Epilogue- All Return and Reforms

The wind gently pushed Clara forward as she watched the village from a distance. She could see the smoke that burned from the tepees, she could hear the voices of her people, and Clara smiled as life reclaimed the Crow people. Several months had passed distance the terrible bloodshed that changed Clara’s life once more. Many had died, and still the tribe feels empty compared to what it used to be. Clara touched the necklace that she wore around her neck. The smooth glass beads were soft to her skin, but their memory burned her thoughts. Along with Meredith, Laughing Coyote had died.

Clara’s eyes burned with the sting of tears. For many years she couldn’t understand her mother’s words, her explanations, but then everything connected. Her mother was right. The one with a tender heart turns the world. It is the heart that burns with a passion, cries for the broken heart, fights for the angry, and forgives the harm that is done in this world. To survive in such a world, one would need a heart like so. For life is an adventure with mountains to climb, rivers to swim, and skies to fly in. Fires will come and burn the forest, but new, stronger, healthier life blooms under the ashes.

Clara cradled her stomach and giggled to herself. She listened to her heart beat, and Clara knew she was alive.