Kokopelli

Winter continues to press hard and long this year as local snow-covered landscapes advertise pastoral Currier-and-Ives-type beauty day after day. Despite the crisp allure of the season, I’ll be ready when the first spring breezes finally challenge winter, inspiring hope and new life to touch and renew our frozen land.

Spring-like harbingers of regeneration are not only limited to nature.  The encouragement of a single life can also carry similar promise to change the soulful climate of those it encounters.  Such is the case with my blind friend, Kathy, who has been nominated as one of four contestants nationwide for the 2015 National Teacher of the Year.

A couple of weeks ago I gave Kathy a pendant to wear as a necklace, an artful rendering of a mythological figure named Kokopelli (according to traditional native American Indian lore).  It holds special meaning for me, as it belonged to my dearest childhood friend who passed away a year and a half ago. The figure is of a bent-over, dancing Indian flutist from ancient times, dating perhaps as far back as 3,000 years.  

Many myths have persisted to explain Kokopelli, some more emphasized than others.  All agree that he represents life and productivity - perhaps in regard to human fertility, or the maturation of crops, or to renewal in general. The music from Kokopelli's flute is said to represent the restoring breeze that changes winter to spring, ushering in hope, healing, and prosperity.  He is virile, joyful, and lighthearted.  His mysteries are those imbuing life itself.

Kokopelli’s attributes remind me my friend Kathy, who is currently 1,800 miles from home on business associated with her title as Indiana State Teacher of the Year.  Tonight she was invited to appear on NBC television in this faraway big city, and text-messaged me to say she wore her Kokopelli pendant!  I was glad to hear she felt the unexpected, live broadcast went well.  This does not surprise me, for like Kokopelli, her spring breeze is always blowing, always touching fellow companions with hope on the journey we call life.