Bikes, breaks and the big picture

Friday, August 6, 2010

Most of the year, the traffic on our South Dakota highways is light, and the driving is relaxing and easy. But this time of year, the Harleys are roaring through town making their annual pilgrimage to Sturgis. When I went to the post office, I saw many Hogs parked on the downtown streets.

A good number of riders also stop in to visit our campus. Today, as I strolled by the museum, some visitors asked me to say a prayer of blessing for safe travel. That’s good to do for any travel, but especially facing summer’s crowded highways.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

I had big plans for accomplishing so many things in the office today, but my tired body talked me into lying down on the office couch for just 10 minutes after lunch. Three hours later I woke up, so I must have really needed that one!

Before and after resting, I made some good progress on the pile of letters on my desk, which was my main goal.

In this age of email, letter writing is becoming a lost art. I probably keep my notes too brief, but I still like to drop people a personal line, especially when they’ve taken the time to send me a card or letter.

I got down to the last five notes that sit unanswered in my basket. The challenge will come Monday to see if I can keep up from here given all the day-to-day happenings.

Cards and letters have provided me great encouragement through this illness. And, in my daily prayers, it’s certainly increased my awareness of people’s fears and anxieties and need during their particular illnesses.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

I concelebrated mass downtown at St. James parish.

In the communion line, I got one big bear hug from a four year old that wouldn’t let go until I’d given the rest of his family communion. I also had to deftly maneuver the hosts out of the reach of an inquisitive two year old in her mother’s arms!

Many of the folks in town greeted me afterwards with a hug or hearty handshake. “It’s good to see you out and about!” was heard often. It is so good for me to get out into the community more and more.

Markus is a cultural anthropologist and museum curator from Germany who helped evaluate our museum collection a year or so ago. He is back in the States taking pictures of some of our paintings that he hopes to put together into a traveling exhibition of Lakota art that can be displayed at three cities in Germany. There is great interest in Plains Indian culture overseas. But also, for a small museum, we are developing a nice collection with good variety and perspective.  

We had our monthly SCJ gathering for prayer and fellowship. We elected a new leadership team in June. Now we’re beginning discussion of ways to strengthen and improve our Religious Life. It obviously starts with a deeper commitment by each individual to prayer. But, we have to also promote programs and activities that support people in their struggles, and give us a vision of where we want to go in the future.

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future. View all posts by St. Joseph's Indian School