I didn't mean to walk into an Indian shop in the foothills of northern California and talk to the owner. She is an Indian. Because of my own Indian ancestry in modoc and my love for Indian jewelry, I told her about the pain of losing my mother's Navajo silver belt. My mother wore it almost every day when she was born. When she went to another world, she left me her belt.

I remember when I was a child, I held my mother's waist and felt her warm body from the silver piece on my belt. Since her death, silver has brought me great comfort.

When I talked to an Indian woman, I felt that she sympathized with me. But when I finished the sad story of losing my belt, the inspiration she gave me was not what I expected. She gave me a new beginning and a deeper understanding of my mother.

She said, "Remember, the real gift is spiritual. Don't cry for something that won't cry for you. "

My mother is not a belt. My mother is reflected in me-a woman who took her place. My real legacy is the talent and strength she left me. I can't cry for those things that won't cry for me anymore. I want to cherish the perseverance and love left by a woman.