A Different Kind of Christmas

Dear  Friends,
 
This is a Christmas the likes of which most of us have never seen before.  It is, of course, hard to find words for all we have been through. 
 
As I think about these difficult times, I find myself amazed by the helpers, heroes and caregivers who selflessly come to the fore.  
 
The help these angels give reminds me of a beautiful poem written by Jesuit priest, poet and activist, Daniel Berrigan. Originally published in Plowshare 8, the poem "Some" was written in memory of homeless advocate Mitchell Snyder.
 
I found a reading of the poem by historian Howard Zinn on YouTube, available to watch below.  As I listened, once again, I thought of the brave and tireless heroes, all, who have been out there caring for the rest of us. Their work and self-sacrifice is something we can all be grateful for as we celebrate the holidays and the coming new year in a different but perhaps more meaningful way. 

-- Nancy Jean
​

Some
by Daniel Berrigan

Some stood up once, and sat down.
Some walked a mile, and walked away.

Some stood up twice, then sat down.
“It’s too much,” they cried.

Some walked two miles, then walked away.
“I’ve had it,” they cried,

Some stood and stood and stood.
They were taken for fools,
they were taken for being taken in.

Some walked and walked and walked –
they walked the earth,
they walked the waters,
they walked the air.

“Why do you stand?” they were asked, and
“Why do you walk?”

“Because of the children,” they said, and
“Because of the heart, and
“Because of the bread,”

“Because the cause is
the heart’s beat, and
the children born, and
the risen bread.”

Coming soon on GrandfathersGift.net - The surprising similarities between the problems Abraham Lincoln faced and those President-elect Joe Biden will face when he takes office. And, in the coming year we will delve more into Nancy Kendall's story.