a start
In December of 2007 I learned that Marie Clay was my second cousin, once removed. Which is quite distant I suppose as relations go. But still, it was a buzz to know that I was related to one of the world's most renowned teachers.
I got sent a copy of The Journal of Reading Recovery dedicated to her, which closed with extracts from a poem by Maya Angelou.
My wish for you
Is that you continue
Continue
To be who and how you are
To astonish a mean world
With your acts of kindness
Continue
To allow your humor to lighten the burden
Of your tender heart
Continue
To put the mantle of your protection
Around the bodies of
The young and defenseless
Continue
To ignore no vision
Which comes to enlarge your range
And increase your spirit
Continue
To dare to love deeply
And risk everything
For the good thing
Continue
And by doing so
You and your work
Will be able to continue
Eternally
That's what I hope this will be about.