Its hard to know if the blessings are woven in with the hard things or the persistence of the present but unwished for matters are stitched into the lining of the sweetnesses...
Michael - Your offering reminds me of a 5th grade school project that was one of my most memorably satisfying school (and early life) experiences -- memorizing and reciting The Gettysburg Address. I remember that it was so satisfying because the repetitions of the words, sentence by sentence, over and over, caused an embodied experience in me. I felt empathy with Lincoln, feeling the horror and grief of war, as much as my innocent 10 year-old self could comprehend. And, I appreciated with huge gratitude, the freedom of a life free from war.
I practiced my project with anyone around, eager to share Lincoln's heart and vision and leadership. I was motivated, empowered, by my own newly discovered personal sense of liberty, and the 'safe' America I enjoyed.
Sixty years have passed. But my heart remains connected to where Lincoln's heart was when he shared The Gettysburg Address on Nov 19, 1863.
Thank you, Michael, for inspiring a sweet trip down memory lane. ❤️
Gram, thanks for writing! Matthew here (no Michael in the building)! I’m charmed hearing this recollection. Sounds like you got lucky. So often school projects turn into bloodless tasks. My approach has a different technique than ones in school if it’s taught at all. Come on down.
Michael - Your offering reminds me of a 5th grade school project that was one of my most memorably satisfying school (and early life) experiences -- memorizing and reciting The Gettysburg Address. I remember that it was so satisfying because the repetitions of the words, sentence by sentence, over and over, caused an embodied experience in me. I felt empathy with Lincoln, feeling the horror and grief of war, as much as my innocent 10 year-old self could comprehend. And, I appreciated with huge gratitude, the freedom of a life free from war.
I practiced my project with anyone around, eager to share Lincoln's heart and vision and leadership. I was motivated, empowered, by my own newly discovered personal sense of liberty, and the 'safe' America I enjoyed.
Sixty years have passed. But my heart remains connected to where Lincoln's heart was when he shared The Gettysburg Address on Nov 19, 1863.
Thank you, Michael, for inspiring a sweet trip down memory lane. ❤️
Gram, thanks for writing! Matthew here (no Michael in the building)! I’m charmed hearing this recollection. Sounds like you got lucky. So often school projects turn into bloodless tasks. My approach has a different technique than ones in school if it’s taught at all. Come on down.