Heart Medicine
You know that feeling you get
When a surprise phone call comes
From the little Black boy who once
Lived next door, now a man.
“I just wanted to tell you how much I
Appreciate what you gave me. You
Introduced me to so many things, like
The tide pools at the beach and riding
Horses at your dad’s place,
And your kindness when someone asked
If you adopted me. I heard you say ““No,
But I love him like my own.”'
And the trips to Canada to visit
Your Filipino relatives.
You all treated me as part of the family.
I didn't know those experiences weren't
Typical of someone like me
Until my college roommate, who was afraid
of White people; thought Whiteness was evil.
By the way, I'm getting married tomorrow.
I want you there, standing beside my mother.
You helped raise me!”
You know that feeling you get
When you open an unexpected letter
From the little Black Girl, turned woman
“I'm writing to thank you. Some of my best
Childhood memories are of being in your
Girl Scout troop. It was so much fun
Cooking Hobo Stew over the campfire,
Singing silly songs at the top of our lungs,
Marching in the Mother's Day Parade
In our plastic Hawaiian 'skirts.'
I always looked forward to Wednesdays,
The happiest day of the week for me.
When I grew up I became a Girl Scout Leader
For my daughters. I wanted to make it
As much fun as you did.
And guess what! I'm a Program Director at
Girl scouts, now!
You know that feeling you get
When your old friend's milky-white child,
Turned nurse, with children of her own,
Is suddenly at your door saying to you
“I just have to tell you how grateful I am.
You were always there with a tight hug
After Mom shamed me for not getting
Straight ‘A’s, and when the clutter was
Knee deep, you cleaned and sorted
And urged Mom to get help.
Maybe she wasn’t listening,
But I was.
When my therapist asked me if there were
Any women in my life who brought me
Strength during my difficult childhood,
You were the first person who came to mind.”
You know that feeling I'm talking about
When your chest swells, tears flood your eyes,
Words catch in your throat,
And you place your hand over your mouth
To keep a whimper from escaping.
Naida Lavon
Jan. 2021
Judi Leff’s Memoir Class San Mateo CC
The prompt was “If you had 3 wishes”
I thought of these three blessings