She Was Tolerant (copy)

                                                    She Was Tolerant

   The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is eye-opening story of teenage boy who substitute his subdue livelihood into confident existence. He had a choice to keep living pointless life that everyone around him did, or change it into something more meaningful, something that would possible even help others to change their lives. Sometimes it was much easier to just go with a flow, to not think or strain himself, to dissolve in a crowd, but he had someone who helped him move forward. It was his grandmother. Grandma was biggest example for Junior, because she showed him with her own life how to believe in best, love, forgive and most of all how to move on been tolerant to have a significant life.
   His grandmother believed in him. She was the only one who thought that decision to go to Reardan was 100 percent good idea. "Think of all the new people you're going to meet," she said. "That's the whole point of life, you know? To meet new people. I wish I could go with you. It's such an exciting idea" (Alexie 156). His parents were supportive too, but they saw the reality. They told him that it's going to be very hard to get to Reardan, because they simply can't afford to move there and there was no school bus which would get him to school. And probably most important reality is that Indians around them will mot be pleased with it, they will be angry. Rowdy was one of them. After Junior told hoim that he wants to transfer to Reardan, Rowdy got really mad, he spit on the floor, he started to scream "that everybody on the rez heard that "(Alexie 52). Junior was in pain, he cried. Rowdy started crying too and he hated that. Rowdy accused his best friend "you always thought you were better than me" (Alexie 52). Rowdy flinched and shoved Junior two times and Junior was hoping against all odds that Rowdy would even go with him to the new school. But Rowdy just punched him in the face. His best friend made his nose bled like firework and now his best friend had become his worst enemy. Should he stay or should he go? How can he hope that thinks would be better in another school? The truth is that he was scared, "I'm scared, too," Dad said (Alexie 54). But he knew that he had to do this. There were no way to turn around, even if he wanted to. Where would he get the strength? Grandma's advice was to see the positive side. Yes, there were many obstacles but he had joy in his heart too, somewhere deep, that no one could take away from him
   Junior loved his grandma. He had a list of the people who had given him the most joy in his life, she was in there among Rowdy, his mother, his father and few other people. Junior was not sjy about it, he was saying it again and again that he LOVED his grandma. This love opened his heart to everything his grandma would say, Junior would take it seriously, and love here more for all the advices. When Junior punched this big guy (from his new school) in the face, he was preparing himself for a huge fight in near future. He went to his beloved grandma for advice, because this big guy didn't hit him back when he was supposed too! She asked him all sort of questions to get to the bottom of the story, so she could analyze it and tell her grandson what to do. "I think it means he respects you," she said. Junior was shocked, he couldn't believed it. This idea was totally astonishing! No way! Junior even had another list of the ruled of fisticuffs. This new rule was not on this list! And grandma was right, next day Roger (the big guy) didn't fight him, he was actually nice. He paid him some respect. So, this is how Junior was supposed to fight the white guys? "This giant boy is the alpha male of the school, and you're the new dog, so he pushed you around a bit to see how tough you are ." And "you punched the alpha dog in the face, they're going to respect you now" (Alexie 70) said his grandma. Now Junior can move on. From now on things would be better, his grandma was right about that. He could keep going to white school. He will take it very seriously, just like he takes his cartoons seriously, "every moment of a life should be taken seriously."
   One of Junior's cartoons show how much he knows about this grandma's life how much she taught him. And here is what was on that cartoon - grandma and all the little details about her. He knew what was her favorite food to eat(and he drew that), he knew that her dress wasn't anything fancy, her basketball sneakers are telling that "she's got mad skills". Grandma was practical, it's good to be practical, ready for anything at any moment. For example sneakers are probably one of the most comfortable shoes - if you need to run, you won't be caught off guard. Granma was wearing sneakers and she looked comfortable, ready. Junior had to be ready all the time too, so he will not be surprised and unprepared when need to fight would arise, when maybe even run, or simply just enjoy his "walk" in life. Even Grandma's bandannas had different colors for different events. She knew what to wear to what occasion (red when she goes to powwows, green around the house, blue when she visits her friends, purple when she goes to garage sales).And Junior also learned that he was supposed to be different  person around different people. With some he was supposed to be tough, like with those who picked on him in the new school, with others, who might hurt him to cause him more brain damage on guard. While showing his smart brain to those who thought he was stupid, like one of his teachers, he showed his soft side to others who needed sympathy, like Penelope. Grandma also had a belt, and it was special because it used to belong to Junior's grandfather, who died when Junior was a baby. That means grandma told her grandson about this belt, where it come from and to whom it belonged. By this she showed Junior that she honors those who was close to her, she treasured it and would proudly wear it. Junior also honors his parents, his mom, his dad, even when he was drunk even when "he left on Christmas Eve and came back on January 2" (Alexie 150). Junior honors his friends and family by drawing them in his cartoons. Also grandma wasn't idle, she was making and selling beaded key chains on eBay, which wasn't much, but all that she could do. She showed Junior that he was supposed to work to earn his living and work hard. Probably it took some time to patiently make one of those key chains, but she knew her talent and she put some efforts into it, to make it work. Junior had a talent too. He was great shooter and he was a good player. Because of him, his basketball team won the most important game of his life. Important moments always leave enormous footprints on the heart.
   One of his substantial footprint on his heart was grandmother's death. Even on her death bed, when her life slowly subside, she was teaching Junior how to keep living and not be submerge by difficult events. She said, 'Forgive him' (Alexie 157). Forgive the drunk driver who run over and killed his grandma/!?! She was absolutely astute. She knew what he needed to have completely free life. If he won't forgive he will make gigantic steps backward and fall into world of embittered human-creatures. Forgiveness is not amnesia, it's intentionally choosing to let the offender go. Junior didn't' have to erase his feelings or memories, he just needed to reliefs the guilty person from his guilt and move on again. He needed to give this gift of forgiveness to himself despite how hard it is.
   Junior was supposed to be drowned by all the events in his life. Most of the people in the rez their backs on him, his best friend hated him, didn't' want to talk to him or see him. If not to the fact that new school was very tough on him , then unexpected deaths of close family/friends in a short period of time should have crashed him. But from his young age Grandma was there to show him how to move one and be ready for anything, while not forgetting to give others second chances by forgiving them. She didn't' have to say many words, her life was the loudest teacher for managing life challenges. And Junior learned how to meet those challenges and meet them properly, with no fear, with tolerance and be a winner at the end.