The sinner’s prayer and the great Tom Jones heartfelt song.
The sinner’s prayer
My father believed, if he went to church on New Year eve. All sins would be forgiven. Father, old soldier, drinker and hell raiser. I pray, a place for men, who did not know peace. Only violence and confusion.
I told my children. They must pray for me. I have did the seven deadly sins. Maybe, our children must pray for us for us to find some sort of peace. I followed my father’s footsteps, served hateful and blood thirsty government, drank and I played the soldier well. I found Idyllwild, California. I roamed the mountain and I burned sage for my father.
I know, things done, can’t be forgotten. Words spoken, can sting our heart and create permanent separation. I learn my Ojibwa grandmother wisdom. Don’t hold on to hate. Hate and regret is a heavy load to carry. We must forgive and remember.
Today my 60 journals remind me. I wasn’t kind to many when I was young. Bad karma made me learn. Lead with kindness, concern and listen. Today I remember faces, I remember I was a foolish man. I learn too late, you shall pay for every deed, good or bad.
The God of life and death led me to my proper place. I was part of six children lives and a kind woman accepted me as-is. I am not like my father. I know, repetition of the seven deadly sin. You won’t find forgiveness, liar’s heart will taste hell one day.
I burn the sage by a place of perfect beauty, acres of free forest, the sun above me. I whispered, Thank you Idyllwild for the blessing of the trees, the free land and the clean air. I am here to pray for my father. I pray, he found peace in death, he rarely knew in life. I ask one day when I am done. Accept a sinner, who tried his best.
“The sinner’s prayer..
Forgive me for I have sins often, please lord of life and death.
Accept me, as-is.
I did my best,the devil kiss made me dance on fire and coal.
Please lead me to the right places, where I can know peace and calm.
Teach me, all things fall into proper place.
Old age made me wiser and today I stand by your perfect beauty.
Thank you for the sun, thank you for the forest and the great sea,
thank you for my children, thank you for my good health.
I am a sinner and I would understand, like father, I followed the hell-board path.
Thank you for your time.”
Today my children pray for me. I know the wealth of a man is what he leave behind. My children and grandchildren are my blessing. I give them, what I didn’t know. A safe place to rest. Life is lesson and more lesson. My wisdom I share is, lead with concern, kindness and listen to the people, you love. Never say negative words to another. Enough negative in this world for the people who are struggling. Be the open door when needed and the kind words of hope when needed. Love my friend, kind love. We need to share and spread. Hard life for many.
Dancing Coyote
My great grandmother was a Mi’kmaq woman. Sadly I never knew the culture or traditions. In my parents and grandparents time to admit to being indigenous meant closed doors, few, if any opportunities to work due to strong racist and bigoted people who did not understand. I strongly suspect my father’s mother was Innu or Innuit but cannot prove it. Still, I feel the ancestors and I pray for peace for them, for us, for all children on this good earth. We are all sinners, for who can be good but the Creator? Wishing you many, many blessings and days of peace and contentment. Thank you for sharing your story and your wisdom.
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Hello dear Carol. Our Native American suffered great hate and in Canada. Still taking the children from the reservation. I pray the governments could leave the free people alone. You re welcome my friend.
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Yes, unfortunately hatred, racism, bigotry is still very much alive and well. However, there are wonderful people fostering better understanding and compassion. I was honored to take in a lecture by a local Cree woman who is making strides in tearing down the walls of mistrust and misunderstanding, particularly in regard to the residential schools and the aftermath for generations. Take care, John, and stay safe and peace filled.
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I recognize! that wood-carved throne, I recall you saying you have a brother in Idyllwild
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My brother lived in Idyllwild dear Tiffany. A beautiful city. One day I will go to Idyllwild and write some books.
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