Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Off to an odd start

I wasn't quite sure what to kind of post to do first...so, decided to go with an everyday thing.  I read a book to one of my children this morning that brought tears to my eyes.  It's titled: 'The Impossible Patriotism Project' by Linda Skeers/pictures by Ard Hoyt.  It's about a boy (elementary school) whose class is assigned to do a 'patriotism project'.  He's not sure what to do and talks with his other classmates to get ideas. There's are wide range of ideas and projects. They seem to work well for the other students, but this boy can't quite figure it out - he wishes his Dad would be able to come to the Parent Night where the children will show their work.  He wishes his Dad were there to at least help him with an idea. Then...the idea comes.  He brings a poster to the Parent Night where he and his Mother are looking at all of the different projects. Before long, there is a group gathered around this boy's desk.  He did a poster of his father - who is far away fighting for his country to show how much he loves it, to fight for freedom and help keep the freedoms all citizens enjoy. Obviously, everyone is touched - several of the students want to send the items they made to the father who is far away.
I loved the reminder that we have so many wonderful freedoms.  The news isn't really that great around us.  There is much going on.  There are also many people who have given up hope on our country.  This book was a reminder that there is hope - we have families living around us that sacrifice so much for us (and we need to recognize/show gratitude for that) - we need to be patriotic in our own lives by remembering what we do have and that even though times might seem a little bleak...there is hope.

1 comment:

  1. Very interesting--I'll have to look it up. It would be hard to live where you are in the current political climate because I can imagine it's a lot of gloominess. I agree with you that there is so much to hope for, and so much good! I can't wait to read more of your thoughts.

    ReplyDelete