Day Four on the Road 
News You Can Use

Santo Domingo Pueblo

As we drove south on interstate 25 we could see where the blue skies begin and the brown earth ends in every direction. The speed limit is 75 out here and the roads are as straight as a 12 inch ruler. Feeling liberated and free we headed out to our destination; Santo Domingo Pueblo. Here is where we are going to met up with a Pueblo Indian, Anthony Lovota.

Anthony greeted us in the parking lot of his church where his people gather for most events. His smile was welcoming and his arms were stretched as he told us to follow. As Anthony led us through his village the students where getting their first glimpse of what life was like living on a reservation. The streets were not paved like the streets back home. I had to call up my driving spirit to maneuver the narrow dirt roads lined with traditional adobe homes. The same spirit’s hand guided me through Columbia River Gorge when we were living on the edge, back in Washington State.

I have come to learn today a new culture, a culture that dates back fifteen hundred years.. There is a lot to learn here. As the students piled out of the van, hummingbirds were flying over head. While watching the hummingbird’s wings, I noticed the wings moving so fast, that the naked eye can not see. First Lesson: look beyond the physical, there is so much more to life.

The very first thing that Anthony did was to introduce all of us to his mother and his immediate family. He shared with us the jobs and responsibility of each member.  He welcomed us into his home as if we were part of his extended family. Second Lesson: Revere family and treat all people with respect. First things first.

Once the introductions were in order we walked across the street to his studio and home. The students gathered around as Anthony explained his trade, his passion and the skill of making jewelry that has been handed down from generation to generation. Third Lesson: The Great Spirit will always place inside of you a gift that will supply all of your needs. I could see in his eyes a twinkle as he showed each of us his creations and ancestral heritage.

It just so happens that the day we are here on the reservation,, June 29th is a day of celebration, honoring Saint Pedro. Anthony tells the students “there is no mistake that you happen to be here today” At that very moment in time, we were meant to be right where we were standing. Things started to click in my head as I was remembering back two weeks ago when a friend named “Peter” asked me to pick him up a few pieces of “native jewelry” as I traveled New Mexico. Here I was on the fest of Saint Peter, watching Anthony a famous jewelry maker demonstrating his skills.  
Forth Lesson: Trust the process; Know that the Great Spirit has a plan for each and every one us. Recognize He will place you in the right place at the right time to get the lesson needed for your spiritual growth. There is no such thing as a coincidence.

I have spent time on the Hopi Reservation back in the nineties and I was finding many similarities between the Hopi and the Pueblo. Anthony explained to us that the Hopi and the Pueblo where one in the same, the only difference being location. He went on to tell us that both tribes where of a peaceful nature. They believe in loving their fellow man. As he spoke, I watched a tear fall from his eye and roll down his cheek. It was as if all the unjust happening in this world today was in that single tear. There was a heart connection to this universe and a reverence for his fellow man that was overwhelming and sincere. I fought back my own tears as he spoke from his heart. I understood that the worries of this world could change if we could love one another. We were never meant to be cruel to each other. That is not coinciding with the universal law of harmony. Fifth Lesson: Reverence for all living things, even the ones that get on your everlasting nerves.

As the days events unfolded we were invited to eat lunch with the Lovato Family. This was truly a family event. The table was jammed pack with food celebrating the Festival of St. Pedro. The Lovato Family gathered around this huge table with us as their guest. With a blink of an eye the kids dove into the food and from there on I only could only hear munching and crunching as they devoured the food in front of them. We had the honor of meeting family members from Grandfather all the way down to the latest addition Momo meaning grandson. Sixth Lesson: Cherish the family and honor thy mother and father. Understand that the universe strategically placed you there to learn valuable lessons in this life journey.

For me the biggest lesson I learned today came from Lesson number seven. As I listen to Anthony’ older cousin Salut telling of his time in Viet Nam, Anthony stood patiently waiting. Not once did he interrupt his cousin to tell him we had to go. He let him finish his story to the end. Only when we got his cousins blessing, we were able to leave. There is a process going on here, a healing happening, as Salut tells of the struggles coming home and readjusting to civilian life. His life in the service had a major impact to his process and he need to share it with us. He left the students with the motto to never give up, keep on keeping on, and persevere.   Seventh Lesson: In each one of us there is a story. Our journeys may vary but they are the foot prints we leave here for other to follow. So take the time to listen to what our elders have to say. Recognize the universal law of patience.

Off to the horse races, another first for me. I can not pull up anything from my inner being that can compare to what I experience at the Festival of Horses. I am sure the students will fill you in on all of the details but the lesson I took away from this is the Eighth Lesson: Every culture has it roots; we are to respect the diversity of others. We can adapt, we can compromise. The Ancestral Pueblos adapted their religion with the religion of the Spaniards, Catholicism. As Anthony explained the design of his cross creation he talks about two religions coming together. What he calls the “original religion” and the “other religion”. He refers to the spiritual roots of his ancestral ancestors as the “Original Religion”. He refers to the “Other Religion” formed from the Catholic Church. Both religions now are part of the Pueblo’s way of life. Both have come together as one. The church is the center of their lives.  We can hold strong to our own beliefs but understand not everyone is as you. Respect differences that are here to learn from.

As we ended the day, we drove back to grandmother’s home.  We are coming away with many lessons learned. We give thanks to grandmother for her hospitality and everything the Lovato Family shared with us today. Ninth Lesson: Gratitude …. Give thanks to God for the people who cross our paths. I may never see Anthony and his family again. That will be left up to the Great Spirit. He is in charge of the master plan. So I am extremely grateful for the lessons I have learned today, for the hospitality given and for the history shared. Which leads me to the final lessons;

Tenth Lesson: Connection ….. We are all connected as I said in my earlier journals. That strand that connects us is truly there.  Today’s visit to Santo Domingo Pueblo confirmed this. All of us are walking away different. We all have a piece of this place instilled on our hearts that we will never forget.