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Throughout the past 12 years, students all around Israel have been learning the poem "Grandmother", and been inspired by its message. Now that we officially have relations with the country of Baharain, where the poet Ms. Sameeneh Shirazie lives and teaches, we can finally send her our impressions, our thanks, and our warm wishes.

Truly good literature, touches us. Please add your impressions and anecdotes about how this poem touched you. This board will be shared with Ms. Shirazee.
Thanks!
Adele

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My opinion about the song is tha song is really beaautiful and ii appreciate your sensitiviyy and my grandmother has dementia and i felt like i was connecting to the song whan you said "and not really my grandmother" i felt i understood you becuse i feel that way too. i remember my grandmother was healthy and she had a lot of power/ and now its really sad.
from Merav in Israel

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A 17-year-old student who read about his human being, a professional and great writer like you, this in itself is a pride for me and for all of my class. When I read your poem, I aroused curiosity about your vision. 😍😍 form aseel zagarnh

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After reading your poem I felt guilty that I didn't discuss with my grandma about events that happened on her day where after the English class ended I went ran to my grandma and helped in her works  and  I cooked for hers We also  discussed On subjects that bother her I wish of my God to keep my grandmather for us
❤️❤️❤️

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Dear ms : SAMINA SHIRAZIE
after reading your poem l  feel conscientios about caring for my grand mother
You poen tought me  not to leave my grand mother alone and to visit during periods of closeness to  make her complain about her worries to me
To feeling it beautiful in all cases  she does not feel thet she is growing old .

From:Rawan

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To dear Sameeneh Shirazie
After l read and understand well your poem i knew we do not listen to our grandmother and grandfather , they want to talk about things are important to them, but they are not important to us at all , they want to share their feelings with someone , we don't care about them so they feel lonely. I learned that l  must give my grandmother and grandfather all  the love and caring so as not to make them feel that their are alone and that we do not care about their feelings .
From : Boshra Alnsasra💖 ,
Lakiya Villag , Israel

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Thanks for the beautiful poem that makes us feel how old people in our society feel. our grandfathers and grandmothers  are old and have sayings to speak and they want someone to listen care for them.

from _ ibtehal
Massage location _ Al
laqyya _ Israel

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Dear ms. Shirazie

You taught me how much I should care about all the elderly and my grandmother who is far away, the elderly person wants attention, but he will not say that, because he wants to see the smile on your face ... My grandmother is the most precious thing I had, she was still alive, but after her departure I do not feel life and  But after your writing, I realized that we should take care of all the elderly and my grandmother who is far away. Thank you ♥.

From : Safaa Bader
Message location: Al-Lqayya, Israel

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Dear Samina, I watched your program and it affected me so much that we made me go to visit my grandmother and exchange concerns together. I wish you a life free of sorrows full of happiness and the sender: Areej from her country, Israel

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Dear Samina, I watched your program and it affected me so much that we made me go to visit my grandmother and exchange concerns together. I wish you a life free of sorrows full of happiness and the sender: Areej from her country, Israel

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If you have free time, you must visit the grandmother, but she needs some help, she does not say that, but she is really bored on her own and also wants someone who sits next to her and tells him stories and some stories and feeds him who eats, but the grandmother's food is delicious.  Do not neglect your grandmother!  Because everything you say about life is a fact, and you do not say it in vain

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Our grandmothers and grandfathers are true, they are old, and they do not understand with the narration that we are talking about, except that they have words to speak and they want someone to hear

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Ms. Shirazi I really adore your profound poem which is on one hand simple and accessible to my students but on the other hand full of massages that I think they need them these days. I'm writing this message as a young Bedouin teacher who found your poem a great chance to communicate with my students and find points that will make me closer to them. since your society is very close to the Arab Bedouin society my students were able to identify with you as a granddaughter of a traditional Muslim family. I really thank you for giving me and them this chance and I hope one day you can visit us and we can meet here. Best wishes 💙

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I think your poem is beautiful. I find it very relatable and it's makes us understand how the elderly people in our society feel.
Maya

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I can really relate to the poem, because it opened my eyes to the lonely reality that our elders have to face.

