A Letter to the President
One year ago…
Our daughter was putting on her shoes and heading to the mailbox. I asked her, “What are you doing, honey?”
She responds, “I am mailing a letter to the president.”
I paused, “Ahhhhh, what is the letter about and where did you find an address?”
She says matter-of-factly, “I googled it.” (An obvious response, but one has to admire the gumption.)
And she continues, “The letter is asking all responding in a crisis (first responders, moms and dads, people on the street) to be kind and compassionate.” She goes on to say, “If an individual is living with a mental illness, a high stress situation makes it worse. These individuals are misunderstood and only trying to do the right thing with an illness that can be disabling. They wish they were not sick and probably doing the best they can.”
Pretty powerful letter and reminder from an 11-year-old girl that had just recently been diagnosed with acute anxiety and severe panic disorder.
One year later…this same girl (with all her courage and tenacity) received a note back from the president…
Dear Anna,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Vice President Harris and I love hearing from students. Even at your young age, you have the power to change the future and make history.
Our country faces many challenges, and the work we have ahead of us is going to be really tough. I’m certain that if we set aside our differences and come together, we will make positive change. It won’t be easy, and I’m going to need your help.
I urge you to remain curious, creative and fearless. Students like you are the future of our great Nation, and it’s important that you speak up on the issues that matter most. When you make your voice heard, adults listen.
I wish you the best in the years ahead and look forward to seeing where your future takes you. Study hard. Keep challenging yourself. And be kind.
Sincerely,
Joe Biden
Anna reminds all of us to not to cower in the face of adversity and to empower our voices/our stories. She inspires us to be brave, stand tall and advocate for the change that is needed. I sit here shaking my head - once again she has taught me to set the “what ifs, “not likely” or “fear of shame” aside - you just never know when a small voice might be heard by the office of the president…you just never know…
