Let's Fold Cranes

The story of a thousand cranes is an ancient Japanese story about a magical emperor who's people were sick. The people came to him to seek wellness so he in turn said to them, "Fold a thousand cranes and the Gods will grant you a wish." The people did as he said and wished to be well again, and like he said the Gods granted their wish and made them well again.
Another is the story of Sadako Sasaki who lived in Hiroshima, Japan. When she was only two years old her mother and grandmother were with her in their kitchen when the atomic bomb fell on Hiroshima. Her grandmother passed away from Leukemia, and about ten years later Sadako was diagnosed with Leukemia as well. Her time in the hospital was long, so her best friend told her the story of the emperor and taught her how to fold a paper crane. Sadako folded 644 cranes before she passed away, and her classmates folded the rest for her.
These stories may be sad, but that is not the reason why they are told. They are told because they give a fire like tool that envelopes the reader in warmth. It gives you hope. Hope is like an eternal flame that never goes out. It is passed down from generation to generation in thoughts, prayers and stories like these.
This week one of my best friends, Meredith Boyce, was a victim to something beyond our control; she had a seizure. This is a horrible event, that I doubt any of us could have foreseen, foretold or prevented. Meredith is now at MUSC in Charleston where she is in good hands. But while she is in good hands that gives us no reason to continue on like this has not happened, and we won't. Meredith is in the backs of our minds where ever we go, with every step we take our hope burns within us. We are like a giant flaming 8th grade! We can't help but think of Meredith and so we cast our light of hope out across the state to our classmate and friend who needs every bit of hope we can rally.
These stories show us that hope can go a long way and can be exhibited in many forms. Meredith deserves our hope and our support every waking moment, so I challenge you. All of you 8th graders, and any other griffins or friends alike, to take a stand and join me in folding a thousand cranes to send to Meredith to remind her that even though we are not physically with her, we are with her in spirit.