Sheila L. Chingwa
Bio
Welcome to my world.
Welcome to my thoughts.
I am proud to be a Native American Elder born and raised in Northern Michigan. Thanks to my hard work I have a B.A. in Education and a Masters in Administration and Supervision in Education.
Stories (166)
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Little Miss
This morning, 7/26/2023, I woke to the familiar call of my bladder’s nudge to rise and take care of business. The warmth of my blankets held me hostage until the nudge turned into a scream. As I fling my face mask off, toss off the blanket, rise to a sitting position, I notice the time 10:25 AM on my bed side clock. In normal work life, this would have alarmed me but this morning, I have come to realize this odd sleeping pattern could become the norm. With a hoist to my feet, my head began to spin. No, I did not stay out all night partying, I was called to the bedside of an old friend. The melatonin I took at 4 AM caused my head to spin and yet my needs won so I made a fast drunk-like dash through the house.
By Sheila L. Chingwa2 years ago in Humans
Elder Abuse. Content Warning.
Parents love their children. Mothers, well, our love can be exploited easily. The love one has between child and mother sets up a level of vulnerability. We assume the level of love is equal in return. We look past the 'ouch' that our children inflict on us. We truly want to help even though we have to sacrifice something in order to provide or help. What our children do not understand is this, a hundred dollar bill can feed an elder for a few weeks. That means, they are willing to eat less or not pay a bill so you can have, whatever, when they hand over money.
By Sheila L. Chingwa3 years ago in Humans
Hammock Time
Thirty days have passed since my last day of work. I have traveled. I have visited with friends around a fire pit eating hot dogs and marshmallows. I have increased my exercise and have enjoyed nature more and more. When I was a teen, my feet were always on the move. My focus was always the Bear River that cuts through the town of Petoskey and into the Little Traverse Bay.
By Sheila L. Chingwa3 years ago in Wander
My Isabelle
I have been blessed by many elders in my life. Today, I am writing about my Isabelle. Isabelle Osawamick is an Annishinaabemowin Language Instructor with the Saginaw Chippewa Indians. At this very moment she is sleeping all tucked up nicely in her hotel bed with light shallow breaths echoing through the darkened room. This trip is her gift to me. She is taking me to her home. Wikwemikong, Manitoulin Island. I have read that this is the largest Anishinabek Community on Manitoulin Island. Her story, her roots, the land in which she is, I am being blessed to witness.
By Sheila L. Chingwa3 years ago in Humans
Super Retro-Sweater!
Fifty-two days remain at my current workplace. Notice has been placed and I face the world once again as a free agent. I take a moment to choose some comfort clothes to wear today instead of a stylish work outfit. Dress slacks for integrity sakes and a turtleneck stretched over my head. Even though the decision to leave was easy, I had some mad integral value for the work I was doing. Yes, decisions are tough to make but a nice warm sweater pulled over my shoulders will make day 52 all the better.
By Sheila L. Chingwa3 years ago in Families
The Death of the Photo Album
There is no other way for me to start this read but to express my grief, for the passing of grandma's coffee table photo album. No longer are the days when a set of photos can be removed from a box and pondered over. Digital media has changed the way society has taken and stored their pictures. I, myself, don't print out pictures to display anymore. Just in my generation alone has this shift occurred in history. The race of the photo album is in an endangered status.
By Sheila L. Chingwa3 years ago in Families
