IN MEMORIUMThe devastation of losing a peer can be just as bad as losing a family member. In this section of the book, the author goes into detail on his accounts of friendship and fellowship of his past schoolmates who have past away. He describes a few close friends whom he was extremely close with throughout his endeavors at Holy Rosary. Beginning with how they were acquainted, the author describes one good memory and one bad memory. He then goes on to describe the life that they lived or were rumored to have lived. Some died at a young age, some at an old age. All in all, they were his peers, and although they had their differences they all shared a strong bond and camaraderie, knowing that they were all going through the same experiences. There was one particular boy that he mentioned. You would never guess, but he was the school bully! Omaha, once tagged as a runaway, was a boy with an extraordinary story. He picked a sunny, crisp fall day to make his getaway and as the sun fell, so did the temperatures. He was caught in an unexpected blizzard that night. As he tracked through the white out conditions, he came across an old abandoned car and climbed in the front seat to take cover. The following morning, a search party was sent out for Omaha. When he was found, he was rushed to Omaha, NE. That's where his feet were cut off due to severe frostbite, hence the name, Omaha. Upon surgery, he returned to Holy Rosary and from that day on he was carted everywhere in a little red wagon. Although he had no feet, everyone knew not to bother him. He was like an elephant and if anyone teased or tormented him, he never forgot. If you were one of the unlucky kids that did bother him, he would repay you with an unexpecting punch to the stomach and knock the wind out of anyone who dared. Mr. Giago never went into detail of how Omaha had lived out his life, but he does explain that he often checks the obituaries to see who was the next classmate to pass away. When he identifies a name listed, he is once again reminded of the dark secrets that will be kept for eternity with that classmate.
After talking a bit about your book in class, I would like to read it. It sounds interesting but I am kind of scared to read it. How old was this Omaha character?
ReplyDeleteAs I read this post I wonder why he may have ran away. Was it the hunger? or possibly the treatment. I know in the book I am reading some of the children ran away because of the food they had been given, sometimes containing worms.
ReplyDeleteJerilee,
ReplyDeleteI was emotionally overcome by Annie Smith's poem shared in the Youtube video link within your post. AS she goes on to tell about her uncle's death at a boarding school I am struck with sadness and yes, anger. The family does not seem to know for sure, but he may have died based on the punishment of eating soap due to him speaking in his Native language. Then, because his mother was afraid of what would happen to her other children and herself she did not permit her children to learn or speak in their Native tongue. This fear changed generations of Native children and their families. Omaha, from your description, did not have this fear and I wonder if that is why he ran away. He wanted to return to his family and maintain his cultural identity. To think that he would be forever, physically changed for running away adds to my sadness and anger.