One month later ...

Leah had her first birthday. Julia gave her daughter a birthday party, and her family attended. Leah got many nice surprises, and Julia made her birthday cake. It had a buttercream filling with chocolate icing and Winnie the Pooh characters. Leah loved Winnie the Pooh.

Julia wished her husband could have been there to share this day. This was the first of many birthdays he would miss. Julia did the best she could, as she had to be both mother and father to Leah.

She held on to her own faith in God and her determination to pull herself together. Finding happiness the best she could while taking care of Leah, she managed to keep hope alive. Julia and Leah had grown with a loving and supportive family surrounding them during this difficult time. At times, she felt her family members were almost too protective.

Julia's family knew she was strong. She was angry inside, and yet she was mostly sad, grieving and mourning for her husband. Her heart was broken. She was a wounded dove. The day after his passing, she had to decide on burial arrangements for him. Danny was from a Christian family. She knew his family did not want cremation, and Danny had not wished it before his death.

Three days after he passed, he had a closed-casket funeral due to his facial injuries. Many people were at the funeral, mainly family and friends from childhood and school. It was a day full of sadness for Julia's and Danny's families. Everyone was in shock at the taking of a young and energetic life, so full of hope and possibility.

It wasn't until later that Julia realized the extent of her husband's injuries. Julia learned the facts through Amelia after the funeral. She was glad that Danny was with his maker, rather than paralyzed or comatose for the rest of his life.

Julia's mother had kept Leah for a week afterward. Leah often stayed with Julia's parents. Julia rested at her parents' house during that time, mainly sleeping. The doctor said this was not unusual after a tragic event or loss. Her mother wouldn't let even family members bother her. She needed the rest, and her mother didn't want her to be disturbed.

Julia was raised in a Christian household. Although her grandparents still believed in Native American traditions, her parents had raised her to believe in one triune God. She went to church often before the birth of her child. She needed to go back again, both she and Leah. Danny had gone on occasion with her but not as regularly as she had.

During that last week in July, a man came into the state-patrol station to register for a new tag. He looked to be around Richard's age. He had been in Oklahoma a month, and his thirty days' grace period was over. He introduced himself as Dave. He said he'd moved from Delaware last month and needed a new tag. Richard said the Department of Transportation handled new tags but gave him the registration form to fill out and take to them.

Richard noticed he wore a T-shirt with a golden eagle and a white wolf on it. Curious, he asked him about it.

He said, "I just like nature, and this is my favorite shirt."

"My wife is part Cherokee. Those have significance in her culture," Richard said.

"Oh, really? I heard Oklahoma is Cherokee territory. I've always been fascinated by Native American history and rituals."

"Well, you are in the right place," Richard said. "This part of the county is rich with Native American culture."

"I will enjoy that," the man said.

"Why did you move here?" Richard asked.

"I'm looking for work. They are offering construction jobs at a higher wage than home," the man replied.

"Where's home?" asked Richard. "Wilmington, Delaware," the man said.

"That's a long way from here. Seems like you like fishing, too," said Richard.

"Yes. How did you know?" the man asked.

"I see a fishing pole in the back of your pickup truck," Richard said.

"Yeah, I love to fish and hunt," the man said.

"I haven't been fishing since my last child was born," Richard said.

"Really? When was that?" asked the man.

"Over a year ago," replied Richard.

"I have an extra fishing pole. You ought to come along with me sometime and go fishing at the stream," the man said.

"The best stream is up in the mountains," answered Richard. "I've heard that too. Bass is good this time of year," the man said.

"That would be awesome, but I don't have any fishing equipment," Richard said.

"I do, and an extra tent too. Just let me know if you want to go sometime," the man said.

Richard couldn't resist a good offer and gave the man his cell number. He said he had a wife and three children. The man told him to bring them along.

During that week, the man called to say the fish were really biting. Richard asked Amelia to go along with him. She was reluctant at first but finally gave in. That first weekend in August, they met him in the mountains. The water was still cold in the stream but a lot warmer than what it would be in the fall. He introduced himself as Dave to Amelia. She noticed he wasn't wearing a wedding band. She just had to know if he was married or involved. Amelia asked her husband to ask him if he was married or had a girlfriend.

On that Friday evening, Richard and his family met Dave near the camping area. The first thing Dave did was set up the two tents. He had a little heater that they could use for warmth if they needed it. Each tent had sleeping bags and extra blankets. The children had a soft quilt to sleep on with extra cushioning. The tents were insulated for warmth, even in the summer months.

