Louisiana hears from a friend who hasn't written to her in a while.
Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006, Alaska time~
Deae Louisiana~
I am sorry for not being the kind of friend you want me to be, but I felt that you were suffocating me with your faith and your stories about your family, and I had to take a break. I do hope that you understand. I am more of a private person, and I am still trying to wrestle with my traditionalist upbringing verses the ways of the Dog Children. It is still all very confusing, and I am just not used to your ways, no matter how hard I try.
I am still living up here in Barrow. It is brutally cold here, and life is indeed harsh; but it is what I am used to, and I am very comfortable in my element. I have been doing a lot of thinking about you and wondering how you have been doing. This is one reason why I am writing to you today. I do hope that all is well with your family, and I do think of you often.
I have been fairly well, but I am still having problems accepting my MS. I am trying not to walk with crutches, but on some days I have no choise. I feel so tired and rundown a lot of the time, and with my world, this is not easy. I am expected to cook for the hunters, clean the carrion that they bring home, and tend to the children of our village when they visit. I am expected to mend ripped clothing or make new clothing, and with my shaky nature, it is difficult at best. Still, I AM stubborn, and not even a little MS will stop me! :)
My only link to the outside world is this computer. Otherwise, I know nothing of what is going on. At tiems, I think this is the best way. I don't like the world of the Dog Children: too many bad things going on, too many uncertainties, too many changes for me to be able to handle. I am comfortable in my simple, backward world, and I am happiest with My People.
It has been brutally cold here in Barrow, highs in the subzeros, even colder at night. Best to stay holed up in my house or make sure the dogs have plenty of food, make sure that the traps are set, make sure that the men have food and clean clothes. I am always working, at times to the point of near collapse. I thank the Great Spirit I have my neighbor Aasalaq to help; she lives next door, and she has been a very good friend. She knows of my health problems, and she is very supportive.
Don't think I don't want you for a friend, because I DO. I think you are one of the sweetest people I have ever met, and I hope that the Great Spirit blesses you with all that is good in life. I know he has been taking care of me in my difficult days.
Well, Louisiana, I will go now. The dogs are barking; they must be hungry, or else something else is going on. I will get back to you another day. Do write back to me if you see fit. I will be waiting for your letter.
My uncle worked on the Alaskan pipeline in Barrow, Alaska in the 1970s. He told of the extreme cold and how they were only allowed to work there for six weeks at a time because of the extreme environment that would make one go insane, and then after six weeks, the crews would be sent home for a few weeks to debrief, and then return to Barrow to work once again. He said the pipeline supervisors hired American cooks and brought them in because the Native Eskimo food did not set well with the American workers. I learned a lot of things from him through his stories. Sikik has her own culture values and I respect her honesty. These people live an entirely different life than we do. Thanks for the letter today, Karen Lynn.
Have to agree with Karla, Karen... this is an intriguing write by nature of it's original perspective and really "takes me there"... yet it is threaded through with your hallmark honesty and compassion - shared by all people's of the world! Thank you for this insight. Makes me think. LOL Kate xx Prayers for Daddy's surgery... SOOOOOOOOOON!! :))
Exploring the impact of literary icon Flannery O'Connor's noted legacy on the cultural realities of modern-day America, the world, and a certain author.
Exploring the impact of literary icon Flannery O'Connor's noted legacy on the cultural realities of modern-day America, the world, and a certain author.
