A year ago, I could not stop smiling from within. My soul has not stopped since that day. My eyes are open to love, Fyn. Talking with grandma and great grandma tonight reminds me that I am in line with past generations and future generations.
We are one family with many different trees. Trace our lineage and connections link us to so many others with different ways. Fyn, we share this planet with many other beings. We emerged from the River of Life many moons ago. She is our mother. Our ancestors honored her so we could share in her beauty. Last year on this day, you emerged into this world full of light. The sun made it through the windows to light your face.
I had a dream a few years before you were born. I wrote it down to share with all, but you in particular on this first birthday. You are my peace. I love you.
Legend of Mother Tortoise
Mother Tortoise emerges from the River of Life early one morning. Bright light greets her as she reaches the surface. This light is unlike anything she has ever known. She descends into the water again and begins telling Salmon of the brilliant light that nearly blinded her as she broke the surface of the water. Salmon tells her she is foolish, there is no such thing. She asks Salmon to follow, but he tells her to go away and not to bother him anymore.
She swims on a ways before encountering Beaver. When she tells Beaver of the bright light, he is interested and asks her a few questions. She asks him to follow and he says he is too busy now, but perhaps if she were to come back later, he would have time.
On she swims until she finds Heron using her great wings as paddles and her long legs as propellers. Mother Tortoise tells Heron what she has seen and asks her to come see the light. Heron is intrigued and follows Tortoise to the surface.
Together they reach the surface, and Heron gazes in amazement. She asks Mother Tortoise how she found this beautiful place. She tells Heron how she saw the bright light and knew there truly is more to life than living underwater. Heron shares this feeling and longing to live life to her full potential.
Heron wants to try something now that she's on the surface of the water and asks Tortoise if she will let her dry off her feathers while resting on top of Tortoise's shell. Once her feathers dry, she begins to flap her wings. Launching from her friend's back, she lifts herself into the sky and feels her true calling.
When she flies so far that Mother Tortoise looks like a speck of sand, she turns back to find her friend. She lands on Tortoise's back and tells her all she has seen from high above the River of Life. She tells her how for the first time she feels free to be herself and she thinks all the other swimmers with feathers will probably feel the same. Mother Tortoise and Heron head off to find more birds to tell about the secret of flight. The first they come upon is Eagle, who is very interested in what Heron tells him. He follows them to the surface and undergoes the same drying process as Heron. Lifting from Mother Tortoise's shell he soars up to the clouds and to this day continues to fly in the highest of clouds to the north. Then Condor returns to the surface with them, dries her huge wings and takes off to the south. Heron watches her thinking Condor is love in motion. They find more birds and tell them the secret of flight. Some birds love to soar, while others decide to stay near the River of Life.
Mother Tortoise wants to tell more about this splendid discovery and finds Dog and Cat swimming deep in the river. She tells them to follow her to the surface where she shows them the brilliant landscape. Cat is happy to be free of the water so she can chase the birds once again. Dog says thanks and stays close to Tortoise and the river.
As time passes, more animals emerge from the River of Life after hearing stories from Mother Tortoise and her followers. One day many years later Tortoise is swimming along with Dog and Heron as they come upon an animal neither has seen before. It is awkward in the water and does not understand what Tortoise is saying although she speaks the language all animals understand. Heron is nervous about this new creature and leaves to stand watch over the river.
After much confusion Mother Tortoise is able to lead this strange animal to the surface. Neither Tortoise nor Dog know what kind of animal this is because it has neither feather nor fur. Tortoise draws a picture in the sand to show this strange animal about the things she has seen. On the shore she draws a sun and motions to the sky for the animal to see. Then she draws thirteen moons inside the circle of the sun to show the many different moons she has seen.
The animal's eyes show intelligence and in time begins to understand what Mother Tortoise is drawing. Dog takes and instant liking to it and calls it woman in the strange language he speaks out of the water. Dog and Mother Tortoise can tell Woman is happy to be out of the water, but that she is lonely too. Mother Tortoise dives deeper in the water than ever before, searching for a companion for woman. She swims for eight moons before she comes upon something similar, and once again she cannot make this animal understand the language all animals speak. After many gestures, she convinces it to follow her to the surface where Woman and Dog are waiting.
When they arrive at the surface, Mother Tortoise is surprised to find Woman and Dog talking. Somehow they've found a way to communicate in a language Mother Tortoise has never heard. This new animal has the same brown skin as woman, but is not nearly as beautiful so Dog calls him Man. Woman and Man look at each other as they stand on the bank of the river, and Mother Tortoise who does not see much difference in them calls them human.
Mother Tortoise spends seven years teaching Woman and Man about all the animals she has helped find their way from the depths of the River of Life. The process is long because she must draw pictures to help them understand. To this day the people of the land look to Mother Tortoise for wisdom and guidance.
Mother Tortoise teaches Woman and Man about the River of Life. She is patient and tells them of the need to move slowly. She loves them and with Dog's help is able to show them the foods they will need to grow healthy and strong. She tells them about the trees and plants that grow on the banks of the River of Life. Since the people do not have a shell, fur, or feathers she helps them create a dwelling for themselves using the branches and bark from the trees. Mother Tortoise teaches them about the seasons and how weather changes. She helps them understand the moons and how they are useful for measuring time. She teaches them about the sun and its importance for them to survive outside the River of Life.
Woman and Man are grateful to Mother Tortoise and thank her for the wisdom she shares with them. They love her as a good child loves a mother and for many years they stay close to her to continue their learning. Mother Tortoise teaches them which animals may be hunted for food, and how it is important to respect that animal for the nourishment it will give them. She explains to them the way plants and animals are connected in the circle of life. She draws elaborate pictures of animals eating plants and people eating animals and plants. Dog is an ever-faithful friend to Woman and Man, helping them during the hunt. The humans respect Mother Tortoise's teaching and begin drawing their own pictures of the things they learn. In the beginning many of these are only copies of Mother Tortoise's drawings, but as time continues they become more detailed.
She teaches Woman and Man about creating new life. Since Woman is stronger, Mother Tortoise guides her through birth and nine moons later a child is born. The child is named Peace. She is small and helpless, and Mother Tortoise tells them this is so Woman and Man will learn that life is slow and there are many things to learn. She also wants them to learn how to take care of their children so they will be able to take care of everything outside the River of Life.
Man is thrilled with the power Woman has to give birth and knows she should be treated with the same respect as Mother Tortoise. he takes it upon himself to be the provider of food and shelter since woman is the provider of life.
Life continues and the people remember and respect Mother Tortoise, knowing she will lead them in the ways of life. They respect all animals and plants creating festivals and ceremonies to give thanks. Dog continues to be a good and loyal friend to the people as they live together in happiness.
