Memories of Robert Lester Barnhill III

In memory of

Robert Lester Barnhill III

Collins, IA, USA

August 3, 1964 - June 17, 2020

Aug 3, 1964 - Jun 17, 2020

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Michelle Shelley

2020, Hugo, OK, USA

I want to share the story of Bob Barnhill’s passing. He was a very spiritual person and very in tune with nature. In our current state of turmoil, hate and illness...I think his story is full of HOPE. I just feel it needs shared and will add something positive and inspirational to the world. I’ll try to do it as brief and accurate as I can...

Bob, Medicine Eagle, has always participated in Lakota Indian practices and beliefs. He followed his father’s footsteps in that way of life and belief. This past week, he and Barbara went to Oklahoma to participate in a Sun Dance. He goes every year and is a leader in the ceremonies.

The Sun Dance is a ceremony practiced by some Indigenous people of United States of America and Canada, primarily those of the Plains cultures. It usually involves the community gathering together to pray for healing. Individuals make personal sacrifices on behalf of the community.

At the beginning of the ceremony gathering, they look for a sacred tree to cut and use as the center pole for the dance and sun worship. I guess Bob was up very early, like 4 a.m. that day. Since he couldn’t sleep, he went out and looked at the stars.

Later, he and Barbara were the first to arrive where they would choose the tree. When everyone gathered and found their tree, it was chopped. Bob dropped to his knees. As the tree was hitting the ground, so did Bob.

I researched the cottonwood tree today, as Austin and I sat searching for some sort of meaning to this all. The cottonwood is the tree of hope. If you snap a fallen stem, you’ll usually find a star shape in the middle. It’s said to release the stars back to the sky. The cottonwood connects earth to sky.

Think about Bob gazing in to the stars, which ended up being his destiny that day. He was released from earth, back to the stars. He was called to be back where he belonged. 💫

If I mis-spoke, Barbara Charlson, please feel free to correct me. So many people have asked what happened. We’re calling it a sudden heart attack. However, it brings us all a little peace to know and understand that Bob has a bigger purpose and was taken from earth for those reasons.

Believe what you want to believe. Do YOU! Love each other and choose kind ALWAYS. This is what we should strive for.

Side note: Oddly enough, I noticed and pointed out a very bright shiny star last night. This is before we gave this much thought and put the meaning to it. 🌟

Another add...this comment is so incredible that I’m adding it to the post! INCREDIBLE!!!

...And also to add to that, as the leader of the Sundance here and very honored to have known Bob and Barb that the Warrior Tree was gifted a name as I was making a new feather as we do each year , the name is “One who listens to the stars” and I shared this name right before it was cut and Bob heard the name and began to sing! We are so honored to be his and barbs family here and they shared this special moment with this circle! ✌️🖤🤍💛♥️🦅 Darryl GreyEagle Brown

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