December 21, 2017
THE SACRED CIRCLE
“You have noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the power of the world always works in circles, and everything tries to be round. In the old days all our power came to us from the sacred hoop of the nation and so long as the hoop was unbroken the people flourished. The flowering tree was the living center of the hoop, and the circle of the four quarters nourished it. The east gave peace and light, the south gave warmth, the west gave rain and the north with its cold and mighty wind gave strength and endurance.
Everything the power of the world does is done in a circle. The sky is round and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours. The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does the same and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves.” – Black Elk, Oglala Lakota (Sioux), Medicine Man and Holy Man (1863 – 1950)
Dear Mountain Shadows Family:
Black Elk’s quote above came to me as I looked up into the night sky on December 3rd. The Cold Moon seemed bigger and brighter than any I’ve seen before – a shining circle of brilliant light suspended in the sky over San Pasqual Valley.
As I stood there in silence, looking up at the same moon Black Elk had viewed over a century before, it occurred to me that our Mountain Shadows family has created our own Hoop of Life, our own great Circle of Caring. And the circle of the four quarters nourishes us all:
The east quarter gives us compassion, for each other and all life.
The south quarter represents advocacy, supporting the right for all to live a full and dignified life.
The west quarter embodies our core principle of respect for others.
The north quarter bestows encouragement, to live our dreams and fulfill our highest potential.
Compassion. Advocacy. Respect. Encouragement. We have all joined together in this Sacred Circle because we C.A.R.E.
And our Circle is ever-growing.
Because our staff cares – by feeding those who can’t eat on their own, by reading to those who cannot see, by holding the hands of those who feel alone – our residents blossom.
Because volunteers like Pastor Don King care, our residents have the opportunity to express their faith at the Beyond Limits worship services every Sunday.
Because Mountain Shadows resident Brittany, who lives with cerebral palsy, cares, she visits amputees in the naval hospital every week. She tells them she loves them and she thanks them for their service.
Because companies like Catalent Pharma Solutions care, Julio – a teen left paralyzed after a horrific car accident – now has more freedom, more mobility, due to a generous donation of special Hoyer Lifts, which help caregivers get him out of bed, into his wheelchair, and into his favorite bean bag chair.
Because organizations like Twin Oaks High School care, our Mountain Shadows Outreach clients work hand-in-hand with students, creating beautiful art and making extraordinary friendships.
Because Christine, a wheelchair-bound client cares, she colored a picture for Twin Oaks student, Luis.
Because Luis cared, and was touched by Christine’s act of kindness, he drew the most beautiful picture for Christine in return and gave it to her, along with the biggest, most beautiful hug ever.
It was Luis’ last hug on this earth, his last hug before he returned Home to the loving arms of God.
But, because Twin Oaks High School cared…
Because Christine cared…
And because Luis cared…
The Hoop that encircles us all has grown ever stronger…
Because Luis’ mother has joined our Mountain Shadows Sacred Circle – as a Preschool toddler teacher, now caring for those who cared for her son.
And because Luis’ sister has also joined our Sacred Circle – as a volunteer, now caring for those who cared for her brother.
And so, from childhood to childhood – and beyond – our Mountain Shadows Hoop of Life grows and remains unbroken, because we all care.
To all of you, who comprise the living center of this magnificent and powerful Circle of Caring, may you flourish, throughout the New Year, and always.
Wade Wilde
Executive Director
Because I CARE
