This year, as I am stop to reflect upon Martin Luther King, Jr. Day I am feeling a bit disjointed in my thoughts. I just returned from visiting my grandmother in the hospital. As I write this she is in surgery. Her poor body is failing her in so many ways and it was heartbreaking to see her feeling so poorly. Yet, as I sat with her each day in the hospital, I was struck by how her kind spirit continued to thrive despite her pain, frailty and, at times, delirium. Whenever a nurse, assistant or doctor came in to check something, speak with her, take her blood pressure, etc. she thanked them. Every time. I cannot even describe how someone who is in such pain, has every reason to complain or be angry could continue to be kind, thoughtful, and generous of spirit. I have always learned so much from my grandmother and continue to learn from her in this difficult time. I’m a little too close to everything right now to really understand everything I am feeling, but I think I will always be learning from the lessons of her grace.

My grandmother’s spirit reminds me of King’s teachings about love’s power: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction….The chain reaction of evil–hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars–must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.” Strength To Love, 1963.

And so, I’m approaching this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a sad heart, not only for my grandmother but for the many tragedies and difficulties which the world is facing now. I’ve been trying to figure out what I want to say or how to put in words how I feel about the genocide in Sudan, the war in Iraq, the many ways people’s liberty and freedom are being denied, and the angst I feel about the political climate in this country.

And I just can’t put my feelings down in words. Every year I try to mark this day in some way, and this year I will let my grandmother’s incredible spirit and Martin Luther King’s insightful prose serve that purpose.

Martin Luther King Day reminds me to draw strength from history for today’s civil and human rights struggles…reminds me to learn from their actions to act today…reminds me to continue to learn from all those around me. Thank you for what I learn from each of you. My sincere hope is that you also will mark this day in some meaningful way and live its spirit throughout the year.

Love, Beth