Hello dear children!
I can’t tell you how excited your Friends Ink! Team feels about receiving letters from you. It makes our hearts fill with love. Thank you for taking the time to write to us. We are learning so much about you through your letters.
I know sometimes grown-ups don’t talk to children about serious issues, because we don’t want our children to worry or feel afraid. We know that some things going on in your country, and in the world, can feel really scary. It is hard for all of us to understand why there are wars, and why people seem so angry towards each other. It is hard to understand why people can act cruelly to others. That is one reason why I think our letters to each other are so important for all of us. We are getting to know each other, and talk about our differences, and talk about all the wonderful things we have in common. We are teaching the world how to love each other even when we live so far apart. When Grandmother Shelley comes to see you, her hugs are sharing our love with you. We sure appreciate Grandmother Shelley being our arms for you.
If you are feeling worried or afraid, I can understand that. I sometimes feel that way as well. I think it is important for you to know that your father, Tefsa, and other adults around you, are there to listen to your worries. When I am afraid, I know I can talk to my sister, or my dearest friends, and they comfort me. I am so glad that you have one another so you can share your feelings together. Sharing our feelings really helps us to feel less afraid.
One thing I can do when I am feeling worried or afraid is I can draw or paint a picture to relieve my feelings. I can even use my talents to paint pictures which help me express my difficult feelings. Painting a picture often makes me feel so happy, because I am using my gifts to create something beautiful. I also find that sitting down and writing helps to ease my difficult feelings. It doesn’t even have to be about anything serious. Just writing a story even helps me to relax and feel better. Another thing I might do is play a game with my friends. That usually makes me laugh. What are some things that you can do to help you feel a bit better when you are afraid or worried?
I have seen pictures of all of you celebrating birthdays, and other special occasions. I feel like we should all find more reasons to celebrate together. What if we celebrated Friendship? What if we made a special day each year where Friendship is the theme. What fun things could we do? Perhaps we would each send a card to one special friend. We could do something fun like sit and watch a movie together, and eat sweet snacks. We would have to come up with a perfect song about friendship, and then sing it all together. We would need a friendship dance, and a special friendship handshake as well. What fun we could have making up a new celebration for friendship.
I love food - so much. I saw you celebrating Mangos, I think? What a great idea. I am thinking it would be so fun to celebrate one of my favourite foods - Pizza. I want an International Pizza Day. On that day, everyone could celebrate pizzas. Do you eat pizza? It is one of my favourite fun foods. Here in Canada, we can make or buy pizzas with just about any toppings - even pineapple, and anchovies (you might have to google what an anchovy is, and I think you will be surprised). We start with a bread dough, flattened out by spinning it in the air. Then we spread a sauce on the dough, usually a spicy tomato sauce. After that, we layer on whatever we like to put on a pizza. I usually put peppers and mushrooms and spicy meat, and of course, pineapple. Shredded cheese then covers the whole thing, and into the oven it goes. Yummy!!!! Hot and delicious. You children have given me a great idea! Celebrating yummy things!
It is fun to imagine wonderful things we can celebrate together. It helps us to think a little bit less about our worries, and more about how fun it is to share time together. I am certain that the children of Tefsa’s shelter know that your Father, your friends here at Friends Ink! and your many supporters here in Canada and in Ethiopia understand that sometimes things are scary and sometimes it is hard not to worry. All of us want you to know that we are here to comfort you and encourage you. Keep focused on the things you can control - like your school work, like your kindness/volunteer projects, like your tasks at the shelter, and remember that so many people love you.
Next time Grandma Shelley hugs you, picture all of your friends here at Friends, Ink! We love each and every one of you. I wonder if we each keep setting good examples of love and acceptance, and if we keep working hard at supporting each other and encouraging each other, if the world will see our example, and want to follow us? Let’s imagine that is true! We are making the world a better place simply by loving each other.
Until next time, goodbye from Patti, writing for Friends Ink!