Aaron & Thelma Sheche
Last photograph of Aaron Sheche with Thelma
Thelma is an outgoing and charming lady. Aaron was a quite and
serious man / artist. Most of the Aaron and Thelma fetishes
seen today were carved by Aaron. Thelma helped with the
detail work and polishing.
I always admired the Sheche arrowheads.
They seem to be maidens.
Thelma Sheche (in the 1950's) started a Zuni dance troupe that
traveled the world. Zuni women danced with beautiful pots
on their heads and to ancient chants.
Thelma is a mentor, always eager to lend a helping hand.
Thelma and Aaron are deeply religious and spiritual people
who believe in the old ways. It does not take long to understand
that to
Thelma and Aaron the old ways, are love and understanding and
compassion for all who share this world.
These values were passed to her and she passes them on to others.
These ideas are clearly seen in their art.
While Thelma and Aaron will no longer be carving they have
left a legacy that will be with us forever.
I recall an eagle that Aaron and Thelma gave me.
I was hiking along the cliffs of Cathedral Rock. It was a beautiful
day. I was climbing many hours and reached the top.
But it was now time to go.
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Cathedral Rock seen from the West
Trying to
return quickly
from a hike to the top of Cathedral Rock,
I walked down the steep decline along a line made by rain water.
I walked with my head down trying to avoid stepping
in a hole or on a cactus.
Suddenly, as I was about to take my last step I saw blue sky.
I saw blue sky looking down. I stopped in my tracks and slowly
raised by head up. I was at the
edge of a 500 foot cliff.
My next step was over the edge.
I rocked back and dropped to the ground. I could feel
the mountain shaking trying to throw me off.
I slowly crawled backwards until it was safe to stand.
I decided now was a good time to take a break.
Exhilarated to be alive, I checked to make sure I hadn't
lost anything. I searched through my pockets but
couldn't find Aaron's eagle carving that
I always carried.
Looking back on that day, it seems to me that in the
moment I found my self standing on the edge of
the world, both Aaron's Eagle
and I were set free.
Set free to start life's adventure
anew... but now
from a vantage point that never
existed
for me before.