Tsuru

One of Beth’s students at the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School recently approached a teacher and school administrators with a request. Cranes or "tsuru" in Japanese, are possibly one of the oldest birds on earth and have a long history in Japanese traditions and legends. Legend holds that the crane lives for a thousand years so cranes have come to serve as a symbol of peace and long life. Folded paper cranes are given to people who are ill to wish them a quick recovery. It is said that anyone who folds 1,000 paper origami cranes will have their heart’s desire come true. The student suggested that the students in the school could produce 1,000 origami cranes on Beth’s behalf. On Friday four large boxes were left on the Davis’ doorstep. Inside were approximately 1,500 swans in every conceivable color and size. Many included notes of encouragement. We have shown Beth a large sample of the handiwork and she was greatly moved. She selected one particularly colorful swan to keep at her bedside (space is seriously limited in the ICU). We will carefully preserve all of the swans for her to see and enjoy when she recovers a little more. The family is appreciative of this wonderful gesture and we thank everyone who participated.

Jim