A WORD FROM TURTLE

"A Patch in the Quilt"

Lately, the news has been very grim.  Since September 11, 2001, America has been struggling to comprehend the events of that day. The overwhelming number of people affected by this tragedy continues to rise, becoming too great a number to count.  A number which includes nations, not just from America, but from around the world.  In our grief, we wonder how someone could harbor so much hate. We are a world stunned at the moment with the atrocities of September 11. Many thousands of people are grieving the loss of friends, coworkers, parents, brothers, sisters...loved ones.  We will recover, but it will take time. We are a nation of many colors, which when blended make a diverse and interesting quilt.  The quilt is held together by the threads of humanity.  The very thing that gives America it's strength.  We are a people of many different religions, many different ethnic backgrounds.  Each religion, each ethnic background forms it's own colored patch and joins the quilt of America.  The quilt is strong, providing warmth and comfort to its people. When we attack the very heart of America, passing judgment on a particular race, or religion, we are attacking the very cloth of our quilt, causing stress on the threads of humanity, causing the patch to fall from the quilt. The Acorn Tree is a strong believer of peace, with all nations, all religions.  We are urging all Americans to come together as one.  Please do not attack someone just because he "looks", or is Islamic, Arabic, or Muslim.  These people who have made America their home, are Americans, many having lived here for generations.  They too have lost loved ones in this tragedy.  They too, wonder and grieve.  They too, hurt and are afraid.  Let's not allow the quilt of America to fall apart with fear.