This Passover, Jews around the world are sheltering in their homes as children ask "Why is this night different from all other nights?", even though every night now feels the same.
This Holy Week, Christians across the globe are wondering how to celebrate a resurrection while so many are dying.
This year, millions all over the planet are suffering from the same hunger, illness, exploitation, and insecurity as they did long before - and will long after - COVID-19 gave pause to those of us with privilege.
I rewrote the lyrics to Thiele and Weiss' "What a Wonderful World" to capture my mixed feelings of despair and hope at the moment. Thanks, always, to the brilliant Mr Louis Armstrong, who lived his life in a world that denied him rights and yet still saw great beauty. We owe him and so many others so much more. May we use these days to give it to them.
And please - add a verse! What's giving you hope these days? Share a few lines in the comments. ☺
I see war and greed
Famine and flu
All of our hate
Will kill me and you
And I think to myself
What a hurt, broken world
I hear thousands cry
Trauma and woe
We've caused more harm
Than we even know
Yet I hope to myself
We might heal this hurt world
The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the skies
Are also on the masks worn
By nurses saving lives
I see strangers cross streets
Waving "How do you do?"
Keeping their distance
To save you
I see love so deep
And smiles so bright
Kids calling grandma
To FaceTime good night
And I think to myself
There is hope for this world
I see milk dropped off
For Old John next door
Hands lending aid
Without keeping score
And I know in my heart
We could heal this hurt world
Yes, I ask you today
Help me heal this hurt world
