My friend Regina, came to church today and the children openly welcomed her and didn’t make fun of her large hands or strange-looking face or the fact that she wears a wig and has no hair because of the cancer treatments.  And then we sang Daniel Nahmod’s “One Power.” “There’s one power … it’s the power of the love in you and me.”

Three brave men tried to thwart an anti-Muslim rant and attack on two women in Portland, Oregon.  Ricky John Best and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche died in that attack. Young poet Micah David-Cole Fletcher remains in hospital and wrote this poem shortly after the attack: “I am alive/ I spat in the eye of hate and lived/This is what we must do for one another/We must live for one another/We must fight for one another/We must die in the name of freedom if we have to.”

Ricky and Taliesin died, knowing and believing in “the power of love in you and me.”  Micah and the children in church who greeted Regina with such love, know about “the power of love in you and me” that is stronger than hatred.  We must hold onto that truth … ‘real’ truth … not alternative truth.

There is power in love.

Photo & Text © June Maffin
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