 | ||||
| ||||
| ||||
Life was precious to Garrett Joe, he was aware that there was a better life and tried hard to achieve it. Garrett won a full scholarship to New Mexico Tech, with an essay he wrote: Giving Up Violence For Peace. A role model, his dreams were of PEACE and making life better for others. One of his goals was to build a skate park for children to meet in. He knew that acquiring a good education ensures that Native Americans can have their own engineers, electricians, counselors etc. Garrett's dreams ended when he was murdered on June 6, 2008. His father Anson Joe (Apache), is deceased & his mother Bernice Etsitty (Navajo) is a School Counselor in the Navajo Nation. This page is dedicated to Garrett Joe, his voice echoes out through that night. Unarmed, he knew his future was bleak. With tears running down his cheeks, he saw the tears of so many sad faces. Only a brave one so persecuted could find peace at such a time. Before Garrett Joe went through that glorious light, he shared his love for his family and one of his last thoughts with me: Grief for the youth that have lost hope. In answer to the question: Can we ever live in peace with others? The time is at hand when all that lives & grows on earth will be good & strong. It is time, for we are all are brothers & sisters, to join hands in love & peace. Many Native American youth of today have lost hope and feel as though their lives are without value and no one cares anymore. Children as young as 10 are committing suicide at an alarming rate. It is not good to be alone, talk to your friend, school counselor, teacher, doctor - anyone. Please just make that cry for help. Return to Grandfathers Path and He will give you guidance and wisdom. Believe in yourself - Grandfather has a great plan for you. Anyone that is about to end their life with suicide needs to be aware that maybe you are the very one that can make changes in this world of prejudice & injustice. This web site was created to make a change and positive difference in the lives of others. Many problems can be overcome by realizing that there is always someone worse off than ourselves...and reaching out for help. Thanks to all that united to light a candle in Garrett Joe's memory. The beautiful song playing is BELIEVE written & performed by Michael Bucher. Let's believe in and pray for our youth to get on the Red Road, embrace our heritage & be the proud people we once were. Look up and live, you're not alone. In memory of Garrett Joe, who found comfort in the presence of the Creator. He was never alone and will never die.
A Role Model
Life's Garden
Are you confused about your life and purpose
befuddled over here and where ?
Are you being planted and transplanted
until your heart is filled with despair ?
It really matters not the how or who
Important is you grow as you were planted.
You are here, you have a purpose
go that extra mile in nurturing of others
Life is all confusion look within yourself
all is darkness without a guiding light.
The garden thrives on love and morning dew
our Creator planted you with great care.
Greet the dawn always with a smile
each day with a grateful forgiving heart
The flowers seem brighter the walk smoother
when you know that you're not alone.
© Falling Light
Innocent Blood
Endless tears echo through time
Sorrow reins supreme
Secrets of life and blood
Filter into our Mother Earth
How long must injustice visit
Destroying all of creation
What scarred morsel of land
Will become my shallow grave
Must goodness always drown?
While evil continue to flourish
Hands of evil will have their day
As his voice commands, all be still
Our feeble cries go unheard to mankind
Waves of tears are tenderly gathered
His watchful eyes behold our sufferings
We are washed in His innocent blood
© Falling Light
His Sacred Creation
Come my children and warm yourselves by my fires as I tell you a story such as your own
I, Falling Light have walked in your moccasins Grandfather speaks of hope and of life if we but listen
Mire clung to my spirit panting for release of my soul dark shadows of death clawing at my aching body over & over alone in anguish I wept & prayed
Yes, I walked where you are now with face drawn hollow eyes showing no hope & devoid of life
with spirit broken and weary shame filled heart I too trod the black pathway of many terrors
Soared high, covered with lies & foolishness lain deep in shame with uncaring friends
brought to a path of eternal spiritual darkness longing for thoughless selfish sweet release
You are not alone, many such as you & I travel this daily pathway that is called life
All that I am, I bring praise to our Creator for I am not my own but His Sacred Creation
Fiery trials purify our spirit as we grow mere words can never convey the depth
of despair & desolation my feet have known How do I know there is always hope to live
You must believe in yourself having worth above all return to spiritual teachings
BELIEVE as a child with purest of love
© Falling Light
Copyright © 2006 - 2012 by Linda Randles
http://www.RandlesStation.com/
Making A Difference: United National Indian Tribal Youth Inc.
Giving Up Violence For Peace Essay Written by Garrett Joe
Believe, by Michael Bucher
This song is copyright and may only be used with permission
With deep gratitude and love, Bernice Etsitty and I thank our treasured friend Michael Bucher for allowing us the privilege of sharing the song Believe with you. Michael Bucher has been working very hard with our Native American youth for suicide prevention and intervention. Michael Bucher is also working with two other people on a FaceBook page, a non profit for the kids and a blog page for the youth to go to when they feel the need. He will actually be looking for their help in constructing the web site, including them right from the start. Michael works with high school kids all the way up to speaking & performing at seminars and conferences across the country. In his words, "We are the elders who must do what we can to protect our kids. My Grandmother would have done it, you would do it and I will do no less."
He is Chairman and Co-founder of The You Are Not Alone Network (YANAN) a Native American teen suicide prevention website. Michael Bucher is an awesome singer, songwriter and musician. Michael Bucher has dedicated his CD Believe to the children throughout Indian country who are battling their struggle with suicide. A rate of suicide that is 70% higher than any other race in the country in ages 18 and under.
Visit Michael Bucher's website here and support him in his endeavors.
You're Not Alone is a song that goes right to the heart. Mike, writes and sings with great feeling!
Beloved friend Bernice Etsitty, mother of Garrett Joe appears in this video. She is being hugged by Michael Bucher.
I have been so blessed by these precious friends to know them is to love them!
