On Wednesday, I will cry
On Friday, May 5, Elder Mary Uslick from Chilliwack quietly left this world.
I am deeply saddened but remember her for the gifts of her teachings.
Even though I am not aboriginal, Elder Mary embraced me without judgment and shared her wisdom that helped me on my own journey. Because of her, I give thanks to the Creator every day.
I posted about Elder Mary on my blog a while ago. That post has detailed information about Elder Mary and can be found here.
[Click on image for larger version and for the photo caption.]
She was fondly called Grandma Mary by many people. Yet she was a fierce advocate for many especially the aboriginals incarcerated in our prisons.
I will remember her drumming and prayers for my friend Bob throughout his illness and at his service. I will remember her for the Medicine Wheel in Mission she awoke and led for almost ten years now. I will remember the four directions.
I will remember the Chinese food lunches I would share with her and my friend Matilda when they came to town for Mary’s regular eye appointments. I will remember her crafty ways to “sneak a smoke” after those lunches all the while imparting a new lesson to me through her stories.
When Matilda called me with the news of Mary’s death, we talked about many things. I tried to remain stoic as one of Elder Mary’s teachings was that for four days after a person passes, there should be no tears, no mourning to allow the spirit to finish its business on the earth. Otherwise, we hold the spirit back from completing that business and travelling on.
Every time I travelled, whether by car or plane, I had to phone Matilda and let her know the exact schedule. Elder Mary needed this information as she would pray for my safety during that time.
I always carried her prayers with me. Now my prayers are for her final journey.
Today is only the third day since her death. On Wednesday, I will cry.
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May 7th, 2007 at 6:06:05 PM
That was very touching. I would imagine she would have like this post judging from the picture you painted with your words.
May 7th, 2007 at 10:58:36 PM
I thought it was “cry for three days and then let them go so that they can continue on their journey with nothing holding them back”. When someone like your Elder Mary Uslick leaves us, they leave so many teachings behind that they really never leave. My father left us three years ago but through all his teachings I still feel him so very close to me.
What a beautiful post, I hope you allow the healing process to continue on it’s path.
May 8th, 2007 at 12:54:15 PM
I’m sorry to hear about your and the world’s loss. Glad to know of her, that the world has gained so much by her being here.
May 11th, 2007 at 8:03:02 PM
Dear Larry
Thank you for this posting about Grandma Mary. I had the most wonderful opportunity to volunteer for Grandma Mary along side some wonderful women such as your friend Matilda. Grandma Mary was an awesome wonderful woman. She was and is one of my heros. She was a mother, a sister, a grandmother and a friend to me. I will always treasure the teachings and gift of love that she gave to me and my children.