Senzeni na? (What have we done?)

We are at Day #73 for 2016.  I was tired for most of 3/13/16, but I attribute that to more to the fact that it was "Spring Forward" Day as well as to the fact that I stayed up to watch SNL last night (#Time-SleepManagementIssues).  It was another Sunday filled with kids' activities, from dyeing egg shells (for the Easter cascarones) after Church with the Youth Group, to sitting in the rain for two hours watching Alexa and her team play soccer (and win 1-0!), and finishing up with a Little League Board Meeting, planning for a successful 2016 season.  But I reached down into my energy reserve that was filled this morning with our Church Choir's anthem.  Holly Phares (who is our Artist in Residence this year) introduced us to this South African Hymn which translates to "what have we done?"  During Lent, of course, the question is likely directed to the crucifixion of Jesus.  But lately, I have been thinking "what have we done?" in relation to the state of discourse in America today.  I am, of course, talking about the political scene from Trump and the Republicans to awful things being said by radical Hillary and Bernie supporters.  But also just general discourse in America today, from FB rants, to online comments on webpages, to cyber-bullying, to peaceful protests that turn violent, it could seem that hope for the future of America is lost.  Then, as I watched the video on You Tube of the South African Youth Choir, I thought of how this diverse ensemble would have been impossible to conceive during the Apartheid-South Africa.  And I, again, though back to the panel of diverse and thoughtful 8th graders on the panel with Alexa this past week. Truly, what HAVE we (the adults) done?  I have hope that the next generation will be more thoughtful and healing than we have been.  So Senzeni na, while not a TRADITIONAL hymn, becomes my hymn of the week - and I will listen to it as the week progresses, both for its beautiful harmonies, but also for its remembrance of transgressions of the past and the hope for healing in the future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fDU1PYWT8A