Dearest Mother,

We were going through your letters today, and we came upon the last one you sent us chastising us for our shortcomings and causing the downfall of the family. You warned us of our behaviours. That you wouldn’t accept them for much longer. Today we woke up, Mother. We know it’s taken much too long, but today we begin to make amends for our past transgressions.

We understand your hurt. You are more than entitled to it. We have forsaken you for far too long. You’re right, you deserve appreciation everyday instead of a holiday here and there. You deserve so much more from us. You are our Mother. The one who gives us life, shelter and food. You’ve given all you can. We know this. And in return, all me and my siblings have done is take, take, take.

As far as our inheritance goes, we don’t deserve it. We’ve spent more than our fair share in far too few years. Please save it for our grandchildren, and their grandchildren. We can do without it.

Keep the rest of the oil, we know we can use the sun, the wind, the water. We know how to use these other things that won’t hurt you so badly, and won’t destroy the rest of the family that shares this home with us. Speaking of water, we’ll strive to fix that too. We promise to you Mother, we’re going to bring about change. We’re going to prove to you that not all of us want to murder you.

We no longer want to build a world aimed at worshipping money, some of us never really did anyways. We’re trying for a change. We want a world where all of us are equal. Where none of us go without. Where every single part of our family is loved and cared for. And most of all, you and the rest of the family are cared for.

The times are changing, Mother. We were lied to. We were misled. We were asleep.

We’re fighting back now.

Some of the family is slow to wake up though. They don’t realize yet how badly we have hurt you. How badly we have destroyed all you have given us. They are so preoccupied with this thing called money made from your trees, instead of caring for those very trees that give us the air we all breathe! Can you imagine that Mother? A worship of money, instead of love and harmony for all of us, from the smallest of creatures, to the largest.

We know you’re done with our wars, and our fighting. We understand that this home was meant for all of us, not just a few. We’re trying Mother. We really are. So few of us actually believe in those wars. We’re trying to get the rest of them to listen to us. To understand that the 99% don’t want war, inequality and the continued destruction of our home. That we don’t want to further see our home destroyed, or the animals we share it with obliterated when we know we can do better. When we know there are so many more viable options for everything we do.

We understand that none of us need go hungry, or without the basics you’ve always given us. Simply planting apple trees within our own spaces could do so much. Give you back your trees, help us clear the air and provide free food for all! The ideas are all here. We’d love to start doing them right away, but the 1% Mother, the 1% simply don’t believe, or want nothing for anyone but themselves. We’re trying though. More then we ever have before.

Have you seen what we’ve been doing lately? Have you seen how we have been uniting, no matter where we are from? A day is coming soon, and that’s a promise Mother. A day is coming soon when we will unite and all come together to make a change for the better, a change for the home you’ve been asking us for for far too long. October 15^th Mother, watch us make you proud. Watch your children unite for a better future.

Love,

99% Of Your Children

(Written in response to The Dear Children Letter. http://sylviameier.com/earth-day)