Stijati..... She was sitting in the waiting room, all by herself, hands across her lap, knees together, pensive, yet patient. I glanced her way as I moved past her on the way to another chore down the long hallway of one of the largest metropolitan hospitals in our area. But, I made a mental note to stop by her on the way back. She was still there, thirty minutes later, in almost the same exact pose. I smiled at her as I walked her way. She returned the smile. "Henscha!" I offered. Her eyes lit up, "Henscha, Hila-mai-hey?" "Ston-go," I replied. She nodded her assent. "What are you waiting for," I asked. "X-ray," was her one word reply. "I'll check for you," and I strode off to find one of the techs. "Hey, that little Elder out there, she's still waiting, what's her progress?" I asked the receptionist. 'Who? Where?" was her reply. I told her about the Elder who I had seen waiting in the lobby. "We didn't know she was here, she didn't sign in or anything, where is she?" "Aha," I thought to myself. I know that she just went where she was told and upon finding the place, simply sat down to be waited on, oblivious to the fact there is something called a sign-in sheet or to register with the receptionist. Having cleared up the misunderstanding, I returned to the Elder and explained that she would be attended to in a few moments. "Mvto," she said in thanks. "Inga, no problem," I replied. Walking away back down the hallway, I heard her say something. "Na-git?" I asked. She motioned for me to come back to her, and taking her hand in mine, shook it and simply said, "Stijati". "Yes, ma'am, Stijati." We smiled in parting, and I walked down the hallway to my next chore as Stijati, "Indian". Her sentiment was that she recognized me as a Stijati and that this is the way we take care of each other. E-la! |
"Stijati....." © Wauhilau as posted in
alt.discuss.clubs.public.culture.native-american.benable
on Thu, Jun 8, 2006, 8:39pm (EDT-3)
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"Mercy Street" midi courtesy of élan michaels bead bar courtesy of Greasy Grass