Builds the Fire

Ecuador - Seattle and Kooskia 713, originally uploaded by sulustumoses.

During our visit to Kooskia, my cousin Arrow took responsibility for building the bonfire, buying groceries, and providing for the needs of our students. Needless to say, his maturity and concern for our comfort impressed me greatly.

For brief moments, I caught glimpses of Arrow fufilling the ancient hunter/warrior role, but within a modern context. Centuries ago, people like him really would have gone out to catch food for the people and guard the community fire. He seemed to know this instinctually.

Of course, the irony is that today he showed a playful side through bringing potato chips instead of meat and building the fire with lighter fluid instead of traditional methods. Despite the obvious difference, Arrow seemed to channel a genuine concern for the people, much like the warriors of years past. I wonder how much he even knows this about himself. The old warrior spirit lives powerfully in him.