Wealth in My Pocket

In her best-selling book, Simple Abundance, author Sarah ban Breathnach suggests that we tuck a $20 bill into the pockets of coats that we put away after winter, so we'll have the delight of discovering the forgotten cash when we take the coat out again a year later. I didn't have any 20s to spare last spring, but I did find a note in my pocket last week when I wore my fall jacket for the first time. It was from a woman who'd found a copy of my book, The Difference a Day Makes, in her room at a local bed 'n' breakfast and, as a result, had subsequently bought 10 signed copies from me. She'd listed the names of the 10 people she wanted me to address with my signature, and underneath, she wrote, "Thank you -- your book kept me up in a wonderful way the other night. Reading it evoked my hope and my determination, and I appreciate your mind and soul work in doing it."

No amount of 20s could possibly have made me feel richer.

Pure Poetry

Someone sent me this poem last week, and I thought I would share it here, since so many of you continue to ask what you can do to promote peace. While the author asked that her name not be revealed, she gave permission for me -- and anyone -- to share/forward as you wish.

Talking Points

Yes, I want to cut and run
I want to cut all ties to casual cruelty
and run toward reason, humanity's arms.

I want to cut through pain and politics
religion and revenge
and run a stream of healing through
this gaping, gasping wound.

I want to cut into this parched landscape
and run a current of compassion
into its dead heart.

I want to pick up all the splintered pieces
and pull out all the choking weeds
and give my hands to restoration and
redemption.

I want to cut out every charred and
blood-soaked image
of dishonor, dismembered
I want to run with warmer winds
straight into peace
and purpose.

- Author Unrevealed (by request)

At the Heart of Amish Country

The shootings at the Amish schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, have left a particularly persistent ache with me, since I grew up about 45 minutes from this area and still drive through it every time I visit my mother. The Amish and Mennonite people were not an unusual presence in my hometown. I intend to write more about these peace-loving citizens and their response to this tragic event in my "Wake-Up Call" for October's e-newsletter. In the meantime, if you are moved to respond to this heart-rending incident, here are some actions you can take today:

> At the request of Amish community leaders, Coatesville Savings Bank has established two funds, donations to either of which should be sent to Coatesville Savings Bank, 1082 Georgetown Road, Paradise, PA 17562:

To support victims of the schoolhouse tragedy, mark your donation for the Nickel Mines Children's Fund.

To support the young children of the man who perpetrated the violence, send donations marked for the Roberts Family Fund.

If you live in the region, you can also drop off donations at any of the bank’s branches including Coatesville, New Holland and Oxford.

> Send donations and/or letters of support to the Nickel Mines School Victims Fund, c/o Hometown Heritage Bank, P.O. 337, Strasburg, PA 17579.

> To donate funds to help victims' families with transportation, medical care, supportive care and other needs, call the Mennonite Central Committee (717-859-1151) or the Mennonite Disaster Service (717-859-2210) or donate online at mds.mennonite.net or mcc.org; tell them you wish to designate funds for the Amish School Recovery Fund.

> If you would like to send a thoughtful note or card to the families of children recovering in hospitals, you may wish to send sentiments addressed to A Special Child From Nickel Mines in Your Care:
c/o Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4399
OR
c/o Penn State Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033

Let's all keep these children, their parents and the entire community in our most healing thoughts.