pegkerr | This one's for Delia, my budding artist (Reply)

There's a story in The Atlantic here that's very heartwarming that I want to draw to your attention. It's about a young man whose life was saved by art, and specifically, by the well-timed of compassionate adults, especially an author/illustrator who visited his classroom, looked at his drawing, and said, 'Nice cat.'

To all we are thankful for today, let us now add the blessing of art and the magic of the human imagination. Let us now be thankful for the expression of gratitude itself, by someone who has chosen to give back to his community after receiving so much from it. And let's be thankful for all those among us who refuse to allow their pasts or their presents to dictate their futures.

Below is a presentation given last month at Hampshire College by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, an author and illustrator of children's books. Take the time to watch it, especially with your children and grandchildren if you are lucky enough to have them close by. It's such a sweet story, such an American story, with such a profound lesson about the need to cultivate and defend the creativity in ourselves and in our nation's schools.