Miawaka

By Victoria Ramsey

Miawaka is based on the true story of a young girl abandoned by her family in the Arizona desert. Fortunate for her there was a reservation close by. That evening as she was lying on the desert floor close to death, one of the young men found her. As he reached down and lifted her into his arms, she became conscious long enough to realize she had been rescued. She could sense she was safe and drifted back into unconsciousness. This would be the beginning of her journey into the Red Mans world. Here she would learn the definition of the word love. She would discover joy, laughter, and the true meaning of family and friendships. She would grow to love nature and respect Mother Earth. Although she was returned to the white mans world, those days on the reservation never left her.

www.victoriaramsey.com

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781504970112

Victoria Ramsey

Victoria Ramsey is a licensed counselor and mentor for younger women. She is the accomplished author of, “It’s Not Okay, Babies Do Know”. She enjoys writing, photography, travel, attending Pow-wows, visiting a special wolf at a nearby wolf sanctuary and spending quality time with family and friends. Recently, she has become reacquainted with a friend who challenges her to add more fun and laughter in her life. Visit Victoria at the web address below. She looks forward to hearing from you. www.victoriaramsey.com

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© 2016 Victoria Ramsey. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 01/12/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5049-7010-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-7009-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-7011-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015921043

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Foreword

Dedication

Preface

Just the Right Moment

Abandoned

Rescued

Silver Hair

White Stone

Rabbit Stew

LOVE

Lone Wolf

The Meadow

The Creek

Horse Woman

The Garden

Changing of Seasons

The Road to the Meadow

Final Meeting with the Elders

Great Spirit’s Plan

Day of Departure

Back in White Man’s World

Wet Bear

White Man’s World

Red Feather

Lone Wolf

Life on the Rez

Life Without Strife

Paradise Begins

Today

A Rainy Day Book

About the Author

Foreword

To protect the innocent, some of the names and locations mentioned herein have been changed.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my sons and to those who have always stood beside me and supported me through some of the most trying times in my life. To my granddaughter who assisted me with the book cover. To all the Native Americans, I have met at Pow-Wows, who have embraced me and welcomed me into their lives.

Preface

This book is based on a true story. In this book the author has attempted to put on paper the beauty and compassion found within the Native American spirit for all mankind. It’s the story of how a young girl was rescued by Native Americans in the early 1950’s, after a viciously cruel act committed by her step father.

Although she was returned to the white man’s world, those days on the reservation never left her. The memories have always flowed through her mind like a crystal clear brook, underneath a sea of murky water. In mid-summer every year she often thinks of those days long past and tries to imagine what her life would have been like had she stayed on the rez.

Just the Right Moment

What were you doing out on the desert floor that night?

Did you have any idea what was there in the distance in your sight?

Did you question, "What could this be?

Before realizing that what you were looking at was me?

Were you afraid to touch me, did you think I was dead?

What kind of thoughts must have gone through your head?

I was cold and afraid as I lay there very still,

Believing in my heart of heart, no one cared or ever will.

Then you came and with much love did you show

To a little girl you did not even know.

What courage it took for you to carry me home with you,

Facing the elders and sharing the news

Of how you had found me on your walk through the night

How you were willing to keep me although it could mean a fight.

Your mom and the elders were right to send me back to the white man

However, many times I had wished I was back in that faraway land.

You came along at just the right moment

Great Spirit knew you were the one to be sent.

Your face eludes me but your love never will

After all this time your presence is with me still.

Abandoned

The sun had long set behind the desert hills and the evening moon had begun its’ journey toward the center of the night sky. The little girl just wanted to sleep. She had cried all the tears she possibly could. She could feel pain radiating down her lower back and she had a terrible headache. There was a throbbing sensation in the back of her head and numbness had begun to form in her legs. The chill of the evening wind was beginning to blow. Huge amounts of sand pebbles were blowing toward her. She closed her eyes to avoid any sand from entering. As her eyes closed, she could only think of how much she wanted her eyes to remain closed and go to sleep. Only sleep would not come as long as the wind was blowing. Between the chill of the night wind, pain, and pebbles of sand hitting her skin, going to sleep was impossible!

In the distance she could hear the sound of traffic. Trucks and cars were moving really fast. I am here! I am here! she wanted to scream but no sound came from her mouth. No one would be able to hear her anyway. She was too far from the road lying in a shallow ditch. The desert sand continued to blow over her. Soon I will be all covered up! she thought. She questioned, Is that why my mother left me here, so the desert would become my grave? She felt exhausted and just wanted to sleep. No more thinking, just sleep.

She tried curling up but the pain in her lower back prohibited such a position. She began to think again, Perhaps as more and more sand covers me, the chill of the night wind will become less noticeable and the sand pebbles will no longer sting my skin. The moon had risen now to a place in the sky which allowed the darkness around her to be lifted. The sand around her appeared to glow in the night. What a beautiful sight! she thought. By now, she was feeling quite tired and thirsty. Her lips were becoming chapped from the desert winds and her throat felt extremely dry. Tears were beginning to form in her eyes. As she lay there she thought to herself, I am glad mother is not here now to tell me to stop crying.

The girl began to reflect upon how it was when she was with her mother and what had happened tonight to cause her now to be lying in the desert. She started to remember how it was during her beatings. Her mother always warning her to stop crying or she would be beaten more. It never mattered how many tears she would choke back, there was always another strike. The beatings happened nearly everyday but not today. Her mother had been happy and eager for the party at their house to begin. There were several couples from her stepfather’s work coming over for an early dinner before the real party began. After dinner there would be much drinking and wild dancing. Her mother had prepared all the food and taken a long time getting dressed for the party. As usual at these parties, her stepfather would have one too many drinks of alcohol and begin flirting with the other women who were there. Her mother would also do her share of flirting and brushing up against the other men trying to seduce them to the bedroom or get them to dance.

She had seen this many times although the adults thought she was always in another part of the house. There were times when the noise level had raised her curiosity and she had sneaked outside to peek through the windows. Tonight had been different. She had been called into the room where the party was. Marie, get your self in here! It was her stepfather’s voice. When she entered the room she could tell he was intoxicated and she became very frightened. Every time her stepfather became intoxicated he would touch her inappropriately. Marie’s mother never seemed to care if he touched her. It was as if her mother condoned the molestation. This evening had been no different. Only this time he had gone much farther with her than he ever had.

The other couples were so involved in their riotous behaviors; they had not noticed what was happening. Marie’s stepfather had always threatened her with her life if she ever cried for help but tonight the pain of the molestation was so intense she couldn’t refrain any longer. She began to cry. Suddenly her stepfather stopped what he was doing. Then he picked her up with the blanket she was laying on and threw her up in the air. She had felt like she was flying and would never come back down. Although it all happened very quickly she felt like it was in slow motion. She watched as the ceiling