What Is Given from the Heart

What Is Given from the Heart

Picture book
Patricia McKissack's What Is Given from the Heart is a
touchingly beautiful book, made more for its simplicity and
directness. When James Otis loses his father his mother cries. She
has no suit to bury her husband in. They lose their farm and have to
move to a run down shack. Their dog disappears.
The next year their minister tells the congregation about a
woman and her daughter who have lost everything in a fire. He asks
them to bring anything they could possibly use to church. He tells
them that what is given from the heart teaches the heart.
James Otis' mother turns the only pretty thing she has--a white
tablecloth--into an apron for the mother. She urges him to give
something to the girl. But what can a child with so little have for
her?
You'll have to read the book to find out.
In contrast to the family in the book, most of us have a great
plenty even if it doesn't always feel that way. What can we give from
the heart in the form not only of material goods, but of time and
caring?
On a personal note, it reminds me of the relationship between dining
services and Black Bear Exchange. Our non student workers are far
from rich. Some even have to support families on these low wage
jobs. But when the truck comes around to collect unused foods for the
food pantry they are do excited to be helping food insecure students,
some with families, get by.
A great big shout out goes out to those workers who are some of the
most down-to-earth, caring friends a person can find in this world.
jules hathaway


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