The scenery was spectacular, with the stream not far from the camping area. Richard had built a fire with small logs and kindling. They would use the grill to cook dinner tonight. Amelia had brought hot dogs to roast on the grill and baked beans for dinner. She had also brought potato chips, coleslaw, and brownies for dessert. That's all her two older children ate — hot dogs and hamburgers. Amelia looked at the uncooked wieners in disgust. She knew she would have to get her children to start eating healthily early in life.

During dinner, the children were more interested in playing than in eating. They picked at their food and laughed when the other did something silly. Todd picked up his hot dog and made silly gestures with his face while Evelyn laughed with him. She picked up her hot dog and imitated an animal. The baby, Rose, drank her bottle in her mother's lap.

After dinner, Amelia cleaned up the dinner dishes while the men and children explored the area. Richard carried Rose, while Evelyn and Todd followed the men. Nearby, the stream was a beautiful setting for fishing in the morning. Amelia soon joined them at the stream and enjoyed the view. Beautiful and breathtaking, the mountaintops glimmered in the background as the sun was setting. A mist began to settle, and dusk was fast approaching. The children wanted to play on the rocks, but it was too dangerous. The currents were fast, and the stream was deep, although it looked shallow.

Amelia asked Dave if he was married or involved in a relationship. He said that he wasn't. Richard cleared his throat in embarrassment, as he knew his wife was being a matchmaker for Julia.

After a brisk walk around the stream, the group headed back to the camping area. The fire had died down from dinnertime. Only pieces of burned logs and twigs remained. The men gathered some paper and put it in the smoking ashes. Soon, a fire reappeared. The children wanted to roast marshmallows. The children got long twigs and put big marshmallows on them to roast on the open fire. The adults stayed and monitored them, making sure they didn't get too close to the fire.

This was Rose's first camping trip. She had fun watching her marshmallow caramelize on the outside. The adults sang songs and laughed as the group enjoyed the rest of the evening. Even though it was early August, the night was cool. They had to put on extra layers of clothing.

At bedtime, around ten o'clock, Amelia laid out the extra blankets and unrolled the sleeping bags. Richard helped her. The children got under their covers, while Amelia placed Rose with herself. Rose was still too little to sleep with the other children. Pretty soon, the family drifted off to dreamland. Richard was looking forward to the early morning fishing.

By six o'clock the next morning, Richard was up to start the day. He was excited, as it had been a long time since he last fished. He had done quite a lot of fishing in high school and with his father. It was one of his favorite sports.

As he stepped out of the tent, he smelled fresh coffee brewing. Dave was already up. He'd told the couple the night before that he was an early riser and that the early morning was the best time to fish, besides early evening.

Dave and Richard caught three small bass early that Saturday morning. Later that afternoon, they caught a few more bass. They would have a fish fry tonight.

They cleaned and gutted the fish to be fried for dinner. Amelia cooked baked potatoes, creamed corn, and butter beans on the grill. Ice cream was still frozen in the ice chest they'd brought.

After a hearty meal, the adults and children walked toward the stream. Richard carried Rose, while the other two children walked slowly behind the adults. The children and adults enjoyed another marshmallow roast that night.

By morning, the fire was completely out. Only ashes remained as evidence of last night's gathering. Amelia cooked breakfast this morning. She brewed a pot of coffee with cinnamon buns, sausage links, and eggs. The men decided that they had enough fishing on Saturday and would forego it this morning. Amelia cleaned up the dishes while the men took the children walking down the trail after breakfast.

When they returned, Richard and Dave helped her fold up sleeping bags and blankets in the tents. Then Dave started to take down the tents. He loaded up the fishing gear and equipment, taking them to his truck. This had been a perfect weekend with perfect weather. The days were sunny with clear skies. It was slightly chilly at night but still comfortable. They would be back soon.

Julia's Indian name, Jayce, meant "strong," and she was strong among her siblings. Julia was born on September 10, 1993. She would celebrate her twenty-first birthday this year. Her husband wouldn't be there to celebrate her birthday with her this time.

Julia was the second oldest. She had a younger brother and sister, still living at home with her parents. Allen was seventeen, and Sheila was fifteen. Julia and all her siblings were given Cherokee names as well as English names at birth. She was one-quarter Cherokee, as her maternal grandmother was full-blooded. She had the darker complexion, dark eyes, and dark brown hair. She liked to wear it long and loose. She favored her grandmother with an average height and build. Her maternal grandfather was of English origin.

