i am a cherokee and i have been making medicine bags since i was very little. my grandmother just recently put a lock of her hair in the one i've had for a long long time.

you see, in our traditions the hair is sacred. we do not cut it unless we are going through mourning. we even clear our hair out of our hairbrushes so that no one can get to it. it's a real honor to give someone a lock of your hair. its sort of like cherokee voodoo in a way.

it is a great exercise. i wear my medicine bag, but i also wear some saint medals around my neck. saint dymphna and saint jude. they help me everyday.