12/8/2009 5:41:00 PM Missing dreams Theft of ‘dreamcatcher’ won’t spoil the dream
Lance Morris, with the help of family and friends, built what he believes to be the world's largest dreamcatcher last year. It was designed to help those in need including veterans, the elderly, the sick and infirm and abused women and children.
RIMROCK - Sometime during Nov. 26-27, thieves came in the night and attempted to steal Lance Morris' dream -- a dream that was intended to honor those less fortunate, and in the process, help save the life of his best friend.
Earlier this year, Morris, along with the help of family and friends had created what he believed to be the world's largest dreamcatcher. For the uninitiated, dreamcatchers are hoops that have been loosely woven across the interior, similar to spider webbing, and often adorned with feathers and other objects.
They originated with the Chippewa Indians in recent times, and are said to filter out bad dreams. Several native cultures as well as new age practitioners have since adopted them.
But for Morris, his 12-foot-diameter dreamcatcher served a worldly purpose as well as a role in the ethereal world. And, he says, that in spite of its disappearance; he doe not intend to abandon the dreams behind the dreamcatcher.
"It had medicine ties on it, each of which represented a group of people who needed special help. One represented the veterans, one was for the elderly and one for battered women and children and the sick and infirm," Morris says.
In the end, he intended to auction it off and use the proceeds toward his wife's anticipated liver transplant.
Over the last year he showed the dreamcatcher around the valley at several events, including Fort Verde Days and the Beaver Creek Fourth of July parade.
Most recently it was on display in front of the Verde Valley Honey Company, on Beaver Creek Road in Rimrock. It was parked out front and mounted to a small trailer when it disappeared over Thanksgiving weekend.
Thieves cut out the webbing, which included several large pieces of turquoise, took the hoop from the trailer and shoved the trailer down a ravine. They left a note saying the "Witches Coven #333 in Rimrock" had "borrowed" it.
"I'm going to make another one, only bigger," Morris says. "Thanks to a contribution from the owners of the Verde Valley Honey Company. They didn't have to, but they did."
The new dreamcatcher, Morris says, will be 16 feet in diameter. He has yet to decide how it will be adorned, but hopes to once again include some turquoise.
"I just decided I couldn't let this dream die. It has come to mean a lot for me over the last year. Somehow I feel others are depending on it," he says.
The theft of the original dreamcatcher is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office at 567-7710.
Reader Comments
Posted: Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Ginger Mason
If you know Lance and Edna, then you know that the distructive and disrespectful act of the criminals only made the Morris's stronger and work harder at making a change in the community! Hopefully when the perpetrators drive by the "bigger and better" one, it will weave more productive thoughts in their minds!
