Читать книгу Racing Toward Recovery. The Extraordinary Story of Alaska Musher Mike Williams Sr. онлайн

3 страница из 77

Mike would come from Akiak and stay with me and my husband, Mike, in Bethel. So did his brothers. We loved to have them, but we were so worried about them. Once, I remember somebody going out in the winter without a coat because he was drunk. We prayed they didn’t freeze to death on their way home.

Mike’s brothers all were lost due to problems with alcohol, but Mike overcame the problem. You have to really respect where that man has come from. He is a spiritual inspiration.

Dog mushing was a big part of the Williams brothers’ lives. It brought them into the forefront of the community and gave them some success. The key for Mike being strong was in part due to dog mushing. He recognized the destruction facing his family. His faith in God was the only thing strong enough to change him. And his wife, Maggie, was driven to be successful. She has been incredibly strong for Mike.

The Iditarod became a big part of Mike’s life, too. I always thought that dog mushing can be a real savior for rural Alaska. It gives Alaska Natives a closeness to their culture. I love to see it when Alaska Natives do well in the Iditarod. There is a realization they can be the best in the world. This is one thing that can help save the culture.