By
Kenneth G. White Jr.
The beautiful Wheatfields Mountains, located in northeastern Arizona on the Dine’ (Navajo) Nation, are filled with pine trees, streams, lakes, meadows, animals, and a God given natural beauty. A young school age girl lived with her Mom in a traditional Dine’ (Navajo) hogan with no electricity or running water.
When asked “What do you want for your birthday?”
Granddaughter, who had a physical disability, answered, “I want oil for my lantern.”
One could ask for many material gifts for a birthday. One could let a physical disability cause a person to give up and forget about studying. One could very easily let everyday life without electricity be a barrier. But not my dear Granddaughter.
Happy Holidays. Let us truly appreciate our blessings and family. Just to wake up each day is a blessing for me. God bless our great Indigenous Nations and people. May He give us oil for our lantern through Granddaughter’s life example, and action filled values, today and in 2022.
By
Kenneth G. White Jr.
Don’t need anything at the store
But don’t forget the oil for my lantern
So I can study at night some more
Dedication
Perseverance
They say I am disabled
But don’t forget the oil for my lantern
So I can do my homework nightly at our table
Determination
Resilience
It’s all right Mom
living without running water and electricity
This is our beautiful land and home, you and me
Harmony and Balance
The Motherland
My Grandpa said “Pray, believe in your prayers, God hears you”
Don’t forget the oil for my lantern
Because Grandpa prayed for me to love and learn
Faith
Spirituality
Wheatfields family have all my love
Don’t forget the oil for my lantern
So I can shine down on you from heaven above
Family forever
Unconditional love
You taught us these values in a humble beautiful way
May God keep you always
My dear Granddaughter each day
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