Linda Diane Taylor - Professional Artist

Grandmother taught me that we hold the memories of "All My Relations'" in the cells of our body. She contended that not only did our we inherit skin and eye colour or diseases but we also inherited memory from All My Relations.

Grandmother suggested that each one of us was at a time, a rock, a plant, a standing person, a bird, a fourlegged creature, a star beings, and even a being from another world.  When we say "we are all connected," she believed we were connected at a deep cellular level through genetic memory.

She also contented that we brought memory forward from our ancestors. In some native circles it is believed everything we do influences the next seven generations and the acts of seven generations before us influences us today. Grandmother did not put a number to it. Everything we do, will have a never ending influence. 

To Grandmother  there was no time except to make sure we got to our appointments.  She proposed what we did in the future also has an influence on us today.

Grandmother walked gently and constantly reminded me to be grateful for all my relations. "They are all part of you". 

In my daily routine I give thanks to All My Relations.

Creator, Great Spirit, Gaia, God, Goddess, Higher Self as I understand I come to you to give thanks to all my relations and for the knowledge we are all connected. 

I am truly grateful for another day of life.

I give thanks to Great Earth. Without her I would have not life. I pray I show her respect today.

I give thanks to air and sky and the beings of the sky, the cloud people and the thunder beings.

I give thanks for the sun that gives such radiant light and warmth.

I give thanks to the moon, the ruler of tides and seasons and for showing me my darkness in the light of the night.

I give thanks to the rock people, the great mountains and the tiny stones. I especially give thanks to the pigments you share with me. I give thanks to the standing tree people, providers of shade, fuel, clean air, paper and memories of the past.

I give thanks to the plant people for giving me nourishment and medicines.

I give thanks to the ones that creep, crawl, slither and sometimes fly. The spider that shows her web, the ants that shows community and the ladybug who reminds me to trust and be delighted. I am really grateful the black widow spider just watched me as I watched it. I give thanks to the dragonfly that has shown me how difficult it is to get a good photo. I give thanks to the honey bee not only for providing sweetness but for jumping right out at me to remind me of my hidden gifts.

I give thanks for the four legged. The herd animals that provide many with food, please forgive me for my indulgence of the past. I thank the deer for reminding me of my connection to my grandfather. I thank the many bears that show me medicines. I thank the wild horses I see in the Nemiah Valley that remind me of freedom.

I give thanks to all the winged ones, especially the hummingbird who remind me who I am, the raven for showing me the magic, and to the quails running along my path on my morning walk. I give thanks for the bluebirds singing in the trees.

I give thanks to the ones that swim, to the Salmon I had for dinner last night. Thank you.

I give thanks to the great star nations and the worlds and dimensions that I have no conscious knowledge of. Thank you for showing me a little of your worlds.

I give thanks for all the two legged, from all nations. Thank you for sharing your culture, you language and your art. I thank the sweet lady who helped me to learn a few more Spanish words today.

I give thanks to my mother for giving me life. I am grateful for my precious daughters and the constant gifts they bestow upon me. I give thanks  and all my sisters and my brothers.  I give thanks to my son in law and my beautiful grandsons. 
 
I give thanks to my coworkers and the patients that allow me to share the precious moment of a baby's birth. 

I give thanks to my teachers, the many wonderful teachers who show up everyday to remind me of the wonder of this world.

I give thanks for the field workers that are picking the vegetables and strawberries today.

I give thanks to those that have passed onto the blue road especially my ancestors and my dear friends Denny, David and Nancy. Thank you for confirming there is no death.

I give thanks to my agent who makes sure I get a paycheck.

I give special thanks to CROW today - for putting a very broad smile on my face.  And showing me how to finally go beyond my mind and be who I am.  

To any I may have forgotten this day forgive me.  

Apologies for not always understanding, respecting and loving my relations.
I send Love to you all

Your humble child. Linda