by Michael Jennings

Created on: June 17, 2008   Last Updated: August 26, 2011

"One Person Can Make a Difference"

Sometimes when I'm sitting near the water beside the waterfall on the mountain, I drift off into thought. I remember the times when life was much simpler and all things were as they should be. Today a memory that has been forgotten by me for a long time came flooding through my mind and I wish to share it with those that are interested.

My mother, the medicine woman of the North Country was called to the home of one of the families that lived in the village nearby. The parents of a child were beside themselves as to what to do with her. She had become withdrawn and would not eat or speak. If approached by another she would become combative and would lash out and claw at them with her finger nails. Then she would bite them until they would let go of her.

"We do not understand what is wrong with her and why she is acting this way", they said. We try to understand her and we listen to her but she doesn't want us to and tells us that she hates us and wants to run away.

I remember it well for I was with my mother, for that was her way of showing and teaching me the important lessons that have made me the person I am today. She always taught by example and she made you apart of everything she did. I remember well how my mother handled the situation. She told the parents to leave the house and to go wait outside for her, as the child was not comfortable with them in the house. Then she said to me, "Come here son and sit in the chair and listen but do not speak". So I did as she told me and sat there very quietly and did not move or speak. The young girl just stared at her and would not speak. Mother did not seem to be concern with this and started talking to the child in the same way she had always talked to me.

"Child, what is your name? I am told it is Emma. Is this true?" she asked. "Sometimes Emma, we all get so mad at someone that we just climb inside ourselves because it is easier then facing the reasons that caused us to want to live inside our self. Why do you want to run away from home?" my mother asked. Mother reached into her bag and pulled out a dream catcher that she had been working on for a long time and she placed it on the floor and smiled at the young girl. I thought you might like this. My son said it was not made for him. So it's taken up space in my bag. Maybe you might like it she said. Then without a word to me or the other child, she walked outside to talk with the parents leaving both of us alone.

The young

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