09/29/2025
Come close, my little one,
rest your soft nose against mine.
Feel the warmth of my breath—
it is the song of the ancestors,
carried through me, now into you.
You are my cub,
born of earth, river, and sky,
wrapped in the circle of our people,
held in the strength of our clan.
Every heartbeat of mine
is a drum to guide your steps,
every pawprint I leave
is a path for you to follow.
Remember, child—
walk with kindness in your paws,
for the forest listens.
Carry respect in your heart,
for all beings are kin.
The salmon, the cedar, the eagle—
they are your teachers too.
I will protect you
with the fury of storm winds,
yet I will teach you
to be gentle as falling snow.
One day you will walk alone,
but never forget—
my love is the lodge around you,
my spirit the fire that will never fade.
So grow strong, little cub,
grow wise, grow true.
And always know,
as long as the rivers flow
and the mountains breathe,
you are forever
my heart.