Papa, The other day I looked in the water and saw your face where I should be. I saw you on the sunshine kissing my mother. This morning I saw you where the light touched the long green grass. It was blowing, and I swear on the wind I heard our name. And that's when the tears filled my eyes- when I thought “our name”. A sound that means you and I. Our life and our love. When your children's tears dress the ground of the earth they have returned you to. I will see the sunshine. For I will have your name. Across worlds. And we will leave this world together. When you go I will be with you. When I go you’ll have never left me. Today they’ve taken me from you. But they cannot take our name. The essence that defines our hearts. When I’m lonely, I feel your strength lifting me. When I’m lonely, I try to remember the sound of your yawn. The shape of your eyes when you're tired. I wish it could be longer. I wish for more days with my father. That this beautiful life we’ve been given might be everlasting. But I’ve known eternity in the shape of your face and your smile. The way that it feels to have won your pride. But you’ve been proud of me each day of this life. There was never a game being played or a trial to be won. We have been put here to marvel at the beauty of each other. I sit in wonder of our love. Unique from any other. I look back at the people I’ve been with embarrassment. But you loved me even when I was a tadpole. For, I hope, you saw yourself in that boy's reflection off the water. I need to remember this dream you’ve given me. Treasure of all treasures. So I can be papa to your grandbaby. And soon three will be bound by Sherenté. Happy Fathers Day Sherenté Kuwamunush • #fathersday #papa #nativeamerican #indigenous #native #narragansett