APRIL 2020
On April 2, 2020, I texted Ahote and Tuwa at Hopi to see how they were holding up during the COVID-19 crisis. They responded and told me they were both safe and considered leaving their village and temporarily relocating to the lower fields during the pandemic. They said a lot of Hopi were sick, and a lot of the elderly were dying. Because only about 20,000 Hopi were left in the world, some estimated a lot less, this wasn’t reassuring. I told them I thought that was an excellent idea. Tuwa then responded with a message, “It’s time for you to do your prayers!” (Hopi Relief | Hopi Education Endowment | The Hopi Foundation )
I had not mentioned my plans to perform a new set of prayers to either of them, but her message prompted me to act. I performed my 30-minute prayer that night. As I finished my prayer, I imagined ripples or waves of positive, healing energy starting at my feet and encircling the entire globe.
On April 7, 2020, I sent out the following message that I had found online to my friends:
The virus is teaching us:
- We are undeniably interconnected.
- Humanity is fragile. We need each other more than we think.
- We are not above nature, no matter who we are.
- Crisis and chaos promote unity and balance.
- Humanity and nature have temporarily lost their synergy.
- Human beings are reaching a higher level of emergence as a result.
- The journey of the spirit will continue as life on this planet or elsewhere. It’s all in divine order.
Ricardo lived in an apartment near his job, 30 minutes from the house, and we only saw each other on weekends. I spent the weekdays alone with nothing to do but chores around the house. There was a real purpose for my staying at the house, but it wasn’t exciting. There weren’t any other options. At times, I felt like I was in prison but I was grateful that I had big yard to walk in. The grounds were beautiful and magical. The natural surroundings sharply contrasted with what I had grown used to in Phoenix. Some evenings, a thick fog would roll in, and I couldn’t see beyond the end of the deck. Those nights were incredibly eerie and a bit scary, but I just stayed in my bedroom watching TV or spending time online. Eventually, we bought surveillance cameras to put around the outside of the house to give me a better view at night.
My sister and I spent much time texting each other on the phone. Even though she had been in and out of the hospital, she still was able to avoid getting COVID.
I was desperate for companionship; I became excited whenever wildlife paid a visit.
On April 12, 2020, while helping Ricardo in the yard, a Bald Eagle flew directly over the property. “If eagle has appeared, it bestows freedom and courage to look ahead. The eagle is symbolic of the importance of honesty and truthful principles. Summon the eagle when you are about to embark on a challenge, a massive life change, or a creative endeavor. “ – Source
Ricardo and I worked our asses off in the yard almost every weekend in April. At one point, however, we decided it was just too much for two people. That’s when we began looking into a tree service to come and remove a few ancient trees.
After contacting three companies, we finally decided on one and arranged for the work to begin on April 22, 2020. They worked extremely hard over the next three days, removing a 70-year-old, 80-ft Monterrey Pine that had already started to die. They finished on Friday, April 24, 2020, and shortly after they left, an Osprey appeared and circled directly over the house.
The Osprey is a majestic Bird of Prey. An adept hunter of the seas, it has come to symbolize different things. The Osprey symbolizes true power and mastery over the sea, air, and land. It is a true hunter with speed, agility, energy, and precision. It symbolizes keen vision, seeing its prey clearly and not being blinded by the sun as it dives towards its target. These are the words most associated with such a bird: Flight, Power, Love of the Sun, Precision, Great Vision, Adept at Sea, Hunter, and Sharpness.
As a symbol, the Osprey depicts majesty and power. It has control over its fate. It is a very powerful figure, large, and a top predator. While it is powerful, it is not violently so. It is majestic and serene to view. It is even a symbol of royalty, as it is confident in its stature and capacity.
I patiently waited for a sign to perform my second prayer.