Bill Belew has raised 2 bi-cultural kids, now 34 and 30. And he and his wife are now parenting a 3rd, Mia, who is 8.
“Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one.” – Grandmother Willow, Pocahontas
Sometimes in spirit 8 tons (Ed. inspiration) comes from the most unexpected places.
Of course, I like Disney. And I really like Disney princesses. I am a little girl. Don’t all little girls like princesses?
One of my favorite princesses is Pocahontas.
Grandmother Willow in Pocahontas
She’s a native American. I am a native American, too. I was born here. So, was my daddy and his daddy and his daddy and and and…
And maybe a long time ago, the first native Americans came from China. That’s possible.
Or they came over during the time of Peleg. But I am getting way off track and being way too smart for a little girl.
In the movie, Pocahontas talks to Grandmother Willow. And in this case, the tree talked back!
I know the expression, “If the walls could talk,” but what if trees could talk.
It seems that a long time ago the Indians would bend trees so they could be used as markers.
Trees Bent to Mark Trails
In that case the tree might say, “Ouch. Eeeww! Oh! I can’t go that way.”
Or maybe,
“He came from that a way and then went over that a way.”
Or maybe
“Gee, little bird. You’re not so little. You’d better lose weight.”
Or maybe
“Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one.”
If trees you knew could talk, what do you think they would say?
Talk to Bill and others about their experiences raising bi-cultural Japanese-American kids.
