Gift Recomendations

If you are looking for gift ideas for somone, I highly recommend these two books as gifts for you to give this Christmas.

For Christmas, Levi gave Allison I Can Make a Difference by Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children's Defense Fund. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful, and the book is packed with all kinds of stories from all kinds of cultures that are meant to teach and inspire morality in our children. Here is an excerpt from the introduction written by Mrs. Edelman:

Over two thousand years ago, a Palestinian Jew named Jesus taught that 'Man shall not live by bread alone.' His message is in danger of being lost as so many of our children of privilege and poverty chase material idols that fade, and stuff themselves with the cultural junk foods of violence, drugs, and material things that fail to fill the deeper hunger for community and purpose all humans share. Making a difference is the organizing framework for this book. I believe each of us is put on this earth for a purpose and with the duty to make this world a better place. My parents and Black community elders taught, by word and deed, that service is the rent each of us pays for living and that the only thing that lasts is what is shared with others. All our children need to know that goodness and wisdom come in all colors and countries and genders and sizes and do not belong to any single person or group or nation.

Allison bought Amazing Peace by Maya Angelou which was the poem she wrote and recited at the lighting of the Christmas tree in Washington DC this year. It will be our new family tradition to read this poem during Christmas as a reminder of our deep longing and need for peace. Here is an excerpt from the poem:

On this platform of peace, we create a language
to translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other
At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ
Into the great religions of the world.
We Jubilate the precious advent of trust
We shout with glorius tongues the coming hope
All the earth's tribes loosen their voices
To celebrate the promise of Peace.
We, Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers,
Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at our world and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves,
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation:

Peace, My Brother.
Peace, My Sister.
Peace, My Soul.

You cannot go wrong with these gifts. They are monetarily inexpensive but spiritually priceless.