Geronimo was the Chief of the Chiricahua Apaches. He is remembered for leading his tribe against white settlers in Arizona for more than ten years. The name Geronimo has its roots in Greek meaning sacred name or saint’s name —Jerome. You can also find references to Spanish and Latin, Hieronymous. In Mescalero-Chiricahua he was Goyathlay – “the one who yawns,” he became a medicine man. Other native Apache’s say the meaning is “intelligent, shrewd, clever.” It is said that the nickname came to him from the Mexican soldiers who cried in terror, “Ciudado! Watch out! Geronimo!” Perhaps the Mexicans were calling on Saint Jerome—the Apaches took it up as their battle cry and forever more he was Geronimo.
It is still common to hear the word Geronimo, as we jump from the airplane, start a very vertical ski run, or any activity that requires a burst of courage and adrenalin.
I played golf at Desert Mountain in Arizona this week and enjoyed the beautiful desert that surrounds the six challenging golf courses. We played the course that is named in honor of Geronimo. This weeks picture is of the statue that stands proudly behind the very difficult final hole on the Geronimo course. The club recognizes the Native American heritage and the Wild West with salutes to Cochise, Chiricahua, Outlaw, Renegade, and Apache. Although lush and green, my friends and I spent time among the many cactus varieties with an ever watchful eye for the rattlesnakes that are rumored to live in the desert.
“Our first teacher is our own heart” Cheyenne proverb. “Teach children that the Earth is our mother, what befalls the Earth befalls the children of the Earth.” Native American wisdom. A Cherokee Prayer,
“Oh Great Spirit
who made all races,
look kindly upon
the whole human family
And take away the
Arrogance and hatred
Which separates us
From our brothers.”
Eggs are a renewable resource, celebrate Easter in your own way.
Mike