On October 10, 2012 I took a journey back in time.
My Dear Friends, Barb and Vickie, gave me a ride to
St. Charles, MO, I got another ride a little further
West on I-70 and stood on the exit ramp of the rest area.
It was almost dark, so I was gonna go back to the MickeyD's
and have a cup of joe, when Bryan picked me up and was going
to Rapid City, SD. He gave me a ride to Kadoka, SD, and helped
me get a room for the night at the Budget Host motel.
After check-out I headed South on SD Hwy 73, to hwy 44W to Snake Butte Rd
on into Kyle. my last ride from Wanblee was with Sunny's aunt, she took me
to Sunny's house. I went to the door and knocked, Sunny's Mom answered, and
about that time Sunny and her sister arrived. I introduced myself
to Sunny, and told her that I mean and stand behind every word I had
written to her. She expressed to me that she was dealing with some
issues and had an agenda, I ask her if she wanted me to leave
and she said yes, I ask her to smile, she did, and I ask her
to forgive me if I had caused her any harm, that I just wanted
to be her friend and help her, any way that I could. I ask
her where I could go and sit, she directed me to the senior center,
where I went to sit and ponder the situation.
The senior center is across the street from the school, I watched
a little football and noticed a truck from the Housing dept. so
I went and ask the gentleman in the truck if he knew of any place
I could work for a place to sleep. He pointed to a blue house
and told me to go ask the lady there, she had no room available
but sent me to talk to the lady at the youth center. I went to the
Police station and got directions, I spoke with the lady there and
she could not help, I was too old, so I offered my services to her
and she told me about the Veterans shelter in Pine Ridge. I left
there and went back towards the senior center and on to the Catholic
Church building.
I sat on the steps for a while and met this cat,
The church was locked but I noticed some folks at another building
nearby, so I went and talked with the ladies there, I explained
my situation and they told me to talk to Fr. Rick. I went to his
residence, spoke with the housekeeper and learned the good Fr. was
at a meeting. I went back to the other building, and one of the
ladies called the Fr. and said he would be back soon. They
had baked bread and offered me some warm bread and coffee,
which was excellent. They informed me that there was going
to be a Pau Wau at the school and everyone was invited.
When Fr. Rick arrived, I spoke with him and explained my
situation to him, he could not offer me a room. I expressed
my desire to attend the Pau Wau, which if I attended would
cause me to miss the bus to Pine Ridge. I again expressed
my interest was in Kyle not Pine Ridge, so he said he
would get me a room at the motel if available and we could
meet up at the Pau Wau and he would give me a ride.
The buffalo was excellent along with the music and dancing, the new
staff was introduced and a good time was had by all.
The next morning I find myself 6 miles from Kyle, and
no smokes, about 50 miles from Pine Ridge, If I went to
Pine Ridge I would have transportation issues, so I went back
to Kyle, 5 minutes, a ride to Kyle. I got some smokes at
Lil Angels store and back to the senior center.
If you look to the left of the sign in the background, you will see
the senior center. After sitting there for a little while a gentleman
comes and sits at the bench nearby and we begin to talk, I explain
my situation and he asks me to come with him. His name is George
Gabriel White Thunder, he takes me to his dads house and introduces
me to his dad, Guy. George is around mid 50's his dad 84 years young,
Chief White Thunder, invited me to stay at his home, his wife
had passed 2 years ago, George comes and helps his dad with
his needs.
And the sunrise on 10/14/2012 Kyle, SD.
And snow on 10/22/2012 Kyle, SD.
There is more to this story, stay tuned, Peace!!!