How to eat a caribou eye (or the power of "withness")
Sitting on the oilskin mat, surrounded by her Inuit friends, she tried in vain to spear the eyeball rolling on her dinner plate. It kept staring at her, flipping around and around, daring her to eat it.
But Kayy was the guest of honour and this caribou eye was considered a delicacy- the best part of the animal. Hating the idea of offending them, she gingerly picked it up with her fingers and began sucking out the fat and nibbling on the membrane.
The year was 1956 and at the tender age of 22, this young woman learned to speak Inuktitut, then moved from Vancouver to the Arctic, living alone in a tent in minus 80 C temperatures.
She joined them dogsledding as they hunted for reindeer. She nearly died after losing her way on the barren tundra, and almost drowned trekking over the treacherous ice.
Why?
Kayy knew that isolation and purposelessness kill the human spirit. She also knew that nothing is as powerful as love, and from the time she was a teenager, Kayy had a passion to share God’s love with her Inuit brothers and sisters.
She longed with all her heart to be with them. As a result, hundreds of lives have found sobriety, peace, connection, meaningful employment, purpose and most of all hope.
No wonder they call her “Queen of the North”.
Years ago, I had the privilege of sitting in a restaurant with this remarkable woman. I wanted to connect with her again, but assumed she’d be dead by now. However, after checking the obituaries and making some inquiries, I found out that at 91, she’s returned to visit her beloved family of over 30 churches spread across remote places like Coal Harbour, Arviat, Tuktoyaktuk, and Rankin Inlet.
Of course.
Where else would she be?
By the way…
Being “with” someone will most likely not involve eating a caribou eye but here’s a few simple ideas to consider…
Instead of texting, hit the voice message button instead. Just hearing your voice can make someone’s day.
Knock on a neighbour’s door. “I’ve made too much stew. Would you like some? We’re sick of it!”
Go for a walk and catch up with a friend.
Jump in the car and visit your family for a weekend.
Send a voice message asking, “What’s brought you delight today? Call me back when you get a chance.”