Her older sister, Amelia, had dark blond hair, blue eyes, and fair skin, like her father. She was fairly tall, small built, and slim. Her Indian name, Ahyoka, meant "one who brings happiness," and she did bring happiness to others. She was the eldest and led the pack. Although she and her sister looked totally different in appearance, they were close as sisters. She wondered at times how they could be from the same parents, but blood tests revealed they were closely related.

Amelia was popular in school and made friends easily with her bubbly personality. She was a majorette in high school and twirled the baton proudly down the fields. That was where she met her future husband, Richard, as he was a star football player.

It seemed to Julia that her parents had a child every four years. Amelia was not quite four years older than she was. Amelia would celebrate her twenty-fifth birthday in early January. She had been out of her parents' house for a while when Julia moved out. Amelia had married and had three young children. Evelyn was nearly five, Todd was three, and Rose was now eighteen months old, just three months older than Leah. They were never given Indian names at birth. If they were, Julia didn't know of them.

Allen's Indian name was Ashwin, meaning "strong horse." But he was physically strong. As an infant, he dragged and pushed furniture across the floor. His parents had to stop him by preventing him from coming into the living room and den so often. Julia often kidded her brother when they were little, saying she didn't know he was a horse. He would just tell her to shut up. Allen was a big boy for his age, muscularly built and about six feet tall. He played varsity football his senior year in high school. Sheila's Indian name was Sequoia, which meant "redwood," a beautiful tree. She looked like Amelia — tall with a fair complexion and blondish hair and blue eyes. She was thin and stood about five eight in her sophomore year.

Julia's daughter, Leah, was born on July 27, 2013. She was just two days shy of turning eleven months when tragedy struck. Julia fought with giving Leah an Indian name at birth. Her Indian name, Hialeah, meant "beautiful meadow," and she was beautiful and prosperous as a green meadow. Babies were given names at birth to signify their gender, nature, totem animals, and the appearance or features of the baby. It was her heritage, and names were significant in her culture. They meant something, and she followed the tradition.

Leah was a mixture of Julia and her husband — medium complexion, brown hair, and light eyes. She had her father's great smile and Julia's oval- shaped face. Leah had her father's personality though. She could be both stubborn and persistent at the same time. At other times she was happy and carefree, the way Julia wanted her to stay forever.

Four months later ...

After her husband's passing, it took everything in Julia to continue on. If it hadn't been for her family and her baby girl, she would have taken her own life. The "depression" she experienced should have lasted longer than "the several months" after her husband's death. In fact, she still should have been suffering from bouts of depression and confusion. Within her, she sustained the strength to go on above all else. Julia did not want to be a burden on anyone. She never did. She had to remember to pull her strength deep inside her and keep her anxiety at bay every day, every hour, and every minute.

Julia was also levelheaded and showed strength through perseverance. She had stayed home with Leah when she was born. Danny had worked as a landscaper. He loved to be outdoors and loved his job. She blamed God for everything and for why she was in the state she was in now. She wondered why God had taken Danny at such a young age. Surely, he should have lived much longer to see his daughter grow up. Sadly, his daughter was just a young infant when her father died. She would never know him, and Julia realized she would never see her husband again either on earth.

On that tragic day, Julia had a meltdown emotionally. She had often wondered where she was emotionally. Her daughter kept her intact. Julia tried to put that terrible day out of her mind, but she couldn't. Amelia had helped Julia back into the wheelchair. "Julia, I have your purse. Are your keys in here?" Amelia asked.

"Yes," was all Julia could say. She was in pain, intensifying with every moment. She was devastated. The love of her life had been taken from her in one brief moment.

"Where is Leah now?" Amelia asked. "Hazel's,"

Julia replied.

"Okay, don't worry, honey. I will get you out of here," Amelia replied.

"Take me home, please!" exclaimed Julia. Amelia noticed her husband finishing his conversation with the doctor and the other patrol officers by then. He walked over to Amelia and Julia. "Are you going straight home now?" he asked.

"Yes, I am taking Julia. She doesn't need to be left alone tonight," Amelia replied.

"I agree," Richard replied.

"Here are her keys," Amelia stated. She took them out of Julia's purse for her and gave them to her husband.

"Where is your car parked? In the emergency parking lot around back?" asked Richard.

Julia nodded without saying a word.