Forgotten Elders
In Ojibway language Society Miinawaa Forum Message #7464 dated June
20,2007 Padi Kallen wrote:
Aaniin
I would like to send some cards to a little grandma I met in the nursing
home
while visiting my father. She really touched my heart-the first time I
met her and chose to sit next to her in the lunch room area, she kissed
my hands over
and over again as I sat next to her-she kept trying to pull my chair
closer to her wheelchair. I tried to talk to her-speaking only the few
words that I knew
at the time. The nurses say that she is alone and since she does not
speak
English-nor do any of the nurses-so it's hard for her. She was thrilled
that I "tried" my best to speak with her, as I sat beside her in the
nursing home.
When I was home this Spring I took her some powwow music to listen
to-again she was so happy. A few days later, I took my daughter who is
15 to meet her. Again we took the music with us-As soon as it started
she motioned for my daughter to dance which she did-that little grandma
was just beaming she was so happy-as other people came in to watch-she
motioned for them to sit down-you could tell how proud she was. By the
end of our visit-the whole nursing staff and a few visitors had joined
my daughter in a round dance. When we visited her the third time, my
daughter's friend went along and she could translate for us. On one of
my visits this crabby lady asked me-how can you sit and visit with her
when she does not speak English?? I told her- you don't have to have
words to know that she is happy to have someone visit anyway-I'm not
sure she understands why I don't come to see her now so I wanted to send
her some cards until I go back next year.
I want to send her a card with the short message if someone can help
with
translation-even if you only want to translate a portion of it that is
fine.
I would like to say something like:
My friend
I want you to know that you are in our hearts. We hope that you are
well. My
daughter will dance for you again and I will visit when we come to
Canada next
summer. I will think of you during this year
Many blessings little grandma
Much love until we see you
I'm not sure if she can read-not sure how well she sees, etc-so my
daughter's
friend or another speaker will go to read it for her. Others in the
community
will look in on her-they did not know she was there and alone-so
apparently she came from one of the First nations nearby rather than
from town where people knew her.
Please remember our forgotten elders in your prayers if this touches
your heart. If you dance, maybe it would be nice to visit a nursing or
care center and share that with someone-I know that day will be a part
of my daughter's life forever-she kept saying-mom-did you see how proud
that little grandma was??
Migwetch
Patti
The Translation:
My friend, grandma;
Neechi-ekwa, Kokomis;
I want you to know that you are very much loved
Ki-nah ta-way nim-inn chii-kii kay-ta mun ap-pii-ja ke-sha-way
nii-mee-goo-un
We think of you always
Ke-nah kaa-da way nii mee-goo ta-pii-ta.
We pray for you from our heart.
Day-in-nahung ke-doo chaa un-nah way-ta-mah-goo
We hope that you get well soon.
Bay-gish mee-no ah-inn wee-pah
My daughter will dance for you again when she sees you
Da-nis kee-gah nee-mee ta-muk min-na-wah wa-pah-mik
I will visit when we come to Canada next summer.
Kee-gah pee-un-da wa-pah mee-goo kee-tom Canada pee-sha-ung nim-nah
wah niiping.
Always, I will think of you
Ta-pii-ta kee-gah na-gah tah-way min-inn
Many blessings and love I give you little grandma
Mii-sah ka-mik min-no yea-inn, ta-gooh sha-way gee-gay-inn
kee-mee-nin Kokomis