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America's White Table by Margot Theis Raven

11/4/2015

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​The word that comes to mind when I think of November is "remembrance." The month begins with All Saint's Day - a day that Protestant religions remember those that have died before us. Next, we have Veteran's Day on November 11th, also known as Remembrance Day or Armistice Day, the day the Armistice was signed to end World War I. The month wraps up with Thanksgiving, a time to remember and be thankful for all the many blessings we have been given.  

This week's featured #TakingCareThurs book, America's White Table, by Margot Theis Raven, is a book that helps us remember those that have served and given their lives for our country. The "white table" is a little-known tradition that honors members of the armed forces that are held prisoners of war or are missing in action. The tradition originated during the Vietnam War and is a shared experience that helps us understand the sacrifice these men and women have made for our country.

The small table is set with a white cloth to represent the soldier's pure heart. A lemon slice and grains of salt are placed on the table to show the captive soldier's bitter fate and the tears of their loved ones. A black napkin is placed on the table to represent sorrow and the glass is turned over for a meal that won't ever be eaten. A white candle adorns the table as a symbol of peace and finally, a red rose is placed in a vase tied with a ribbon to symbolize hope. 

It's just a little white table.... but I looked at it all dinner long, and in the quiet inside me I could almost hear the silent soldiers of the empty chair saying: 

Remember us, please....


Then in the salt on the little white table...."I traced in the grains of their families' tears - what each man and woman who serves America is to me, a...... HERO."


This is a beautifully written and illustrated book that helps our young people understand the importance of honoring our veterans and feeling gratitude during this month of remembrance. 

Margot Theis Raven - America's White Table



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This book salutes these bravest of our brave with the POW flag motto: 

You are not forgotten
So long as there is one left in whom your memory remains.  
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    #TakingCareThurs

    Teachers (and parents, of course!) have the potential to make a huge impact on the lives of their students/kids. Join me and commit to reading a picture book every Thursday or the first Thursday of the month if you can't commit to weekly with "Taking Care of Others" or "Taking Care of Ourselves" themes in order to help our students/children learn important traits like empathy, compassion, friendship, persistence,  grit, and more! Join me weekly as I blog about our book of the week. Make sure to tweet your weekly choice using the hashtag #TakingCareThurs so we can share books and learn from each other. 

    Disclaimer: I am not a counseling professional. The books presented here are suggested solely upon personal experience with the books and my students. 

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