Aboriginal Elder Ruth home for Xmas

Joyce, Ruth and Ringo the dog, 2008.

I am originally from Sydney, Australia. Ruth and her sister Joyce 'adopted' me into their family and Indigenous kinship system nearly 20 years ago. Ruth is a senior elder and ceremonial leader from Ramingining in north-east Arnhem Land. She is one of the most beautiful souls that I have ever met and is the true matriarch of her clan.

I recently visited her in Darwin because she has renal failure and must have dialysis every second day. Because of this she has not been home to visit her family since diagnosis, nearly a year ago.
Home (and all her family apart from her carer/daughter Sharon) are 650km away. Ruth has 5 surviving daughters, 14 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

The change in her health and vitality (since I last visited 3 years ago) was quite shocking and initially made me very sad. But then I felt gratitude that her soul still shines brightly and she continues to laugh heartily.

I couldn't stop hugging her when it was time to say goodbye. It was bittersweet but my heart was full.
I genuinely feel that she won't survive until next Christmas. So it is my wish to give her and her family an incredible Christmas: one filled with love, connection, joy, food and gifts for the many children in her family. 

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In this video Ruth connects with my son Morris as he plays with her walker (on our recent visit to Darwin, NT). She has adopted me as her gathu or brother's daughter so 'Yolngu way' she calls him gaminyarr or grandson. Her love for him is palpable.
In the clip Ruth says "marngi yothu" ('smart kid' or 'he knows') and then "go', go'" ('come this way'), "ngamaka" ('he is listening').

https://vimeo.com/187278917