I am a Graduate student who has just finished my Master's degree and will be starting a Doctorates program under (hopefully literally) the most amazing professor ever. Three years ago I moved to a West Coast University. The city is huge, the school intimidating, and I entered the department office under confusion. I have been assigned to study under one of the leading Native American historians in the world. Students face intense competition to just get into his classes, I am his research assistant. Problem is, I knew nothing about Native American history and had planned on studying scientific history.
The department head was less than understanding of my position. She called me ungrateful. She also suggested that I look to a different school as they have students waiting in line for the position that I fell into. She questioned how I could possibly be qualified, having no experience in Indian history or their religious practices, which he specializes in. "I do not know why he chose you. We do not argue with Dr. Black-Horse."
Finding my new office, I was relieved to meet the girl I shared it. She was extremely nice, and appeared to be "in the know". In short order I learned the department head held a long standing crush on "my" professor. Dr. Black-Horse treated his assistance very kindly. I would have opportunity to travel with him and would spend long hours together. I looked forward to meeting him, all the girls flushed just at the mention of his name.
At first I did not understand; he was not all that good looking, he was married, and he spent extreme hours in research. In fact, I found him rather nerdy. This all slowly changed as I became enthralled in his lectures. When the stress of school felt unbearable, he was so caring and compassionate. It was his kind words that kept me going when I wanted to quit. That and his research. His research became my academic fulfillment giving me a reason to continue on.
I also became close friends with his wife, Glenda. She was rather young, having been his last research assistant. We got along so well, I felt as though she was my sister, I loved her. We had all the same interests and even looked alike. Glenda helped me with encouragement and words of enlightenment as I sunk into a depression. As I hit a low point in my education, it was her that asked me to spend the following week with them up at their cabin.
On the drive up to their cabin, Professor Black-Horse shared Spiritual thoughts from a variety of tribes. He was masterful in weaving them together. They fit together just right in that each touched an area where I was weak, helping me, strengthening me, supporting me. He taught me a Navajo chant that was so beautiful as it circled around in my mind.