For Two Bears

Featured Painting--in your imagination. Please read on.

Today is Sunday and I attended a memorial service for a friend of my husbands, who's name was Two Bears. He passed away several weeks ago and was not given the typical Lakota Sioux ceremony that he deserved, especially one for a warrior as he was. (For an example of one, go to: http://1onewolf.com/lakota/Lundstrom.htm ) So today, many of his friends held a gathering for him. Some really beautiful things were said, and some hilarious stories shared. He was a man who truly never complained nor said a cross word about anyone. His son and daughter were in attendance and the words said were for their ears. He didn't see them as often as he wanted as he was divorced, as happens so often these days but every day he spoke of them with pride. His children both appeared to be over 18 but still young. I did a quick ACEO card with two large bears on it, one reaching for the sky with an outstretched paw and the other moving to the left. At the bottom were 4 arrow like triangles representing earth,air,fire and water. On the upper left was a sun which had longer "rays" indicating north, south east and west. And along the top was an eagle feather, which are gifted to warriors upon their chest, before burial. With the card my husband held an eagle feather made of bone. Then I explained Two Bears deserved so much more than he received, but I knew he was happy and though I can't speak Lakota, I could speak a tiiiiiiny bit of Wyandot, my husbands heritage. So I read what I had written on the back of the card (and I will follow with the translation.)

Tedih A-nyo-nye (two bears)
Ha-en'-ya-ha (my brother)
Drawa! (dance!)
Take'! (run!)
Scan-o-nie...Ha-en'-ya-ha (Peace...my brother)

Then I presented the card to his daughter and my husband the bone eagle feather to Two Bears son. This illustration has not been duplicated in any fashion, even for my portfolio, as it was created for this single purpose.

It was pretty intense. But following this was the folding of the flag. Two Bears was a vet and as such, deserved this service. ALL the men in the audience, old and young alike, that had served in the military came forward and participated in standing arrow straight, folding the flag, presenting it to Two Bears daughter who will gift it to her brother, thengave Two Bears a final salute. An extremely intense and spiritually filled moment. One hopes the meaning of all the words and actions fall upon ears that can hear. And two you Brother Two Bears, fly free.