three things we love

These subway shelter images really hit home to me. Thinking of my mother, who ran a day care center in London during the Blitz.

How to Help Ukraine & Talk to Children about the war

Thanks to Daneen Akers and Valarie Kaur of the book Holy Troublemakers Unconventional Saints.

And an excellent resource on how to talk to children here.

Note: Clicking on the photos in this blog will often lead to further links to explore.

Humanitarian Paul Farmer (1959-2022)

I usually don't post obituaries here because my blog is all about uplifting spirits but Paul Farmer was truly one of the greats, if not the greatest, in the field of health equity and social justice--and his life serves as an inspiration to us all. Paul Farmer died unexpectedly in his sleep this week of cardiac arrest at the young age of 62. The world has literally lost a savior.

Founder of the Boston-based global non-profit Partners in Health with a list of impressive accomplishments, impeccable credentials and projects a mile long, Paul Farmer was renowned for providing health care to millions of impoverished people throughout the world, beginning with his work in Haiti. Partners in Health currently has projects continuing in Haiti, Rwanda, Lesotho, Malawi, Mexico, Peru, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Russia, and the Navajo Nation.
If you are interested in learning more about this true humanitarian and his organization's work focusing on delivering the highest quality of health care while addressing the critical social and systemic forces causing inequities, writer Tracy Kidder's book about him entitled "Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World" is a good place to start. And his story is also told in the documentary Bending the Arc.

Above all, Farmer will be remembered as an extraordinary human who inspired others with his selfless work. Information below to donate to his non profit Partners in Health.

A Little Comic Relief

The joy of Mark Morris L’Allegro, Il Penseroso ed il Moderato

And now for a little comic relief (God knows I need it!) and a little uplift sandwiched in between two columns of sadness..

7 year old Drew Barrymore on the Johnny Carson Show

a song from everyone's favorite P.S. 22 Chorus

and a simply exquisite excerpt from Mark Morris' L'Allegro, Il Penseroso ed il Moderato (to be performed again at BAM at the end of March)

Wildred Owen Poem

To quote Jane Potter, author of Wilfred Owen: An Illustrated Life, "...Owen is the “Poet of Pity,” whose realistic portrayals of war gave voice to the soldier wounded, captured, or killed—not just in the Great War but in every war since, so great is the evocative power of his work. Although he saw only five poems published during his lifetime, Owen left behind a wealth of letters and poetry that together form a powerful legacy."

Anthem for Doomed Youth
Wilfred Owen

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles’ rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes.
The pallor of girls’ brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

Charity of the Week:
Paul Farmer's Partners In Health

Painting of the Week

About The Author

New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow created the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her and her art, visit her website and check out the essay written by the Hammond Museum's Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow. And by the way, let me know in the comment section what you think of the new haircut...