Desert Messenger

6 OPINION DESERT MESSENGER Quartzsite s FREE Community Paper Founded by Walt Akin October 1, 2004 P�������� �� P���� R��� P��������� C�. P.O. Box 3185 Quartzsite, AZ 85359 P�������� ����� � ����� 1st & 3rd Wednesday Sept. thru May with Special Summer Editions June, July & August EDITOR/PUBLISHER Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear CONTRIBUTING JOURNALIST Joanne Winer GUEST COLUMNIST Louise Rouse GUEST COLUMNIST Jedidiah Free GUEST COLUMNIST The late Rosalee O Wheeler GUEST COLUMNIST Violet Kiss CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Starr BearCat NAME PLATE LETTERING Paul Winer www.DesertMessenger.com www.MyQuartzsite.com E-mail: Editor@DesertMessenger.com Copyright 2013 www.DesertMessenger.com EDITORIAL By Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear "We journey in, we journey out, we inhale, we exhale." ~ Robert Owens Greygrass, Lakota storyteller, actor, &... It's been an extremely emotional week for many of us as Arizona mourns the loss of the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots. The day of their Memorial, I was called to fly to Washington and meet with some important folks regarding March's "The Grand Gathering." It was disappointing that I wouldn't be able to watch the memorial on TV. The deaths of those 19 firefighters were so tragic and heart wrenching. I was in tears as I found myself flying over the mountains near Yarnell. I haven't flown in almost 20 years and I began reflecting upon the last time I was up in those "friendly skies." July 17, 2013 I had flown out of South Dakota, the day after participating in Lakota ceremonies. (It wasn't planned that way, but the ceremony ran behind schedule, causing my abrupt departure.) The day after landing in Oregon, I returned to work. A Lakota brother helped me adjust to the strange duality between the spiritual and non-feeling corporate worlds, when he visited me at the newspaper I was working. I had been struggling with proofing a City Council agenda ad about some sidewalk improvements. When Robert came to the office, I complained, "Don't they know there are more important things in life than a sidewalk?" He smiled his broad smile and told me the Grandfathers put me in that place at that time, and to have faith that they knew exactly what they were doing. He talked about being grateful for every moment in life, even about that sidewalk. He reminded me to breath in and breath out; and shared his friend, Wavy Gravy's saying, "If you lose your sense of humor— it just isn't funny anymore". His presence and words were so comforting; I was able to work the rest Readership of free community papers is now higher than paid daily papers and continues to grow. And more than 70 percent of readers make their buying decisions from free paper advertising and editorial. Your free community paper, promoting connections at a local level – right under your nose. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Desert Messenger. LIKE US on Facebook.com/ DesertMessengerNews FOLLOW US on Twitter @QuartzsiteRain Proud to be a Quartzsite Licensed Business 928-916-4235 928-916-4235 www.DesertMessenger.com Email: Copyright 2013 Editor@DesertMessenger.com of the day in peace. Those wonderful memories came flooding back to me as I was flying above the Grand Canyon, making the rest of my flight more enjoyable. After landing at the airport, my smart phone began beeping with all the texts and Facebook updates while in "airplane mode." It was then that I learned that Robert had died in an auto accident the previous night. I set aside my emotions to participate in a 13-hour marathon meeting with the folks who needed my full attention. Death is not an easy process for us humans, but it happens, even to the best of us! Remembering to be in the moment, to breathe in and out, and to be grateful for the memories of our departed ones, can help us deal with our losses. Life changes around us. How we deal with those changes is our choice. I am so grateful to Quartzsite Fire Dept. Chief Hess and Captain Cushman for attending the Yarnell 19 Memorial, representing the community of Quartzsite. We are all connected in our collective pain of such a temendous loss. Next time you see a firefighter, stop and just say, "Thank you." Next time you see a dear friend, say how much you care. Look in the mirror and tell yourself, too! "You could Be Anywhere, Doing Anything, and You are Here Doing This, Thank You" ~ Robert Greygrass (thank you from me too!) LETTERS TO EDITOR POLICY Desert Messenger encourages letters from its readers. Letters should be no longer than 300 words, and may be edited for grammar, content and length. OPINIONS EXPRESSED HERE DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THOSE OF THE DESERT MESSENGER. We invite you to not only see a problem, but search for the solution to share with the community, keeping the bene�it of all in mind. Letters considered libelous, in poor taste, on a personal issue, mean spirited or dominated by Scripture quotes will not be published. Third party letters will not be accepted. To avoid confusion over people with common or similar names, writers must provide a full name and indicate the name they are known by. Writers must provide a full street address and phone number. Rvers can provide the location of park/BLM land, etc. Street addresses will not be published. Phone numbers are for veri�ication only and will not be printed. Mail letters to: Desert Messenger, P.O. Box 3185, Quartzsite, AZ 85359 or E-mail to: Editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235

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