The ceremony was awesome from beginning to end. Because Tu Bears has recently been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure, this is actually the first time where most of the Sweat Lodges (all but three) and much of the final ceremony rested on my shoulders. Since almost everyone there knows me, this was not a surprise and in fact, they accepted that this would happen. Those that were there that didn't know of me soon learned the name Yukpa hashi. Smile. I love my heritage. I love the magic that happens when someone is put up on the hill for 3 days and 3 nights without food and water. When they get past the thirst and hunger, they experience a reality that most will never know in their lifetime. It's awesome. It's awesome to see those that ..... well, take for example....

One of the gals that had chosen to go up on the hill was a lady by the name of Diane. She probably weighs 240 or so??? She has heart problems and is hypoglycemic. Now normally Tu Bears would have turned this person down cold for a request to go up on the hill. But she has known Diane for several years and was willing to try and honor her request for a vision. We all figured she would be able to stay up on the hill for maybe just a night. Well.... she stayed up that first night and lasted throughout the first day but it was a real struggle for her. By nightfall, her body started to turn against her (constant diarrhea). When she was unable to stop her heart from pounding wildly (I later figured this was because she was dehydrated and her electrolytes were out of balance), she cried out for her runner and off the hill she came. (This was in the dead of night!) Her runner (who in this case was her very best friend by the name of Sue) brought her to the house and to me. Long story short, I was able to give her the correct medicine and energy to balance her out. In about 15 or 20 minutes, she looked at Sue and said, I'm ready to go back up on the hill. Both Sue and I were shocked but Sue saw her safely back anyway.

She didn't come down until this morning!!! She made it all of the rest of the way! HUGE, HUGE smile. I couldn't stop crying when I saw her most radiant face. Can you imagine the pride she feels on this day because she honored her promise to herself to go up and get a vision. Her visions were many and mostly clear. They will continue to unfold on a fairly regular basis for the next 6 months, I think. I hope she keeps in touch. I told her how awesome I thought she was.... what a story in courage.