Why This?

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.

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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

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That's what I hope this will be about.