I once mailed a letter to my mom. She left me and my four brothers and sisters when we were kids. I had no way to get the letter to her, so I just put it in the mailbox as a symbol. In my mind I sent it to her via the universe. It helped to heal me.
Lately I've been waking up at about 4 a.m. thinking about the teachers in Wisconsin. It happened again today. Teachers are special to me not only because I am one. They saved me when I was little. They saved my whole family. All five of us siblings became educators (four teachers and a school psychologist). My husband and daughter are teachers. I was just mentally counting and we have well over 100 years of teaching experience in my immediate family alone. That doesn't even count the extended family. When teachers are hurting, my family feels their pain.
I've been feeling a need to do something, anything to help the teachers and other public workers in Wisconsin and other places where they are fighting for their livelihoods. I can't get it out of my mind. So I'm sending this letter to them via the universe--and the internet.
I guess it's a prayer really.
My sister made me a prayer shawl. She said that as she made it, with every row she said certain prayers.. The idea is that when I put it around my shoulders, I'm wrapping myself in her prayers for me. I loved that.
In my mind I'm sending my prayer shawl to wrap around all the scared and cold teachers in Wisconsin. I want you to know that my prayers are with you. I'm praying that God gives you continued strength and courage. I'm praying that He warms the hard hearted around you. I guess my prayer is for so much more than just the teachers. I'm praying for a healing in our country. I'm praying that the greed in our country will be turned into giving. I want to live to see the hatred in our country turned into love and compassion for the least of us.
If I could, I'd also send a recording of my daughter's voice singing for you. She has the voice of an angel, and many people have said it has a healing quality to it. So in my symbolic letter you are surrounded by my prayer shawl listening to her healing voice singing:
Bridge Over Troubled Water
P. Simon 1969
When you're weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes,
I will dry them all
I'm on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I'll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
When you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
God bless you my brothers and sisters in teaching everywhere.