Hello from Chickasha, Oklahoma!

This is your friend, Braison Domingo Running Bear.  I am sorry for not writing in such a long time; demands of school and family prevent me from having much in the way of free time.  I hope you understand.

I am no longer so little.  I am nearly a teenager: I will be thirteen in a few months.  I am in the eighth grade at the local middle school.  School is okay, I guess, but I am more than ready for summer vacation!!

I have a bit of sad news to tell:  Grandmother died a few months back; she had a massive heart attack and never fully recovered from that.  So it's just Mother, me, my sisters, and my two little brothers.  Grandmother now joins Father in the spirit world; they are now a part of the sky, and they live on in our hearts.

I miss them.

Mother hasn't really accepted Grandmother's death.  She cries a lot, and she yells at the kids to shut up.  I am the man of the house, so when Mother is depressed (and that is often), I have to take over and watch over my brothers and sisters.  Brooke, who is now fiteen, helps me.  Brooke is my oldest sister, and the oldest in the family of the kids.

The weather here in Oklahoma has been stormy.  Just last week we got nailed with round after round of severe storms, including the possibility of tornadoes.  No tornadoes here, thank goodness, but there were some north and east of here.  We did get a lot of hail and heavy rain, though, not to mention, lightning and thunder.  It was really bad.

Now Tennessee is getting it, as is Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama.  I'm glad it's moved on!  I've had enough of storms to last me the rest of my days!

Now it is sunny and pleasant.  After school today, I think I will play some serious stickball with my friends.  Yeah, that sounds like a good plan.

This Saturday we're going to another pow wow.  It is becoming that season again.  I will probably be participating; I usually do during pow wow time.  I really enjoy seeing all my Native brothers and sisters and seeing other tribes.  I also love to dance; the music and the drumming gets right down to my soul, and at times, I feel like Father is right beside me.  We used to do the dances together.  It was a lot of fun.

I just hope the weather co-operates!! 

Well, I have to go.  Time to switch classes.  I just had Study Hall.  Next is Physical Education.  I will write in here again soon; until then, this is Braison Running Bear signing off!  Take care and may the Great Spirit watch over you and bless you!

~Braison.  :)