Farewell Spring Flowers
By Shirley Mendonca
Copyright 2011- Published By Smashwords
Off in the distance you could hear the cry of the coyotes, the loud sound of the wind whistling through the trees, and the smell of smoke coming from the campfires.
Posala Harjo prepares the deer meat for the evening meal, while her Mother gathers wood to last during the night. Posala’s family is from the Miwok tribe. Posala remembers growing up in the wilderness. Every fall they had to move to the flat lands to prepare for the winter. She remembers the long journey they would make down from the mountains to the flat land. How they would have to sit up the village over and over. Then in the springtime, they would return to the mountains until spring. One of her best memories was the flowers that would bloom in the spring. So many different colors and how she loved to pick them and give them to her Mother. One day when she and her Mother were washing clothes in the river, Posala asked her Mother about the flowers.
“I never told you this before Posala, but when you were born we were on the flat lands and the flowers were in bloom. I named you Posala because its meaning is farewell spring flowers”.
However, times have changed. The government passed a law stating that the Indian tribes had to move on to a reservation. Posala only remembered that she was a small child and starting to school in the small town near the reservation. Since Posala started going to the school in town she has had to make many adjustments. At first, she was comfortable wearing her Indian dress, moccasins, and her hair in long braids with her headband, but some of the girls in her class would look at her and laugh asking, “Are you going to do an Indian dance for us?” Posala would respond with a smile, “Of course, if you will teach me your war dance”. She knew it was important to keep her tribal traditions, but she so wanted to dress like the other girls at school.
She has now finished high school and is preparing to attend college.
“Posala do you have the deer meat ready?” Her Mother asked. ”Yes, Mother. It is ready. I will take it up and finish preparing it in the house.” Posala just could not understand why they had to cook outside when there was a wood burning stove in the house. Her Mother only gave her the answer”, it is just our traditions, Posala. This is the way we have done it for years. You know how much your Father wants to keep the old traditions. At least this is one we can continue for him.”
Posala understood her Father’s feelings. She also had the chance to see some of the white man’s ways. They had something they called cars. The first time Posala saw one she was coming out of the schoolhouse. It made a very loud, funny sound. One of the students laughed and told her the sound was coming from what they called a horn and the noise was coming from what they called the motor. When Posala told her Father about the car and the sound his answer was, “We are not of the white man’s ways.
“I know Father, but since I have been going to school I have seen some wonderful things that could make our way of living much better. Like the word-burning stove, we have inside the house. It would make cooking so much easier for Mother. Posala’s Father looked up from his plate, frowned, and responded. ”The stove is good to keep the house warm in the winter. The meat does not taste the same when cooked on it. It doesn’t have the smoke taste to it.” Posala could tell she was not getting anywhere with her Father and she did not want to show any disrespect. “I understand what you mean. You are right. It does taste much better cooked over the open fire.”
One evening after her Father had got to bed she asked her Mother if she could buy some dresses like the white girls wore when she when to college. Her Mother response was, “I understand how you feel Posala. We will go into town just before you leave for college and buy you some clothes that you will feel comfortable wearing, but when you return home to visit you must wear the traditional clothing.” Her Mother gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Oh, thank you Mother. It’s going to be so hard to leave the reservation, you, Father and go into the white man’s world and ways.” Posala answered with tears in her eyes.
Hanzee, Posala’s best friend, stood knocking on the door wondering why she had not joined the others at the party last night.
“Hanzee. Come in. “Posala said as she opened the door.
“Where were you last night? We all waited at the Rec. center for over an hour.” Hanzee smiled as he entered the room.
“I’m sorry, but I had to finish up some applications for college.” Posala smiled, and lead Hanzee into the living room. “I should heard something back soon about going away to college.”
“I will miss you, but I know this is something you need to do. I just don’t understand why you are not happy living here on the reservation. I have a good job in town and you know how I feel about you.”
Posala laughed, “Hanzee, we grew up together and had many times of great fun fishing, hunting, and just hiking, but I really want to become a Doctor so I can come back and help our people”.
“I understand Posala and I do know this would be a wonderful thing for you to do, but please don’t forget our ways.” Hanzee said as he leaned over and kissed Posala on the cheek.
Within the next two months, Posala had received her approval to attend the college she was hoping to attend. She now was ready to start a new life. She and her Mother had gone shopping for new clothes and luggage. The tribe had a large celebration for her the evening before she left the next day.
The loudspeaker was announcing the departures and arrivals of different flights when Posala and her parents arrived at the airport.
“Posala, please be careful and don’t talk to any stranger on the plane.” Her Mother said as she gave Posala a package of food to take on the plane.
“Mother, they give you food on the plane. But thank you for preparing this for me.” Posala smiled at her Mother as she takes the food.
“I know, but you just never know what is in the food.” Her Mother replied.
Posala could see her Father out of the corner of her eye standing back and looking around, taking in all of the sounds and activities going on. “Father, what do you think about the airport?” She asked as she gave him a big hug “It is like a different world than what we live in, but I guess it’s a good thing. It's just something I will have to adjust to.” He laughed and hugged Posala.”
“Flight 105 is now departing from gate 7. All passengers please board.” Posala hugged and kissed her parents and hurried off to her new world.
“I’ll call you when I get settled into the dorm to let you know everything is okay.” She called over her shoulder as she started up the steps of the plane.
Once Posala was on the plane and took her seat, she saw a strap lying in the seat. “I wondered what this strap is used for.” She said.
The nice, handsome man in the seat next to her laughed and replied.” You’ve never been on a plane before have you?”