Saturday, December 7, 2013

Celebration of Heros

Discover. Play. Build.

I did not have to fight for my rights when I was growing up
I already had the freedom
I did not have to fight for my right to vote
I already had the freedom
I did not have to fight for my right to worship in freedom
I already had the freedom
I did not have to fight for my right to sit at the front of a bus
I already had that freedom
I did not have to fight for my right to attend a school of my choice
I already had the freedom
I did not have to fight for the right to speak my language
I already had the freedom
I did not have to fight for my right to live in a place of my choosing
I already had the freedom
I did not have to fight for peace in my country
I already had the freedom to live in peace

So, today, I celebrate you 
who had to fight for your rights
I celebrate you
 who had to fight to get the right to vote
I celebrate you
 who had to fight to worship freely
I celebrate you
 who had to fight to go to a school of your choice
I celebrate you
 who had to fight for the right to live freely and in freedom
I celebrate you
 who had to fight for peace in your country
I celebrate you
who went to prison to make sure I can keep my rights


"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."     -Nelson Mandela-

11 comments:

  1. Jaana, thanks for writing this beautiful tribute. It's easy to take things for granted when we live in a time where we "have" it.

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  2. What a wonderful tribute! I too have been thinking about how blessed my life has been.

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  3. What a great tribute! I read Kadir Nelson's book to a couple of classes yesterday. I want to read your poem on Monday. Think it might inspire some poems from our kids! Thank you!

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  4. This is so thought-provoking! I was at a book sale this week and there was a picture about him...now, I wish I would have bought it!

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  5. What a moving and fitting poem for this week.

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  6. What a wonderful tribute to such an important person. I love the poem and the way it made me think. Thank you for this celebration.

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  7. Such a perfect combination of celebration and tribute! I'm in awe. Thank you!! I celebrate your poem.

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  8. Beautiful written tribute for this great man, Jaana. Thank you!

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  9. Thank you for reminding us its not enough to be grateful in our freedoms. It is our charge to live our lives in a way that helps other to achieve this same freedom to be who they are do and go where they wish

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  10. We take so much for granted. I wonder if I would have had the courage to fight for these freedoms. Nice, Jaana!

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  11. Thoughtful and beautiful. We don't stop often enough to think what it means to have or not have freedom and rights.

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