Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters (2 page)

Have I told you that you have your own song?

A woman named Billie Holiday wore a gardenia in her hair

and sang beautiful blues to the world.

Her voice, full of sadness and joy,

made people feel deeply and add their melodies to the chorus.

Have I told you that you are strong?

A woman named Helen Keller fought her way through long, silent darkness.

Though she could not see or hear,

she taught us to look at and listen to each other.

Never waiting for life to get easier,

she gave others courage to face their challenges.

Have I told you how important it is to honor others’ sacrifices?

A woman named Maya Lin designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to remember those who gave their lives in the war,

and the Civil Rights Memorial

to thank the many who fought for equality.

Public spaces should be filled with art, she thought,

so that we can walk amidst it,

recalling the past and inspired to fix the future.

Have I told you that you are kind?

A woman named Jane Addams fed the poor

and helped them find jobs.

She opened doors and gave people hope.

She taught adults and invited children

to play and laugh and let their spirits grow wide.

Have I told you that you don’t give up?

When violence erupted in our nation

a man named Martin Luther King Jr.

taught us unyielding compassion. He gave us a dream

that all races and creeds would walk hand in hand.

He marched and he prayed and, one at a time,

opened hearts and saw the birth of his dream in us.

Have I told you that you are an explorer?

A man named Neil Armstrong was the first to walk on the moon.

He watched the world from way up high

and we watched his lunar landing leaps,

which made us brave enough

to take our own big, bold strides.

Have I told you that you are inspiring?

A man named Cesar Chavez showed farmworkers their own power when they felt they had none.

The people were poor but worked hard and loved the land.

Cesar picketed, prayed, and talked.

The people listened to their hearts and marched for their rights.

“
¡Sí se puede!
” Cesar said. “Yes, you can!”