___I ran really fast to my Father the other day, because I had something important to say.  Father I asked him if he would pray, for my spirit to glow again for me today.  He said to me then my dear child whats the matter, and so I said to him that today my glowing spirit began to scatter.  It flowed from me Father in a way I couldn't stop or control it.  And once it was gone Father I fell to the cold ground in tears, and an overwhelming feeling hit me and filled me with fear.    ___My Father said my daughter , there is no need for you to worry.  We will gather our stuff and go to Spirit Mountain, but we should hurry.  Because the day was getting ready to turn into night, so my Father took my hand and we quickly disappeared from sight.  On the way up the Mountain we encountered a big glowing light.  So I asked my Father what he thought was.   And he told me it's your glowing spirit so you don't have to worry, and don't have a care.     ___Well the further my Father, and I traveled up the Mountain. We came across a beautiful spring water fountain.  So we both put our things down to get a drink.  I saw the glow again, so I asked my Father that I thought it was getting brighter, don't you think.  My Father said I think I agree with you, but to try to reach it right now would make us real fools.  Because the sun had set faster then we thought it would. So we will build a fire here made with  birch-wood, and I said to my Father oh I suppose we could.     ___So as my Father, and I snuggled up by the fire we started cooking fish, corn-bread, and black eye peas.  And as we ate our supper my Father honored me with a story about a trip overseas.  And as he spoke the words I remember, how much they began calming me down.  He told me that on his trip, he had met a woman named Spokane, and they got along at first then he said, everything changed and on his face came a frown.  And as I began to see for the first time in my life, my Fathers eyes fill with tears.  But I suppose I should get over it , because that is the past by many of years.     ___And as my Father continued to tell me all the things that they did.  I think some of it should have been kept to himself since I was just a kid.  Then I tried to pretend that I had fallen asleep, or so he thought I was as I listened to him weep.  So I went over to him and said, my Father she must have been someone very special and sent to you from above.  And as I hugged him I told him how sorry I was that he lost her, because it must have been love.  And we fell asleep while looking at the stars up above.  My Father said to me, no Little Wind it is you that I love.  And everyday I thank the Great Spirit, that he sent you to me from above.    ___As I was sleeping, I awoke suddenly shaking, and my stomach was churning.  I heard a great voice say to me, Little Wind you feel bad because it is your time for learning.  It is I, the great voice said who took your, spirit from with-in.  When I asked him why he did it, he said to me because it is your time to cleanse your spirit of sin.  You see Little Wind you are thirteen today, and you are turning from a child, to a little lady.  So you need to go to the top of the Spirit Mountain, and cleanse yourself from sin.  So I'm sending you with a guide, and her name is Princess Shady Sady.    ___The great spirit said one more thing to me before we left, he said good luck.  And told me I should do a good job, because when you come back tomorrow. I will be sending Princess Little Winds back home, and you will go with your Uncle Buck.  Then Sady said to me, that is why you need to cleanse your spirit from with-in.  Because when you go home with your spirit returned, there are games that they will test you in, and those you really need to win.  Because if you don't win these games, you will lose your spirit again, just cleanse from your sins.  Then Sady said that if that happened, she would be sad for me, because you would have to start again and, I don't know where you would have to begin.    ___So as we began to climb up the Mountain, I began to chuckle over my guides name, Princess Shady Sady.  I realized then I was very grateful my name was Little Wind, and that I was on my way up the Mountain, so I could win my right to become a lady.  As we traveled the road up the Mountain, I was beginning to get thirsty and I thanked the Great Spirit, because there all of a sudden was another spring water fountain.  And as we walked a little more I asked Sady, why my Father didn't come me.  When she said that I shouldn't worry he would be waiting for me up above.  So that when you are done with your tests, he will be there waiting to smother you with his love.  And at that time the Great Spirit will honor you, and your Father from above.  