Our first night was tough for my daughter and me. My husband must have been still exhausted even after 5 hours deep asleep in the passengers’ seat while I was driving. His snore was loud and constant. He kept on tossing and turning. Every sound he made while he was sleeping prevented my daughter and me from sleeping. We finally fell asleep after 3 a.m.
When we woke up naturally without the help of an alarm clock, the Sun was already up. It was 7:30 a.m. My daughter and I didn’t have breakfast as usual. My in-laws and my husband had a big breakfast that my dad-in-law cooked. They had eggs, hams, onions, green bell peppers, and toasts.
We left the house around 9 p.m. to the medicine man’s house. The medicine man is a cousin of my dad-in-law. He has been our family medicine man. I have known him and his wife since 1999. The last time we saw them was at the Hozhoji ceremony for my husband in 2016.
When we arrived at their house, the gate was locked with a metal chain and a paddle lock. It had a sign saying they don’t allow any visitors at this moment. When we called, the wife came out and opened the gate. The Navajo people have a worse situation of Covid-19 infection rate and death rate, so it is understandable for them to take an extra caution.
My dad-in-law is planning to have a Hozhoji ceremony in this August, so he needed to make a detailed plan with him. Once we entered at their house, the wife started cooking egg. We were secretly hoping she was not cooking for us because we just ate. In Navajo traditions, whenever you have guests at your house, no matter they are unexpected guests, the house hosts are supposed to feed them something nice. So we all kind of knew it was for us. Sure enough, the medicine man, the husband told us to sit down at the dinner table. Soon all the plates and silverware were prepared for us and the wife started serving the brunch. It contained fried eggs, skillet potatoes, some vegetables, and toasts. Even though we all were full from breakfast at our house, and my daughter and I were not hungry at all, we all gratefully ate her food. It was nice of her.
While we were eating, we enjoyed our visit. The husband was 84 years old and the wife was 82 years old. They are around my parents’ age. Even though we were talking about something funny and laughing, I constantly wiping my tears off from the corner of my eyes. I didn’t know why I was shedding tears. My tears didn’t stop at all. I thought nobody noticed of my shedding tears, but my daughter noticed. She said it was understandable to become emotional because we missed each other a lot. And, considering of their age, I intuitively knew I would not be able to see them often. I knew I need to value every moment that I can see them.
When we were about to leave, the wife hugged me and told me she always includes me in her family prayer. She said she thinks of me as her daughter and wishes all the best for me all the time. I know she means it. It was very nice seeing them in person this time. We will see each other again in this August. I am looking forward to spending more time with them at the ceremony.
Our next destination was to get some medicine plant for me. The medicine plant is known among Navajos to cleanse the blood line. It can even heal cancer. As for me, I seriously want to reverse the diabetes. After my dad-in-law said his prayer in Navajo language, I prayed in Japanese to the medicine plant. I will make tea from this plant and drink it every morning and evening.
Our final stop was Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Unfortunately our favorite trail; White House Trail was closed. We could visit the Spider Rock Overlook. It has been 8 to 9 years from my last visit there. It was great to be able to visit there again with my family.
It was a busy day for us. I am thankful to reconnect with my Navajo family.
three wisdom 