Treaty Walks: Keitha Welcomed as Treaty Walks Celebrity

"I know you. I've seen you on Sheena's blog."

As I introduce Keitha to friends and family at the Sister Triangle Magazine Ladies Retreat, she smiles and takes her celebrity status in stride.

If there is a star of Treaty Walks, it would have to be Keitha Brass. I dedicated my walks and blogging to her on September 15th, 2011: 137 years after her Great Grandfather, Ben Pasqua, signed Treaty Four in 1874.

The very first person to meet Keitha was my buddy, Judy. After making the connection to Keitha and the blog, Judy said, "Do you know a Rudi Brass?"

Keith and I looked at each other. Rudi was Keitha's nephew. He passed away last November.

Judy offered her condolences and then told us of a young Rudi Brass who had had family sharing a hospital room with Judy's mom, Vivian. "He took such good care of Mom," said Judy. "He was continually jumping up to get her tea or a drink, asking if he could help. Dad called Rudi Mom's butler."

Later when Keitha met Vivian they had a long talk as Vivian filled in even more of the story of a kind hearted, smiling young man who went out of his way to make her feel valued and cared for as she recovered in the hospital. Both Judy and Vivian were so sorry to hear of Rudi's passing. http://treatywalks.blogspot.ca/2012/11/sunrise-for-rudi-brass.html

The theme for the weekend is "The Least of These" and as Keitha reads the scripture to our gathering on Sunday morning, I am humbled again by the kindness she and her family have shared with me and mine. I'm thinking of Vivian, laying in that hospital bed, nobody special, as far as Rudi knew, yet it seems the scripture Keitha is reading was already written on young Rudi's heart:

"'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' Then the King will reply,'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (Matthew 25:35-40)

I think back to Rudi's funeral, and I'd like to add these words of blessing for him. "'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world... for I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink...for I was sick and you looked after me...'" (Matthew 25:34 ff)

Photo by Judy Severson

Vivian Severson and Keitha Brass

Kenosee Lake, Photo by Marie Bouchard

Treaty Walks

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Keitha Welcomed as Treaty Walks Celebrity

No comments:

Post a Comment