Daisy, my Spiritual Mentor
My faith was born under the cherry or apple tree. As a child, Daisy was my teacher. She could teach about God by a smile, the way she held out her hand, how she listened to my stories, by her patience, and by the strength of her character and Spirit.
As a child, I understood nature, sensed how life should be, accepted what it wasn't on most days, placed hope in tomorrow by living today, and trusted my instinct to know right from wrong and direction.
She taught by her compassion and gentleness to judge fairly or not at all, by her tolerance I learned to look for the good in people, and that the best way to teach was by being or reaching for the best within myself. Daisy as my friend, I sensed early on that we are all God's children; that more makes us the same than different and the contents of a person's heart measures Soul and worth.
Excerpt from Dear Daisy
(2/14/2001)
...I do realize that others hold preconceived visions of Justice that may not be my own and realize that some may be disappointed by the terms of this settlement. I chose this path as it reflects another source of my belief structure that guides my life and is based upon influences I hold dear to my heart. How fitting that this personal level of resolution would occur during this month of February as we celebrate our bonds through contributions of Black culture that I lived so closely with and my heart was nurtured by during my early years.
The motto of the National Association of Colored Woman, “Lifting As We Climb” expresses most closely my own beliefs and guides in word what my heart attempts in action for daily living. Perhaps my sharing this additional detail with you will help to further clarify the Justice path I chose.
From Twentieth Century Negro Literature, 1902
“And so lifting as we climb, onward and upward we go, struggling and striving and hoping that the buds and blossoms of our desires will burst into glorious fruition ere long. With courage born of success in the past, with a keen sense of responsibility, which we must continue to assume, we look forward to the future, large with promise and hope. Seeking no favors because of our color or patronage because of our needs, we knock at the bar of justice and ask for an equal chance.”
God be with us on our pathways of Peace and Justice,
Jane
Dedication
This work is dedicated with all my love to Daisy.
Her warmth taught me love, her gift of patience taught me to search my heart for patience with others, her Soul taught me strength equal to compassion, and through her love and guidance I learned to reach for my World.
Every blade of grass has its Angel that bends over and whispers, "Grow, grow." -The Talmud
Dear Daisy,
with all my love,
'Mis Jane
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