Messages to the Children  ~  Foreword

To the Children of September 11, 2001:

   This book is about the comfort other children offer you so you may feel better.

   Their art teacher, Dianne Brudnicki, was in Europe on September 11 and was thus unable to return to her home near Seattle, Washington, as scheduled. While detained, she was wrought with grave concern for the tragedy in our nation. Her students at the Legacy Co-op -- a school tucked in the Cascade foothills some twenty-five miles east of Seattle -- awaited her return. They are seven years old to seventeen years old, of various religions and faiths, boys, girls, different races, some natural artists, most not.

   Shaken by the events, when Ms. Brudnicki returned to class, she told the children they would have a new art project. They were asked to use art as a message. Kind of a vocabulary from their hearts, through their paintbrushes, to you. She asked her students to put themselves in your place and feel what it would be like to have just lost thier parent or grandparent or aunt or uncle in such a horrible way. She asked the children to feel what you feel. To be with you in this way.

   Many were quiet. Some had tears in their eyes. All were sad.

   "Now, I want you to be their friend," she said. "What would give these children hope? What would make them feel love? Encouragement? Peace? The best place to look for that is what would make you feel better if you were these children."

   And the students responded from deep within themselves making a list of all those things that comfort them: their dog, the ocean, tall trees, flowers, teddy bears, sunshine. The ideas were as diverse as the art students. For isn't healing a personal thing?

   The project began. Over a three-week period, each student took their own inspiration and translated it into a painting. A watercolor painting. Half of the children had never painted before in watercolor! Ms. Brudnicki gave them a very basic lesson in the technique but was much more focused on letting her students go. And the students focused on giving you hope. Giving you encouragement. Painting you comfort.

   From the unfiltered minds of impassioned, young people like you came this collection of water-colored hope. There is something very pure in the brushstrokes -- a knowledge that only other children can identify and share. Some knew to offer elaborate landscapes where the presence of nature gives undeniable peace. Others knew to paint their dog whose brown nose and loving eyes never fail to understand a child's needs. And others knew to give you the promise of God's word surrounded by blue skies, butterflies, and rainbows.

   Samuel spent twenty-seven hours on his painting, meticulously detailing the rose so well that you can almost feel its petals. Stephanie's house on the island stood bravely alone until she thoughtfully added trees as if the house needed friends. Jerry's painting, "Rainbow and Flowers," took extraordinary effort because he has special needs. Each child worked very hard to convey what they felt would give you encouragement. They gave you what they loved, seeing healing the way you might.

   The original seventy-five compelling paintings will be given to the children of New York's perished firefighters. But the works here are for all of you who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. These art students did not know you, but they call you friend. They did not feel your loss, but they feel sadness for you. They believe in the beautiful, pure things that heal. May at least one of their messages touch your soul so that you know that, indeed, a friend can always make it feel better.

   God bless you as you receive their messages of hope, love, and peace.

   Connie J. Petersen