the ground was damp with fresh rain. the wet dirt mingled with wet sage and mint washed over me. i breathed it all in, my last prayer run while living on Hopiland. i actually didn't run this time. i walked, making sure i allowed my senses to soak every bit in.
i remembered the first morning here, almost 2 years ago. i was so excited for this new adventure. and now, this chapter was coming to a close.
i was cleaning and packing when the doorbell rang later that morning. i was the only one home, sam at work, the kids i had left at my parents' house so i could be more productive. i opened the door not sure who to expect. it was makayah's sweet little friend. she asked if makayah could come and play. i told her she wasn't here today, and i was afraid to tell her that she might not be back at all. her face fell, and she nodded her head. i closed the front door. i wasn't expecting to, i thought i'd be tougher this time around, but my throat choked up, and my eyes stung with fresh tears. one day before we were completely moved out, it hit me. we're moving away, and some of these wonderful people we may never see again. things won't be the same and everything will change. i let myself have a good cry. then i lay on the bed thinking about the past two years.
through all the moves we've had in life, and we've had so many, i have learned an important lesson. i've learned that no matter what difficulties or challenges that arise in new places, differences to get used to, new people to meet, new streets to navigate, new foods to try, new weather to acclimate to; the most important thing to do is love it all. live every day like it's a great adventure. make happy memories...because someday i know that i'll move from a place and my heart will ache for everything that place had been to me.
when i moved here, i was quite ignorant of the people and the culture. i had only ever come here during football games or basketball games, a drive through on my way to tuba city. in these past two years we have made life long friends, people who had only first met us but treated us like instant family. you have made us feel so welcome, like we belonged. you have fed us, you have laughed with us, you have invited us to beautiful dances and ceremonies that have opened our eyes to your wonderful culture and way of life. you have embraced us and made us feel so loved. you have sat with us around fires telling stories and roasting marshmallows. you have taught us the spiritual side of running in the wee hours of the morning and in the magical light of sunset. i have been so humbled and am beyond grateful to have witnessed your sweet spirits. my life will forever be better because i lived here, and i know my childrens' lives will be, too.
the past several weeks, we've been getting together with as many friends as we can. saying good-bye. when we do, they shake their heads and say, "it's not good-bye. you'll be back. you always have a place to stay when you come and visit."
the last two days were really tough. sam and i looked around the sad and empty rooms we used to call home. there were only echoes of happy times left. i suppose that's something to be extremely grateful for, and i am. i just didn't think it would be this hard to leave.
good-bye Hopi Home, you've served us well.
good-bye Hopi Home, you've served us well.
