Sadako and the 1,000 Paper Cranes

I’ll be honest, I never quite know what to do on September 11th.

It’s always a strange day for me.  Every year, it feels like just yesterday when I watched the Twin Towers collapse on TV from a thousand miles away.  Every year, I feel uncomfortably nervous all day long.  Every year, I wonder how the loved ones of those that died on 9/11 have patched their lives together.  Every year, I feel like I should do something even if I don’t know what something is.

photo by djeyewater

Well, this year I have an idea.  I’m starting a tradition with M.  Inspired by the true story of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes*, every year from now on we will make paper cranes together to commemorate September 11th.  I really like traditions; plus, this one does double duty.  Origami paper cranes are an ancient symbol of peace made popular by Sadako, a little girl that lived in Hiroshima during the atomic bombing near the end of WWII.  More, this activity will be a springboard for talking about some “big ideas” related to September 11th with M.  M is still young, so I think this year we’ll associate our peace crane with a regular discussion around the house these days – “being kind and gentle to others.”  In my mind, it’s the discussions we’ll have that’s really the heart of this new tradition.  The pretty paper crane is a bonus.

Alas, I know what to do today…and next year…and next…

To make origami paper cranes with your own kiddos, click here for really cool 3D instructions.

I shall write peace upon your wings,

and you shall fly around the world

so that children will no longer have to die this way.

~Sadako

*Note: The children’s book Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr is recommended for upper elementary aged children because of its graphic content.