When he was in the fourth grade, my oldest son looked forward to his school’s annual trip to the birthplace of the California Gold Rush in Coloma. There he would learn to square dance, make cornbread, pitch a tent and pan for gold. Children were encouraged to wear denim overalls, flannel shirts, cowboy hats and neckerchiefs. Parents were encouraged to play up the spirit of the trip (and abate homesickness) by writing letters to our children as if they were forty-niners prospecting for tiny bits of gold.
A privilege to read this powerful piece. As you know, very similar themes run through Australia's history, continue to play out and yet are so often denied or ignored… Eternal vigilance!
Wow! This is great. Sad, a situation that smacks of hopelessness on many occasions is given a face and teeth in the story of your son and your concern for the education of your kids. And you give us hope, opportunities to start where we are and move forward, really make some personal progress. Thank you, sister, for this recollection. It is deeply personal at the same time it takes on systems on a much larger level. You rock the Casbah!
A privilege to read this powerful piece. As you know, very similar themes run through Australia's history, continue to play out and yet are so often denied or ignored… Eternal vigilance!
Tears! You had me at “Dearest L”
Loving memory and necessary call to action.
Tears, you moved me as always and made me think and consider. And joy for the excellence of this piece!
My heart is warmed, Z! 💕
Beautiful. Painfully true. I can’t wait to read the longer piece you’re working on!
Wow! This is great. Sad, a situation that smacks of hopelessness on many occasions is given a face and teeth in the story of your son and your concern for the education of your kids. And you give us hope, opportunities to start where we are and move forward, really make some personal progress. Thank you, sister, for this recollection. It is deeply personal at the same time it takes on systems on a much larger level. You rock the Casbah!