Best Practice
NOTES
|
|
| Vol. 6, Nos. 3 & 4 | On Delivery of Legal Assistance to Older Persons |
April 1994 |
We began this issue of Best Practice Notes with inspirational words from Dr. Arthur Flemming on safeguarding the rights of our Nation's most vulnerable elders. We end it with a poem of inspiration, hope, and a vision of the role we all must play in that effort. It is authored by the twelve-year-old son of Paul Lichterman and Norma Brooks, Daniel Lichterman.
Each year since 1986 when the Lichterman Award was first bestowed on Arthur Flemming, Daniel has presented the award plaque. In 1992 and 1993, those of us who attended the Awards Luncheon at the Joint Conference on Law & Aging had the good fortune to witness Daniel move from presenting the plaque, to addressing the entire Conference. It is an experience we will long cherish. In 1993, Daniel's words took the form of poetry, and he delivered a message that very much reflects the philosophy of his father regarding the inherent value of all persons and the significant contribution each one of us can and should make to the betterment of humankind.
For those readers who were unable to hear Daniel at the 1993 Awards Luncheon, we give you here a copy of his original text.
A tributary flows
giving life to the rivers
It flows not to make itself bigger or stronger
but to give
to the mighty rivers
Soon the tributary is finished giving
and the rivers can
hold their own
With an inner calm and determination,
the tributary has
nourished the waterways.
But it has also enriched its own waters
with minerals and nutrients
as it swept along the banks,
journeying its humble way.
In time, the rivers grow strong enough
to help others in need
spreading goodness through the world
We can be the Tributaries
that network across the earth
form hand to hand, from door to door
helping people everywhere
bestowing a gift of priceless worth
to ourselves
and
people of the world.