Beauty in sharing

Thank you, Spokesman-Review, for printing Mandy Manning’s article “What we are as a nation: welcoming.” (June 15, 2018) Spokane is fortunate to have Mandy Manning representing us as National Teacher of the Year.

Thanks to Mandy for the courage to speak truth. She wrote, “It has been my privilege and honor to teach many newcomer immigrants and refugees here in Spokane for the past seven years and to witness the beauty they bring to our community.”

I too have witnessed the beauty immigrants and refugees bring to our community as a member of Fowler United Methodist Church. Several immigrant and refugee families have joined our faith community in the past two years. Beauty abounds. Beauty in sharing music with one another, beauty in sharing our stories with one another, beauty in cooking for one another, beauty in becoming teachers for one another. My heart is grateful that fear of the unknown did not keep us from welcoming these families. The poet Hafiz wrote, “Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I’d like to see you in better living conditions.”

As we welcome those seeking safety and a place to thrive, the beauty around us increases and we all experience better living conditions.

Tamara Kennedy-Gibbens

Spokane