The Gathering

I heard the sound of voices before I opened my eyes. It was the gathering of women, those who have been touched by grief and know that the way back must begin quickly. They came laden with baskets, meats, furs, whatever they could spare and sometimes more than. It was not the gifts they held in their hands that they offered, it was a part of their hearts. Their hands to keep our hands busy, our minds occupied. They came bearing the fruits of labor. They came to clean, to cook and to season and dry meats for our stores. Their daughters came to help with the tanning of furs and to sing the songs of family and togetherness. We were rarely alone for even an ihn. Always someone. It was not just those who live among the outer wagons around us but women of the first fires that if nothing else came to give a word of condolence.

I watch Mother as she greets them. She has always been a quiet woman, her hands always busy but now they move only as motion. She is no longer whole. I wish I had the ways to fill this hollow, Hers and Grandmothers. Those that have not known them close would only see their strength and determination to survive. They gathered themselves together to carry on with life. I know that their blood flows through me just as my Father's does. I found a comfort in this.

First was trying hard to step into the role of provider and protector. He will bear a proud name. One that holds fire as well as integrity. One that will take all that he is within to fill a small portion of the courage, honor and even the temperament. My brother has much ahead of him to fill those boots. The men of this family have a way of slipping off when women gather. First was no different. He even winked at me when he rounded the end of the wagon and I heard those boots tear into the ground making a clean get away.

I found that I alone was the welcome for many of them when Mother could go on no longer and returned to her wagon to rest. Grandmother sought the peace of the flocks as is her way. There was a great to do over the puffiness of my nose where the new ring had been placed. Congratulations filled the air with as much heartiness as the conversations of clan. Women can be quite animated of tongue when they get together though a hush fell over them all at once and it seemed as if hands had parted the crowd into two portions. It was such a vast contrast that everyone turned to look.

Aunt was standing at the end of Mother's wagon pointing at me. She crooked her finger for me to come.