“and so it is with God, this is the place where faith comes in. Knowing something is right but not knowing just how it fits together or even maybe even why.” …from The Writings of HANCOCK , Error & Faith
There is a sacred rite among Native American people to have a member of the tribe record their history. This was someone who documented, usually in pictorial form on an animal skin, significant events of the tribe.
In some cases these skins were used as the wrapping for objects used in religious ceremonies into a sacred bundle that was passed down through generations.
The Sacred Rite Of My Tribe’s Sacred Bundle
In March of 2000, my father, Paul E. Hancock moved to heaven. For us left behind, it was too soon. Seventy is not old in today’s world, but there are forces in this realm that conspire. As a result, good people, like my dad grow weary of the fight.
In this case, it was a form of cancer. One that was hard to diagnose and even more difficult to treat. He left behind a sturdy family that has continued without him, but not without his wisdom, character, work ethic and faith as guides.
Just before Daddy died, he handed to me his version of our family’s sacred bundle. It contained all of the ancestry research he had painstakingly gathered, as well as his writings. I compiled his writings into a book.
Daddy’s faith, like many of his generation, was not worn on his sleeve. It was rather a personal and mostly private faith. He endeavored to live his faith through his daily deeds. Yet he wrote about it privately sharing those writings with a select few.
His writings told of his relationship with Jesus Christ, his constant journey of discovery and what that relationship should look like to others. In this sense, it was a sacred rite.
In later years I had the sense that he struggled. I suspect that had more to do with his failing health than any inner doubts. The Writings of HANCOCK, is available on-line.
Forward
In November 1999 during one of Dad’s good days and when hope was still alive that he would be with us a while longer, Dad talked about the book he wanted to write. He had more events, things, and people he wanted to write about and compile. At some point later, when Dad knew he was on his way to the other side, he began to tie up as many loose ends as best he could. One was turning over a navy blue vinyl portfolio that contained his writings. I knew Dad did some writing, but was not aware of how much he had written over the years until he had passed and final preparations were being made for his “going home” service.
No one can finish the book Dad wanted to write, but contained in this volume is a compilation of those things he did write. Originally, it was in loose-leaf form and only given to immediate family. This was for two reasons: First, because at the time we thought other pieces of his written wisdom might still surface. Second had to do with my response to his words as I compiled them, as I read through his thoughts, I felt a need to write those responses down, a sort of journal as I processed Dad’s departure from us into God’s presence. Since the first distribution was only a few weeks after Dad’s passing, I wanted to leave room for other immediate family to do the same, to respond personally to what Dad wrote. In any case, at that time, it was too soon for me to say, “It is finished.”
More to Come – A Sacred Rite
There is much more to the sacred bundle than these writings. Work moves forward in this area, albeit at a snails pace. I have two more books in process.
In process as well is a workbook, a guide of sorts, to share with those of you who have a desire to assemble your own sacred bundle. Let me know your interest in this.
The point of the sacred bundle is:
- to record the past, not live in it;
- preserve the stories of the past so that future generations can benefit from the wisdom of those who have gone before. This in itself is a sacred rite.
I know that daddy would be pleased that some are reading his words. More than that, he would be pleased to know that his faith in Jesus Christ is being shared. This truth means that daddy is not only in my past, as precious as that is, but he is in my future.
Howdy Nancy, I’m glad you’re Doing This, Sis. The times I was up there with you Guys when your Dad was there, I enjoyed meeting him and watching him interact, with with a somewhat quiet, kind Grace. Exactly like D. and me-“BRACKKK!” I look forward to “being around” your Dad and is all Seeing each other again at the Trumpet, Though he & my Folks Will Get to Get Up 1/240 millionth of a second before us- the time for a photon to enter the pupil and reflect back off the cornea visible to one standing around doing nothing (D.?) as “a twinkling of an eye.”
I’m still in Guthrie for a few more weeks. I FINALLY received that LM WC settlement, and will be getting “fixed”, with the funds to head over to Algeria by mid-January, if not before, and to Bioko Island for RF/Nigeria with the by then new Sen. Charles O. & Hyacinth H. It’s not as big of a production as RF/A, but it’s plenty big.
I’m finding “new” buildings here by your Architect, including a nice, tight Home… half the size of your 2nd Floor. Just think, D. wouldn’t wander around lost any longer… My Ranch Truck was stolen!
But with the LM settlement, I expect to have some new wheels, so I’ll call & see if Y’all are free, and D. off parole before I head up. (Wouldn’t want him to inadvertently violate his parole with my presence.) Y’all take care. Miss you Guys. Lord Bless!
glad to know you are following and enjoying the content – more to come