Family members and friends dance to this song, which honors their loved one. Relatives and family members help gather the items to be given away. One gives to strangers, not simply hoping to make friends, but because it is the honorable thing to do. One gives to honor a relative, and this in turn honors that person in the eyes of the community. One gives when one seemingly has nothing to give.
Gift giving is very alive in the Native American heart.
When you attend that workshop you, in a sense, honor the presenter by attending her workshop and she says thank you by giving you a small gift. As you read Gifts from the Heart , think of it as being in the writers' house for the first time. In their house, they share intimately with you some of their happiest and most painful moments. You honor the writers by taking the book and using it in your small group. The story is the gift.