Today, I received a Tiger’s eye necklace handmade by an authentic Native American.

I came across this gentlemen for he ran out of gas on a major Texas highway and I stopped to help him.

At first I thought he was Spanish and it was one of the few times since being in Texas that I did not practice my Spanish speaking skills which I am becoming fluent in slowly but surely at an unrelentess pace.

Much like the Lone Ranger’s friend Tonto or more accuratey like Chief in “One Flew Over The Cookoos Nest” , this man hardly stammered out two words after I helped him and they were “Thank you.” He is a man of few words.

After retrieving my gas can from him he had his hands at the nape of his neck unfastening his necklace. I was wondering what he was doing and then he handed his necklace to me.

The jewelry reminded me of Indian pieces I saw our natives selling in Santa Fe last year. There was no Spanish accent, so at this point, I asked if he was Native American. He said yes and we shared what tribes we are both from. I Blackfoot, he Apache.

It reminded me of Chief receiving a piece of gum from Jack Nicholson in that best picture of the year in 1975 and the only time Chief spoke was one time and he simply said “Thank you.”

I did not want to accept the gift and I am glad I did. This former conservative stuffed shirt now wears 3 necklaces and each one has it’s own story.

How many times have we helped someone and quickly forgotten the good deed? When I see this handmade necklace made from a distant brother that habitates in El Paso, I will always remember how grateful a man was for a little help along the way.

It’s like Bruce said, “We swore blood brothers against the wind, I am ready to grow young again.”

Well… I wouldn’t make this small ceremony of passing a necklace that monumental and thank G-d there was no blood exchanged, and there was no wind in the Texas heat other than the warm breeze kicked up by passing 18 wheelers. Him taking that necklace off with speaking no words, it could only make me think of when the Indians gave blankets to the early settlers and the pioneers of our country without understanding any English, just kindness.

A simple gift when given in appreciation and not obligation is well received with the real joy being in giving.

I gave some compassion and concern along a bleak well traveled Texas highway and he got to give something that was valuable to him.

Call it Tigers Eye, Eye of the Tiger, call it as you will. It is a gemstone I will treasure until I get to pass it along to someone one day in exchange for my appreciation.

The beauty is in giving and receiving when not expected or warranted.

Giving is a gift, a gift of love.

What can you give to someone today and know they will treasure it where you both emerge as better people for it?

This my friend is priceless.