My friend, mentor, and Worshipful Brother Steve Fondren departed this world last Sunday morning. Just 54 years young! He was a member of the Cherokee Nation and inspired me to look at Native American spirituality. His heart was pure and good! We met on the level and he departed on the square.

“I am blind and do not see the things of this world; but when the Light comes from Above, it enlightens my heart and I can see, for the Eye of my heart sees everything. The heart is a sanctuary at the center of which there is a little space, wherein the Great Spirit dwells, and this is the Eye. This is the Eye of the Great Spirit by which He sees all things and through which we see Him. If the heart is not pure, the Great Spirit cannot be seen, and if you should die in this ignorance, your soul cannot return immediately to the Great Spirit, but it must be purified by wandering about in the world. In order to know the center of the heart where the Great Spirit dwells you must be pure and good, and live in the manner that the Great Spirit has taught us. The man who is thus pure contains the Universe in the pocket of his heart. “

Black Elk, a Medicine Man of the Sioux

I said a prayer and I wished Steve a speedy journey to his happy hunting grounds!

The next day, my dog and companion, Shadow died. She was a cattle dog, a Blue Heeler. I had her for ten years. The Vet said that her kidneys had failed and she would last only a day at the most in pain as the toxins accumulated within her. I had her put down to spare her the agony. She died in my arms. Before she went, I whispered to her to go find my Brother Steven and be his companion. She was always obedient. I know she will try.

I made it home before I cried.