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Herrin's Riverside Bed and Breakfast and White Bear Publishing Al writes often in his logbook, Agaliha, below. Read about the Cherokee world of Nature and the Spirits. |
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Welcome to the mysterious and beautiful world of the Cherokees! ![]() We are Frankie and Al Herrin. We would like to be your guides on a journey into the culture and history of our people, the Cherokees. As children growing up in the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, we heard the stories told by our Elders about "The Real People", the Cherokees of bygone times. Now, we are Elders and tell the stories to our children and grandchildren and, if you wish, to you. Our home is on the beautiful Illinois River near Tahlequah, the Capitol of the Cherokee
Nation. Our emblem, at the top of the page, symbolizes the mystic harmony between nature,
the spirit world and our lives. The printing around our emblem is in the Cherokee alphabet
invented by Sequoyah. In the Cherokee language,
AGALIHA (THE SUN IS SHINING) April 2, 2009 At dawn this
morning, I awoke, sat up in bed and looked down through our front
windows at the river, as is my daily custom.
Along the river bank, which forms the edge of our yard, were
seven herons—five great blue herons and two great white herons.
Great blue herons are common on our river but great white herons
are seldom seen. I woke
Frankie and showed her the unusual sight.
About that time, all the herons took flight across the river,
which was not visible from our vantage point.
We went downstairs, where we could see across the river, and were
rewarded by the sight of seven white herons along the far bank of the
river! We both agreed
that it was a sign from the spirits.
The white heron, known as tsquayi by the Cherokees, was a spirit
bird and symbol of peace to our ancient Cherokee ancestors.
The number seven was, and continues to be, of deep spiritual
significance to the Cherokees.
The white heron has played a significant role in my personal
growth in spiritual understanding, to the extent that my current
Cherokee name is Tsquayi.
As is usually the case with such signs, its significance was not
immediately apparent, but we hoped it related to continued improvement
in Frankie’s depression and success in our battle with her breast
cancer. At 9:30 a.m., I
drove Frankie to the hospital in Tahlequah for her daily radiation
treatment. In the waiting
room, we looked for our new friends, Viola and Paul, whom we had met a
few weeks ago when Frankie went in for her first radiation treatment.
Viola was receiving radiation treatments for breast cancer and
she and Frankie formed an immediate bond and we visited with them every
day as we went in for a treatment.
In the past few days, Viola had developed some problems and had
been admitted to the hospital for tests.
Yesterday, we had called and talked to her daughter in her
hospital room and talked briefly to Viola.
This morning, after Frankie’s treatment, the nurse told us that
Paul had called and requested that we be informed that Viola had died
during the night. Frankie
and I were both crushed by the news. Later in the day,
Frankie asked me the question that was already on my mind.
Was the sign of the seven white herons related to our friend’s
death and, if so, how was it compatible?
I couldn’t answer the question with any certainty.
I suspect that the sign had to do with Frankie and/or me and was
unrelated to Viola’s death.
Of one thing I am sure—the spirits are still playing a role in our
lives. Over the past two
years, I had begun to doubt my spiritual beliefs, but events of the past
few days, and particularly this morning’s sign, have given me renewed
hope. I will not be
surprised if tomorrow brings something else to crush hope, but I have
learned to treasure hope while I have it. April 19, 2009 The seven white herons were indeed a sign--a sign relating to the improvement in Frankie's condition. Since we saw the sign, the burn from the radiation to Frankie's skin has improved so that her treatments could resume and she will complete her treatments this week. In addition, I have observed a marked improvement in her depression. Also, I recently received some good news about my own health. Galieliga (Gah-lee-aye-lee-gah: I am happy/thankful). ( <o-<>===
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We would like for you to visit us often here at our Home Page. We will always have a Cherokee story for you. I hope you enjoy the following story. For Story, click here. For more writings by Al Herrin from White Bear Publishing, click here. Come and visit the mysterious and beautiful world of the Cherokees! For information on Herrin's Riverside Bed and Breakfast, click here. |
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