Every child belongs to mankind's family
Children are the fruit of all humanity
Let them feel the love of all the human race
Touch them with the warmth, the strength of that embrace.
Give me love and understanding, i will thrive
As my children grow my dreams come alive
Those who hear the cries of children. God will bless
I will always hear the children of Sánchez.
- Chuck Mangione, Children of Sánchez
Hi Mark,
I don't want to intrude - now, or any time, as you are going through the coming time with your son. There is no 'right' thing to say, so I will try to keep it to a minimum.
Any time you would like to share an update on him; he had a good/bad day, he felt well enough for us to go drop a line for some spring Chinook, or whatever--or if you would just like a sounding board to share how fucking unfair this is--I am your friend, and I'm here for you.
I usually say too much, under the best of circumstances, to I'll leave it here. Please give my best to Andy; I love you both.
Michael
Among my earliest memories was Mom asking me where it hurt, and kissing my 'owies'. For those owies that were out of reach of kisses, she offered, and encouraged 'a few Hail Marys'. As I wandered to and from belief in the supernatural, I never took a step away from belief in the healing power of her Hail Marys, and remain grateful for them to this day. She taught us all the meaning of love, forgiveness, and empathy, traits I still look to as my north star.
I don't say a lot of Hail Marys these days, but I am forever grateful to have this woman, full of grace, in my life. Happy Mother's Day!
Remember back in grade school, when you were a youngster, still finding out where you fit in the world. Each new grade presented new challenges; a different, strange classroom, tougher assignments, a 'musical-chairs' remainder of rearranged classmates. It's really a lot to take in. One of the few steady, reassuring things in a youngster's life is the idea that they are welcome, and that they are valued just as they are. That trust establishes a relationship with learning that will last a lifetime.
I am blessed with friends who teach at this vulnerable level; beyond getting the kids through learning objectives, the best of them focus on the emotional state of the young spirits entrusted to them.
Signs like these play a surprisingly important role in that ... in reassuring an uncertain child that there is a place for them right there.
It's difficult to imagine what provokes a school, or school district, to force a teacher to remove these affirmations. But it's not at all hard to imagine what goes through the mind, and the precious, vulnerable hearts of the kids who see them disappear.
These are strange times we find ourselves living in; fear, prejudice, and ignorance being passed off as values. And it's horrifying to imagine that being passed on to the next generation.
