Cheii Bahe Manybeads (left) with his brother Cheii Eddie (right) with Shannon on our wedding day.
Grandpa
Uncle
Brother
Cheii
Hatałii
Our grandpa, 95 years this June,
Has crossed over to next world, the virus ushering him
forward
Loving embrace still felt
Laughter echoing
Learning carried on by all he touched
Leaving us to follow his lead
How
to serve others
How
to master the simple life
How
to cultivate our medicine
From my wife Shannon,
as she remembers
Cheii Bahe Manybeads
was a man that was never a great uncle, or just my Cheii (maternal grandfather)
Eddie’s brother.
He was my Cheii, and
I am very fortunate to have known him for all these years. I probably met him
in my youth but don’t remember. But I never knew my Cheii Eddie had a brother,
and I had an aunts and uncles from that relationship. I was fortunate to
rekindle the relationship when I was in high school.
My Cheii Bahe was
always considered to be very intelligent. My mother explained that he was one
who finished school, learning how to speak and read not only in English but
Diné too! He was one of my inspirations for continuing school, and keeping my
traditional perspective in Diné. He was also one I think of as being really
funny, while being so serious at the same time. When my mother and I visited
him and his wife, he would like to tell stories, and show his new inventions to
something he made. He also enjoyed when we brought my Cheii Eddie and Masani
Mae to visit. But he really liked it when his brother Eddie visited them. I
would just listen to them talk about the things they had done 30 years ago, as
if it just happened the day before.
Their relationship
reminded me of how love and faith keep a friendship alive. They taught that
each day should not be taken for granted. They taught me life is precious, they
taught me to respect all are our relations. They taught me, to just be me, no
matter what changed around me. I trusted, honored, respected, and
loved these two gentlemen.
When it can time for
me to marry, my Cheii Bahe is one gentleman I wanted to be involved with the
Diné marriage ceremony. And so, I asked him if he could do the honors of
provide the medicine for our marriage. At first, he was hesitant because like
all Diné grandfathers he was stingy. He was wondering, “Who is this guy that
wants to marry my granddaughter? Is he worthy? How much is he going to give
me?”
He gave me a hard time,
asking with a smile, “Is this the guy?” He made me laugh so much, and I kept
telling him “Yes!” I had to ask my aunt to help get him to say “yes” to
carrying out the ceremony, like I was asking him to marry me. He eventually gave in, leading the blessing of
walking me into my Diné marriage with my husband and both of our families.
Ahéhee’ (thank you)
for giving the blessing of marriage.
Cheii was more than
an Hatałii (Medicine Man).
He was the medicine.
Hózhó náhásdlíí’
Hózhó náhásdlíí’
Hózhó náhásdlíí’
Hózhó náhásdlíí’
Hózhó náhásdlíí’
Hózhó náhásdlíí’
Hózhó náhásdlíí’
First time I didn't feel fear with reading about the virus. I felt calm and peace. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dr Fleg for sharing this special memory. Sorry for your family's loss.
ReplyDelete