Tradition

 

I may have told this story before, but that’s

okay. I feel it deserves to be retold over and

again.

Years ago, I had moved to Albuquerque, New

Mexico to experience different cultures than

those with which I had grown up.

All my life at the time, I had lived as a Mid-

westerner with black and white. I wanted

to learn more about the ways of Hispanic,

Native American and Asian peoples.

I got a job working with the homeless alcoholic

and drug addicted which knows no bounds when

it comes to race. That condition affects folks

of all persuasions including yours truly.

Fortunately for me at the time, I had been in

recovery for nearly two years, so I had a good

sense for the difficulties addicts and junkies

faced.

The nonprofit I worked for was starting a newly

government-funded program which housed, ed-

ucated and treated the afflicted.

Before the transients who were to be treated

moved into the facilities which were provided,

another recovering alcoholic Native American

woman who had also been hired went from

room to room waving a wand of smoldering sage.

She chanted healing prayers in her native tongue.

It was a custom of her pueblo peoples, one which

had been passed down from generations to gen-

eration.

May these rooms be blessed with goodness and

grace, she sang. Evil spirits, be gone. Do not enter

this sacred place. Keep all who visit and live here

safe in the name of the Holy Spirit. May the humble

offering of this sage cleanse this place.

As a child, I recall a similar custom we as

Catholics had inviting a parish priest to bless

the family and their new residence with prayer

and the liberal sprinkling of holy water.

I have come to realize that many cultures share

similar customs and traditions. And too, that those

cursed afflictions mankind faces can never be com-

pletely prayed away.

Processes need to be renewed and applied

over and again to each and every generation.

I guess it’s true what they say in most every

culture around the world (for devout believers

anyway) God, the Holy Spirit or Higher Power

helps those who help themselves.

And I figure, it’s okay to pray for health and well

being for everyone who enters. But hope in

heaven’s name that good fortune applies to you

as well. Good Lord All Mighty, give us strength,

I pray.

                       -30-

Chris Hanch 10-20-2020