Day 1 - 4 (Round 2)

For me, Thanksgiving was the start of round two. We were going to eat out. Then I started to get the suspicion that my neighbor wasn't getting a family meal. I cooked, my mother helped. We played cards. It was a real treat to make something with her.

My neighbor came over; he'd already eaten. (so much food in our fridge!) But the visit gave him an excuse to talk about issues on his mind. Very weighty ones. So offering support turned out to be more valuable than a meal.

Day 2: was my brother's birthday. He did not call. We thought of him and prayed he was doing better on his own.

I helped my neighbor take his dog to the vet. He got the bad news that the dog needs surgery. I sent out emails to my Newf connections to help him decide where to get the surgery and what type.

I didn't feel well, so I didn't drive to a workshop I had planned on attending for a month,

Day 3: At 4 am, when I need to leave for the 2nd day of the workshop, I woke ill, so I canceled plans to attend. But after a long nap, I decided to drive to the last section of the workshop that night.

I selected a shamanic prayer/talking/healing stick I made and wrapped it for the healer I was going to see. Then, I decided that I needed to give one to the woman who would house me. After wrapping that, I realized that I needed to take one more for an unknown person... so off I went to ME with 3 shaman sticks...

The third stick turned out to be for a woman who did a healing on me; As part of the workshop we were to practice Cherokee bodywork, the woman who worked on me claimed she didn't do bodywork, but [warily] would try... I told her not to worry, she was here, she was alive, she was an experienced woman, she had all the elements to do a good healing. She relaxed, trusted herself, and I had a profound healing.

She liked her stick.

The woman who housed me apparently had a profound dream about the animal spirit I had decorated on her stick.

Day 4: I did a Sweat Lodge. 28 prayers on my prayer bundles. In the Lodge I prayed for several people. Lots of giving!

That was my first Sweat; I didn't know if I would be able to make it through. I warned everyone about my MS. I was surprised that I was able to help others get through it. I found that in all that discomfort there are pockets of relief that help you endure. I was able to share this with others that were having a horrible time... and they found relief in my suggestions and were able to finish the Sweat.

The Sweat was not easy for me; but as the rounds went on, I found that the discomfort was manageable; and by the third round, I felt it was too short! I wanted them to go on and on and on. The fourth round was long... and still too short.

The best gift I received: when I got out, I was able to stand for a very long time!!! My pain is lower. I feel so alive, so blessed, so happy.

I'm looking to go again.

And the best part, I know those prayers will be favorably answered. How sweet is that?