| When I was around 6 years old, there was a | | | | were gone, I fell asleep. |
| tremendous storm. I lay in bed listening to the thunder | | | | My life was never the same after that. I continued to |
| and rain. I liked it and felt excited by it. I watched the | | | | see beings and creatures that others didn't see. I |
| lightning through a window directly across from my | | | | quickly learned to keep it to myself. It seemed to scare |
| bed. It was a powerful display of light and sound. But | | | | everybody else. But I became used to it. I learned to |
| suddenly, lightning struck just outside my window. The | | | | observe and connect the actions of these creatures |
| room lit up in blinding white light. The light was so brilliant | | | | with various outcomes. If they were agitated I knew |
| that I was blinded for some time. Then as my sight | | | | trouble was coming. If they were just milling around, I |
| returned, everything had changed. | | | | knew things would be OK. My world was very simple |
| I could see small creatures all over my bedroom floor. | | | | back then. It was either good or bad. |
| They were very small and hairy. I suppose they could | | | | As the years went by, I began to take comfort in |
| be described as impish and didn't seem very friendly. In | | | | seeing a variety of "unseen" beings. I saw fairy people, |
| fact, they scared the heck out of me. I wanted | | | | little people, elves, and all sorts of creatures. No harm |
| desperately to get out of my room, but couldn't step | | | | ever came to me. It seemed I was protected. Then I |
| on the floor because of all the creatures. | | | | started to see ghosts and this was actually a very |
| I stood on my bed and decided I'd jump across the | | | | pleasant experience. At least I could talk to these |
| floor hoping to land in the hallway. It was a big leap for | | | | beings. And then there were the angelic ones. |
| such a small girl. I was afraid to jump. I tried to yell out | | | | Especially, a lady dressed in blue. Her dress and cloak |
| for my parents, but no sound would come from my | | | | were very long and the same shade of pale blue. She |
| throat. This made me even more scared. So, I finally | | | | glowed all over her head and hands. It seemed she |
| took the leap, landing just short of the hallway. I ran to | | | | was always praying or deep in thought. I was always |
| the living room where my parents were and tried to tell | | | | comforted by her presence. She has remained with |
| them what had happened. I had found my voice, but I | | | | me to this day. |
| couldn't describe what had happened. They told me to | | | | Later in my life, I was trained as a person who has |
| go back to bed and it would all be gone in the morning. | | | | "Ghost Medicine". Ghost medicine doesn't mean only |
| I turned back down the hallway and approached the | | | | ghosts, you are required to be able to speak and |
| door of my room. There were the creatures. They | | | | translate from any of the numerous "unseen beings". |
| were everywhere. There wasn't even a small path for | | | | The most common in Lakota are: Ghost (Wanagi), |
| me to walk on. So, I took small steps and dared to | | | | Fairies (Gimmimila Wakan), Little people (Oyate cicala) |
| step on them. But they disappeared as my feet came | | | | and Helper Spirits (Tunkasila). I find it most interesting |
| down. I made it to my bed, crawled in and watched | | | | that almost all cultures around the world have the |
| these odd creatures. Eventually, they started to | | | | same sort of beings, just with different names. In |
| disintegrate. Like a slow fade in a movie. Once they | | | | Lakota it is said: 'We are all related" (Mitakuye Oyasin). |