The Way Wings Should

Today my coworkers at the Relief Nursery gathered together and planted a dogwood tree on the school grounds in honor of Sage. This offering was organized by the Relief Nursery Board of Directors. The tree will produce white flowers, and in the fall its leaves will turn scarlet.

Lupe and A.J. plant the tree.

Everyone helps.

R.N. staff with the beautiful little tree.

While we were gathered to plant the tree, my friend, Gretchen, read the following Rumi poem. It reminds me that children, not just our own, but all the children we encounter, need us to show them it is possible to live joyfully, passionately, and with fully open hearts. In my mind, this poem expresses the purpose and spirit of the Relief Nursery - to help the children (and the adults) in our community endure their struggles and wake with their hearts wanting to play . . . the way wings should.

The Way Wings Should

What will
our children do in the morning?
Will they wake with their hearts wanting to play,
the way wings
should?

Will they have dreamed the needed flights and gathered
the strength from the planets
that all men and women need
to balance the wonderful charms of
the earth
so that her power and beauty
does not make us forget our own?

I know all about the ways of the heart - how it wants to be alive.

Love so needs to love
that it will endure almost anything, even abuse,
just to flicker for a moment.
But the sky's mouth is kind,
its song will never hurt you,
for I sing those words.

What will our children do in the morning
if they do not see us
fly?

~ Rumi ~

A hug from Gretchen.