I too, am a woman of my past. A past I cannot and should not escape. I was born to be a French traiteuse -- part spiritual visionary and sometimes a healer of the heart, but never a sorcerer, not believing in them. My ways are those of the old ones and the only things I know well, are those of long ago. I knew them even as a child.
All in a dream, the old man would fill my head with gibberish about my destiny as a traiteuse, as he whispered in Cadien -- "Many believe in them, many do not. They are the children of the long forgotten ones. I am one and so are you. Our traditions say that my knowledge can only be passed down from me to a younger person in the family. That person must be of the opposite sex. I learned it from Grandmere Julienne Marie Babin. You shall learn it from me. Someday, you will pass it on to a young man in the family who is suitable for this gift."
"I will instruct you how alligator grease relieves asthma, a buried potato cures warts, about the different kinds of wild teas, how to brew home-made cough syrup, how cactus cures sugar, and so much more. However, you must always remember that it is your prayers that contain the real power -- for they whisper in the very busy ears of God. It is He and He alone who can heal all that ails man."
"Someday you will travel to far away places and you will encounter many of our own kind. The may not be Cajun, however, do not be deceived. They might be old, young, rich or poor; they may be of other races. Never-the-less, you will know them when you see them and they will instantly recognize you, when they look back into your eyes. You have one very important job. It is your purpose and duty to use your gifts to restore to them what has been denied to them by others. Do not fail!"
Check out today's submission to Helium.com with the short family story handed down for generations, part Cajun French and part Wyandot at:
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