First, I want to thank Maria for her quite wonderful sketch called “Coronavirus Hug.” She went for a walk with two friends yesterday, and since they couldn’t hug one another in the usual way, they came up with the Coronavirus Hug, hands up and out, in a circle,  eight to ten feet away.

This inspired this sketch, which I predict will one day be a magnet, poster, postcard, or fiber painting.

I also want to thank Mary Hogan Gerber, a blog reader, who gave me the idea for this letter to my country, which I wrote this morning: “We have the potential to be much better and stronger than the ugly side of America that has stolen the media attention for far too many months,” Mary wrote. “It’s time to Make America Kind Again.” Thanks, Mary.

My letter:

Dear America, 

It’s time to make America kind again.

I love you, my country, for welcoming people,

not excluding them.

For helping the poor,

not blaming them for their suffering.

For lifting people up,

not tearing them down.

For helping us find common ground,

not tearing us apart

For listening,

not shouting

For community,

not self-interest.

For sharing our wealth,

not hoarding it

For uniting when we need to,

not dividing for selfish gain

For being the most beautiful melting pot,

not a cold and heartless moat.

For lifting your lamp beside the golden door,

not slamming it shut

For being a beacon to the world,

not a walled fortress with ugly spikes on the walls.

I love you, most of all for your great

and troubled heart. 

Make America Kind Again,

Be well, get well, Jon Katz, Bedlam Farm, May 28, 2020