Awaiting the Sway of My Fringe

 

 

 

I used to dance the traditional dance.  I had all my leathers when I lived in Maine but when I lost my soulmate, I had to give away everything.  I am starting out slowly again with a ribbon skirt, the shawl I was gifted, and coordinating beaded necklace, my soulmate’s medicine pouch, and a side pouch I was gifted.  I need to dance and was preparing for that honor when my daughter passed away.  Now I must wait, but I thought I could wear my ribbon skirt.

I could not get my sewing machine to work when I got back from the cruise.  It did weird things and I could not figure out why one thing after another went wrong until I realized.  I was working on the skirt to dance and I cannot dance when I am grieving.  Why that escaped me, I do not know, but it was the sewing machine that reminded me.  I can work on the skirt again now that I am not making it for a specific purpose of dancing at the September long weekend family pow wow.

I have built my skirt colors around the color of my shawl, but each ribbon stands for a specific person or place.  I will take my sewing machine in and have someone look at it.  It is like a child you take, sick, to the doctor and by the time you get there, the child is all better.  Likely to happen with my sewing machine.  But, every time I had tried to begin sewing, the machine only sewed backwards.  I have to be patient and follow protocol until I can dance and my fringe softly sway.

I will not be dancing for a year, but I am involved an art show and sale of the students’ work for all of September.   I would like to have it done so I can wear it then.

So far, I have three ribbons partially sewn on.   I have the measurements and it is ready to sew a soon as the machine is working.  Wish it well as I take it in.  I will share how it looks when it is done.

I will remember this lesson.  One simply has to watch and be told what is to be done when doing cultural things.  The guides are there to teach us, to remind us, to guide us, if we only pay attention.  How I could have forgotten is beyond me, and the reminder was gentle and the lesson learned.  I must stay in tune with such things.  I have been too long away from doing cultural activities.  If I am going to do them, then I must stay close to staying Present and aware for teachings that will come.