So How Do Joy and Sorrow Co-Mingle?

Throughout my travels, a single question has really persisted: how can such deep and full joy co-exist with such indescribable sorrow? This paradox remains a mystery to me as I again asked myself this question.

It was 70 degrees today. My hair was tightly french-braided, my skirt pink and airy and my smile huge. I feel that the arrival of spring is imminent and that brings me a lot of joy. Indeed, I felt such wonderful feelings of hope today.

By lunchtime, the sorrow that is Pine Ridge once again presented itself. One of the school principal's informed me that my aide's niece died today. Now my aide is such a sweet, helpful, decent guy. He already lost his grandmother (a huge deal in Lakota culture) and aunt this year. He also had his house broken into and got beat-up. This morning, he found out his niece died.

Later in the day, I found out we lost one of our high school freshman. Now, I am not certain it was my aide's niece, but it is tragic nonetheless. She was sixteen years old and pregnant. During the night, she had a seizure, which induced vomiting. She choked on her own bile and died.

Death and Pine Ridge Reservation have an intimate relationship that repulses me. How can it be a Heavenly day outside with children giggling in the hallways while children are having children and dying alone in the night? I just don't understand.

But you know what, I don't have to.