P52 Photo Challenge - I Dreamed a Dream - Week 3

Monday, January 16th, was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. There is an excerpt from one of MLK's famous speeches ("I have a dream...") that most people have heard many times.

However, in reading the entire speech, there are many parts that are not as frequently heard. One of the parts that stands out for me is this part:

"We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force ..... They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone."

Koi fish taken at Sea Life at Mall of America

on Olivia's 9th Birthday.

(Photo taken on January 18, 2012.)

Why fish for a picture about MLK and "I Dreamed a Dream" theme? When I think of these koi, I remember that just moments before they were peacefully swimming in the water. It was a very serene image.

As we walked by, the koi gathered together quickly and demanded our attention...not in a physically-aggressive way, but by their sheer number in such a relatively small area. 

Even as different fish pushed their way to the forefront, they weren't hurting one another - they were just making us stop, look, and appreciate how beautiful they were (and make us want to feed them).

"We cannot walk alone." I reflect also on MLK's statement as we celebrated Olivia's ninth birthday on January 18th (when we saw the koi fish).

Nine years ago this week, Olivia was born in China. Five days later (on January 23rd), Olivia was found in a basket in the middle of the town square, her mother having made a very difficult decision to provide her daughter with the opportunity for a new life.

Thankfully, ten months later Olivia joined our family and  has since blessed us and others countless times with her gifts of compassion, laughter, determination, and creativity.

She has gone through many challenges in her short life so far (with her health, vision, learning, and sensory issues), but does not complain. She tries to overcome challenges that she is presented with...sometimes on her own and sometimes with the help of others. Truly, bringing home MLK's words: "We cannot walk alone."