Writing prompt: Write an open letter—a letter that addresses big issues and that may be suitable for public reading—to your children, yourself, or simply to the world at large. Express your hopes for the future, and tie them in with past experiences that shape you. Infuse your letter with passion expressed and see what develops. Imagine that your letter will be published by a major magazine.
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To: My grandchildren, and anyone else with a chip on his or her shoulder: LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT.
You can’t continually complain or blame things on someone else; well, you can, but it will not get you anywhere. It reminds me of the soldier on square drill: "Don’t blame me; everyone else is out of step." If you look around, you can always find someone worse off than yourself. Try to be positive, not negative; sometimes even a smile on your face can help you or even a stranger through the day.
In the army, in England, grandpa gave up seven years of his precious life to WWII, and I gave up four years – for you, and the future. We were fortunate to survive. When it was over we held each other, and I said: "The world is our oyster; all we have to do is crack it open and enjoy it!"
I lost him in 1988, and life has included surmounting many obstacles – but the memories are precious and the future holds untold mysteries, so open your eyes and be a part of them as they unfold.
Dear Parents and Newspapper Editor:
Recent editorials and postings in our local newspaper have really demonstrated the high level of distrust and animosity toward the teachers and administrators of a certain Georgia community.
It is disheartening to realize that very little we educators do to help with the improvement of our community is recognized or appreciated by many in the community. Some of the people who have been a part of this conversation have stated that teachers do not deserve to make a decent salary and should not be paid for the years of education that we’ve finanaced. A modest salary which is equal to the median salary of the community is the only appropriate compensation for educators.
My hope for my students is that they become brave people who will not allow fear and condemnation to become the mainstay of their lives. I pray that they are more successful with their lives than I have been and that they always – always turn problems in different directions so that they understand them better.
My hope for the community is that the children learn to lead and develop community in a much more benelvolent manner than their elders. My committment to this community will continue because it is necessary work – whether supplied by the government or not. Without teachers, without their guidance, demonstrations of belief and embrasure of positively shaping young minds; where would any of us be?
Gwendolyn F. Holley