With all his wisdom, love, strength, and his courage. To help you and, your Father preserve that love you share, given to you from above. .    ___Little Wind here is where we will stop, and bunk down for the night.  You will build a fire, Sady said as we both collected wood, and I watched her disappear from my sight.  So I waited for her a little while, but she never did return.  This is when I heard the Great Spirit say, this is your first test to learn.  So as I stood there shaking trying to make a fire.  I saw a eagle staring at me from the telephone wire.  When all of a sudden there came a strange voice, and I was shocked because it was coming from that darn eagle.  He told me he was here from now on to be my guide, so I can reach the top to receive my head-dress , because my sweet girl you will then look regal.  Then the eagle began to fly, way up into the sky.  Then took a dive and grabbed a rabbit with his talons, I said to him as he returned boy you must have very good eyes.    __Then the eagle got stern with me, and said this is one of your tests.  To see if you can cook this food before we are able to rest.  So I cleaned out a spot for the fire pit. And stacked up the wood in it, then took out a match which I lit.  The worse thing I had to do was to cut the rabbit and spilled his guts.  And of course with no skills on how to do it, I wound up getting cut.  Well as I cooked the food I knew it was going to be done in a hour.  So I searched around and found a waterfall where I took a quick shower.  Then the eagle and, I sat down near each other and ate our meal.  Then the eagle asked me, now that your done with this test how do you feel.  And I told him that I felt very good.  But I'm very tired so we should get some sleep if we could.  And he said to me I suppose your right because soon it will be dawn.  And you need your rest so you can remain strong, as I laid my head down on the Mountains massive green lawn.    ___And as the sun set there came a mist over the forest trees, which made me get up onto my knees.  For I had forgotten to thank the Great Spirit, for keeping the night air above 40 degrees.  Then I felt a strange feeling come over me, it was the Great Spirit who said I am returning to you part of you spirit with-in.  So I asked why Great Spirit, are you only giving me half ,and he said because you will need it tomorrow if you are to win.  Then I thanked him as he retired for the night, but after he left I felt such a fright.  Because when it is dark out there, things can look scary in the night.  Well before you knew it was dawn, as I picked myself up off the wet Mountain lawn.  The eagle was yelling at me that we were running late.  For the next test's I had, he said he had already set them up, for a certain time and date.  So we ran up the Mountain as fast as we could, and on the way I tripped on a piece of wood.  And fell to the ground, then I thought to myself that's what I get for trying to run in my hood.    ___So I picked myself up off the ground, with my knees shaking because of the pain.  Then the eagle said to me you better hurry up, because it looks like soon it's going to rain.  So I moved myself as fast, as I could through the woods.  But it was getting real hard to do that when I had to carry all my goods.  But thank the Great Spirit all of a sudden there came a clearing.  Because I had just had it with the woods tearing at my earrings.  And in the clearing there everybody was waiting for me.  And my Father was there saying you made it you see.  Now that wasn't very hard he said, and grabbed me close as he always did, to give me a hug.  Then my Father said to me, go take your rightful place on the swearing in rug.  So I went over there and, kneeled on the rug while the, sun was shining bright in the sky.  And as I looked up at it, there came a light so bright that it stung my eyes.    ___But the light continued to burn me inside, sometimes so hot I, thought I would die.  And as I cried out for my Father to save me, he told me not to worry and to just close eyes.  Then once I closed my eyes it began to subside, and the burning lasted a little while longer.  When the Great Spirit touched me, and said I to go through that to make me stronger.  Great Spirit I asked how much longer this test was.  And he said to me not much longer, because I just was gave back the other half of my spirit with-in, and that's all there twas.  Then before I was allowed to get up off my knees My Father came over and placed on my head.  A beautiful head - dress, with colors of light blue, white, and bright red.  And my Father said to me, now you are my little Princess Little Winds.  Now lets go home and have supper, with all our kin, now that you are cleansed from your sins. _______________________________— written on my birthday___the 23rd, of June 2012___by Maria-Lyn