Reader comment: Adeline Spotted Elk shares thoughts on Fort Robinson Outbreak Spiritual Run

Sometimes, a reader says something I could never put into words because I never shared a similar experience, like the loss of a son. I’ll let you, the reader, soak up the words from Adeline Spotted Elk about the Fort Robinson Outbreak Spiritual Run, that took place Jan. 8-14, 2010. Here’s what Spotted Elk has to say about the power of the run:

Jodi,

I don’t know if you remember me but I traveled with the Ft. Robinson Run to Prairie Winds. I was on different business in Chadron but I joined up with the Run when the runners broke out of the barracks. It is always an experience I treasure as I participate on the Run every year since my son first ran in 1999. He journeyed home to be with our Creator January 1, 2003 at 16 years old and he was signed up for the Run again the same year. I feel like I have to share something with the participants who were on the Run. I was all prepared to speak words of encouragement to the runners at the community center in Crawford but as I walked into the building, the spiritual energy that was present was so overpowering that I was totally overwhelmed. Just for the very short briefest moment in time, I caught a glimpse of my son and other runners that have traveled to the other world which is truly our real home. I also saw other people whom I did not recognize but who were probably our ancestors and I just sat down . It took me a while to process what just took place and I am still trying to make sense of it or maybe the experience was intended for me only.

I really believe in the Run because when the runners were in Rapid City in 1999, I called my son and he gave me very specific instructions not to get in from of the staff at any time when I go wait for him. I teased him and I told him if he wanted me to wait in the middle of a field somewhere and he got agitated with me and he told me not to get funny as it was serious business. So, my cousin, Marie Sanchez, and I went to go wait for them in Ashland at the old sawmill which is out of Ashland by the bridge. We made sure that we were way off the highway and we could hear them when they started to run through the town, they were all hollaring. We could feel the power of the staff and the ground started trembling and moving, they sounded like a whole herd of buffalo running. My cousin and I were holding onto each other because we felt like we were about to fall to the ground.

After the Run, my son wanted to hate the whiteman for what they did to our ancestors. I told him not to do that and to let the Creator do his job as he knows all that happens. I also told him that his job is to focus and stay focused on his own separate, individual journey and that emotions such as hate will only block and stand in the way of his emotional and spiritual growth.

Today, I thank the Creator for allowing me to be the mother of such a sweet son who completed his “Circle of Life” too soon and too fast. The Ft. Robinson Run was a big part of his life and it probably still is. I do not like to use the past tense when I speak of my son, he is still my son. He only changed worlds

I was unsure if I wanted to go on the Run this year but the night before I dreamed all night of my son, he was teasing me and at the end of my dream he told me to look at an old lady’s moccasins. They were all torn up and in pitiful shape and when I woke up, I knew I was traveling to Nebraska.

Thanks for your participation and sincere interest,

Adeline Spotted Elk