Chapter 36 - A Tug from Above
Today's reflection includes one of my favorite quotes of all time and the lyrics from one of my favorite songs.
The reflection comes from Michele Mcevoy-Vanderhyde, a school nurse at Huntington Park High School. It is a beautiful rumination on finding our purpose, living that purpose out "in love," and racial unity. How crucial in a moment like this! Thank you, Michele.
A TUG FROM ABOVE
My brother passed away in 2017. He was raised by our maternal grandmother who was from Chihuahua Mexico and lived in South Central Los Angeles. He married the love of his life, who is a beautiful African American woman from Louisiana. She was a teacher and substitute for LAUSD for many years and her mother a principal. My brother and beautiful sister-in-law were married in a church where Nat King Cole used to attend. I felt so privileged to be in attendance. My brother had such a tender heart. I remember near the end of the ceremony he played a recording from John Lennon, the song "Imagine."
Yesterday late in the afternoon this song played on the radio. I stopped and listened attentively, reflecting on the unity of race we'd experienced over the years. Connecting with others not because of the color of their skin, but through hearts. There is no better way to live a quality life.
It had been a while since I connected with my sister-in-law, so I tried reaching out via text and telephone. She texted me to let me know she was on a prayer Zoom meeting. This was last evening, and she also texted to let me know she would call me today because she wanted to chat.
Our birth is a gift of life. We are born to live in love no matter who we are or what we do. No one is born to hate. We have been born into this world for a purpose. Once we identify what we believe our purpose is, we are then called, to live it out in love.
The right to choose, however, is also a gift and unfortunately, for whatever reason, we do not always choose love. This is when the wrong choices bring adversity. I will close with a quote from Mark Twain and the lyrics from the song "Imagine."
"The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why." -Mark Twain
"Imagine" by John Lennon
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace, you
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people sharing all the world, you........
Sincerely,
Pia and Michele
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