Today's post is a tribute to a lovely man I knew decades ago when I was a young woman. Many years ago I worked at a major university which was trying to attract minority students to achieve more diversity in its graduate programs. I was a lowly administrative assistant in the Department of Graduate Studies, and my duties were to support three Associate Deans who represented three minority groups. My bosses were all totally inspiring. They were an African-American woman, a Chicano man, and a Native American man. The man pictured above became my particular mentor, and I hope I can say, friend. His name was Hartman Lomawaima, a brilliant man with a PhD in Education from Stanford (undergrad degree from Harvard!), who was also a member of the Bear Clan, in the Hopi village of Sipaulovi, Second Mesa, Arizona.
Hartman used to regale us with stories of his family. We rarely left the office at lunchtime, and several of us spent the time playing backgammon together. I was a novice, but after playing with Hartman for several months, I got pretty good at it. We would often share stories of our lives while we sat and played. He had a grandfather whom he adored who was a renowned silversmith in Arizona. I still have a few pieces of his beautiful work that I was able to purchase.
One of my favorite stories that Harman shared with us was how his family got their surname "Lomawaima". In the time of his ancestors, the Hopi people experienced a terrible drought. The crops failed, the animals died and the people suffered. Hartman's ancestor decided to make a spiritual journey that lasted many many days. After walking alone for a long time, meditating on his people's troubles, he finally turned for home. As he walked home to his village, the rains began and the drought was relieved and the people and their land prospered again. His ancestor was given the name Lomawaima, which Hartman told us means "Good Walking".
While I was employed in this position, I became pregnant with my daughter Sara. I worked throughout the pregnancy, only going on leave a week or so before her birth. Sara was born at the university hospital that was associated with the institution where I worked. She was born in the early afternoon, and a few hours later (after my husband had gone home to be with our son), my very first visitor was my boss, my friend, Hartman Lomawaima. He took the time out of his day to walk over to the hospital to offer his respects. I remember him sitting at the foot of my bed smiling, no, Beaming at me. He barely spoke, just sat and smiled at me, with the expression much as he has in the photo at the top of my post. I was a bit dazed from the birthing experience, so I didn't have much to contribute, so we just sat together smiling at one another. It was actually kind of a spiritual experience, just having him sit with me after all the excitement and hubbub and joy of my daughter's birth. I could feel his silent good wishes and blessings for me and my daughter so strongly. I won't ever forget it.
He was a great listener, a kind person, and a wonderful inspiration to me. He was a fine man who anyone would be wise to emulate. In later years he went on to become the first Native American Director of the Arizona State Museum. Hartman dedicated his life to fostering educational causes such as serving on the Boards of the Hopi Education Endowment Fund; National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian; American Association of Museums; and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
I recently learned that he passed away in 2008, and all the sweet memories of this lovely man came back to me. If I had half his kindness, his inner peace, his empathy--I would be a finer person.
That day we sat together silently occurred exactly 40 years ago today. Happy birthday Sara.
A beautiful tribute to someone you remember with such fond memories. It sounds like he was an exceptional person.
Posted by: Donna | May 12, 2020 at 05:35 AM
What a touching story. I have tears in my eyes. Happy Birthday. Sara. (She types thru blurry vision).
Posted by: Margaret | May 12, 2020 at 05:37 AM
A beautiful and meaningful tale in many respects. There are people who lead and teach us just by being present in our lives. What a joy to know even one of them.
Posted by: Robby H. | May 12, 2020 at 05:49 AM
He came into your life at an important time for you, and he made a difference. Lovely memories for you.
Posted by: Nann | May 12, 2020 at 06:08 AM
How fortunate to have such an exceptional person in your life. A good reminder to recall for all of us, that person who afforded us their wisdom, their way, their guidance, perhaps their peace. And Happy Birthday to Sara. I like to recall that my children's birth dates were also BIG for me, never wanting to forget how this precious bundle came and exploded my life, my self in such a positive way.
Posted by: Stephani in N. TX | May 12, 2020 at 06:42 AM
What a wonderful post. Thank you for sharing this story with us and Happy Birthday to your daughter. I have a Sara too and she has a May Birthday a little later this month. Enjoy the day!
Mary
Posted by: Mary Kastner | May 12, 2020 at 06:55 AM
Beautiful post, Nicole.
Posted by: T Holzer | May 12, 2020 at 07:05 AM
So wonderful. I took two classes in college from Hartman Lomawaima’s wife, Dr. Tsianina Lomawaima, and remember her as a beautiful, joy-filled woman who taught me a lot about the ongoing relationship between the USA and Native Americans. Thanks for sharing this memory! It gave me a happy feeling
Long time quilt blog reader, first time commenter 💖
Posted by: Kate | May 12, 2020 at 07:11 AM
Thank you for sharing your friend & mentor's story. How lucky you are to have known him. What a wonderful beginning for your life as Sara's mother, too. Birthday wishes to her & to you! Stay well!
Posted by: Jan | May 12, 2020 at 08:25 AM
If only we could all make such an impact on other people’s lives. What a gift he gave you.
Posted by: Jean Thut | May 12, 2020 at 08:59 AM
beautiful. i hope his family sees this.
Posted by: Darlynn Venne | May 12, 2020 at 09:07 AM
beautiful.
Posted by: Ina | May 12, 2020 at 09:10 AM
Beautiful. We should all be grateful for the angels that pass through our lives and touch us with their kindness and empathy. cherish this memory.
Posted by: Mona K | May 12, 2020 at 09:23 AM
Lovely story and memory!
Posted by: Jackie Hicks | May 12, 2020 at 10:15 AM
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story and this amazing person.
Posted by: Debbie R. | May 12, 2020 at 10:34 AM
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful tribute & lovely memory from the birth of your daughter ~ birthday wishes to both of you!
Posted by: Penny Holliday | May 12, 2020 at 02:15 PM
What an awesome post, Nicole! And happy birthday, Sara! Our oldest son was 40 last month.
Posted by: Joan S | May 12, 2020 at 04:25 PM
Thank you for sharing this inspiring story. Happy birthday to your daughter
Posted by: Jill | May 12, 2020 at 06:33 PM
Thank you for such an inspiring post! The picture of the bracelet reminds me that we can take inspiration from everything for quilt blocks/motifs...what a beautiful block that would be!
Posted by: KV | May 13, 2020 at 12:41 PM
Beautiful.
Posted by: Diane | May 13, 2020 at 02:45 PM
What a wonderful tribute to an inspiring man and what a lovely way to remember your daughter’s birthday
Posted by: Jennifer in Indy | May 16, 2020 at 06:01 AM