Hello!  It's me, Joe Curlybear Spirit.  Hope this finds all of you well and reasonably happy!

I am doing okay.  Still no problems with my allergies and asthma acting up (though what's to say it won't? Spring is about here, but you wouldn't know it from the way it feels outside:  bitter cold and snow still visible on the ground.  Feels more like the middle of January than the beginning of March!)

Grandmother, on the other hand, is back in the hospital again.  Went in in the middle of the night on Thursday), and she's still there today.  Heart/breathing acted up.  Her gasping, labored breathing pulled us all out of a sound sleep; we knew she was in trouble, so Mary (my big sister) called for the paramedics.  They then came in their big, white ambulance and carted Grandmother off to the hospital.

Mother has been with Grandmother a good part of the time since while Father takes care of us (that is, when he isn't off working).  Otherwise, Mary and Matthew (my big brother) watch out over me, the "little guy" (i.e., the baby brother).

I am still hoping to go to the powwow in a few months here.  I'd love to get my best dancing outift on and dance the day away!  To me, the sounds of pounding drums, the jangling of the bells, and the fervored singing is the best sound this side of Heaven!  It's very intoxicating; I can get lost in the music of my ancestors very easily!

I suspect Mother will call us sometime today to let us know how Grandmother is doing in the hospital.  I have been whispering prayers to Heaven; I hope God is listening.  I don't know what I would do if I were to lose Grandmother; she and I have always held a special, close relationship.  I pray she survives this latest illness ...

Well, it's too freakin' early for me to be up; church isn't for another four hours.  I will see if I can get at least another hour (or two) of shuteye.  I will write in here again soon; until then, this is Joe Curlybear Spirit saying so long and God bless!

~Curlybear.  :)