softly spoke “Thank you Mother Earth and Father Sky.” I ran and grabbed my pocket size notebook as he said “write this one down.”

All weekend I took notes as he translated Native American terminology for me, talked about spirit animals, crystals, herbal remedies, salves and loving one another through our land. I have learned there are never any mistakes in this world. We are encouraged to learn and grow every day. The challenge is seeing it and seizing the opportunity.

Friends, take this time to slow down. Take this time to absorb the energy of our Earth. Dance, sing, tell stories, be present.

This man has seized life to the fullest. He takes vows with pride and promises to heart. This Cherokee is a walking image of what we are supposed to be while here on Earth. He attends his Free Methodist Church and dances around the fire with his tribe. The balance of Mother Earth and Father Sky, uninvolving chaos and bias that can so easily take over. He leaves behind judgement and preconceived belief systems. Father

Wheatland sees me writing ferociously on my pad of paper, gently touches my hand to slow me down and said, “Laurie, I told all my friends when I die to not worry about me. I know I am going to heaven. When I get there, I am going to teach the angels how to dance and the angels will teach me how to fly. Me and Jesus have a good thing going.”

Friends, take this time to slow down. Take this time to absorb the energy of our Earth. Dance, sing, tell stories, be present. Follow your heart, Mother Earth and Father Sky will lead you. Our teepee doors shall face East, for it is a beginning of a new day every day. Gitche Manitou (our creator) loves us unconditionally. Meegwetch Mother Earth Father Sky.

Laurie DeBruin CCH,CRR is the owner of Chrysalis Reflexology Hypnosis & Enrichment Center. Reach her at (517) 648.1980.