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In my opinion, your poem presents a poetic image of the life of old people, which are actually our grandparents. Moreover, your poem rises a deep question about old people, what are they exactly? For some they are parents. For some they are grandparents. And for others they are just old life. I also think that the poem shows us the importance of taking care of our grandparents.
Your poem is wri
tin beautifully, and I want to tell you I really enjoyed it.
Sincerely,
Dael
Israel

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I like how you present the difference between an old life we would pass by and someone we know. It's crazy to think how everyone we meet at the street, hospital or supremarket have a life of their own. And it is crazier to think that for them, our grandma is just an old life they would pass by
Libby

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Dear Sameeneh                 I teach your moving and inspiring poem every year to my 12 th graders .I would like to share my gratitude with you for writing such a beautiful and meaningful poem whose message my students take with them as a life lesson.            Gratefully yours             Sara Vatik               Excellent English Language School 

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Dear Sameeneh                 I teach your moving and inspiring poem every year to my 12 th graders .I would like to share my gratitude with you for writing such a beautiful and meaningful poem whose message my students take with them as a life lesson.            Gratefully yours             Sara Vatik               Excellent English Language School 

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My name is Sara, I am a retired English teacher from Israel. I have taught your poem "Grandmother" many times to 10th grade EFL students. One of the things I remember the most is how almost all of the students found a personal connection with the poem. We heard many stories in class about their grandmothers. One boy almost cried when we studied the poem, he said he was remembering his grandmother who had passed away a month earlier.
Your beautiful poem helped my students develop a connection to literature and empathy towards other people. And for that I thank you!
Wishing you many years of health, happiness and poems,
Sara Gabai
Gan Yavne, Israel

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I have been reading, teaching and enjoying your poem "Grandmother" for many years. Last March, the pandemic arrived at our doorstep, and turned the whole world upside down. Teaching your poem during such uncertain times provided an opportunity to connect with my students who were missing their own grandparents.

Thank you for the amazing gift of your poem, "Grandmother".

Sincerely,

Ms. Michelle
English Teacher
Israel

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My students are currently writing you a post reading letter expressing their reflection of this wonderful poem!
Oriya high school Gush Etzion

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I taught English for many years in Israel.  When we teach literature in Israel, we often discuss different people's perspectives, and this poem is the perfect example - what seems to the young girl to be a simple question, adequately answered by "I'm good..." is for the grandmother a great opportunity to share her world, become closer to her granddaughter, feel included and less lonely.  My students often took this poem quite personally and became closer to their own grandparents.  It is amazing what a simple phone call to ask "How are you?'  will do.  In these times, when the elderly are even more isolated because of the Covid-19, we need to make people aware of their need for contact and outreach. Thank you for this inspiring and meaningful poem!
Sincerely, Judy Cohen

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Dear Ms.Shirazi,
My name is Hagit. I am an English teacher in a school located in the south of Israel. I love your poem so much and I also love teaching it. I usually teach the poem to my students who are in the 10th or 11th grade and I have always seen how they personally identify with its universal message. I believe that learning literary pieces like the poem Grandmother that you wrote, may cause our students to be better people, more aware of the needs of their family members.
Hagit, Kfar Silver

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Your inspiring poem has turned my lesson into a deep moral discussion on our obligation to care for the elderly members of our families. My students related to older aunts and uncles in addition to grandparents. There is no doubt that it raises awareness and helps develop sensitivity to the people we may tend to take for granted. Thank you for your important and wonderful poem.
Talya Klein
Eilat, Israel

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Eva
The poem Grandmother gives us teachers the chance to show that "loneliness" is not about being alone, but about feeling alone.

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My name is Margie, I am a high school teacher/college instructor o English as a Foreign Language.  for students with learning difficulties.
In addition to the to this poem's literary importance, it has also enabled me to find a way to connect with my 'hard-to-reach' students.. It has taken a universal subject and made it real for the students, --no matter what their ethnic backgrounds. (I teach a variety of  students in Israel --Russian, Ethiopian, Rumanian, Sudanese, Bedouin  and more.)
So thank you very much for your wonderful poem!
Margie Cohen-Jackel
Rehovot, Israel

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Dear Sameeneh,
My name is Judy. I am originally from upstate New York. I teach high school boys (with ADD), but the first time I was introduced to your poem, Grandmother, was when I had afternoon lessons with Ethiopian (new) immigrant girls in a dorm in the girls’ school in Kedumim. They actually shared the poem with me that their teacher had taught them. I think they really related to the poem—and I related to it through them. Also teaching it to boys, as part of our English literature matriculation unit here in Israel, I present it with all my heart, remembering my girls who came from a different culture, but emphasizing the closeness we also have with our grandparents in our small and close-knit country of Israel.

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To my young teacher, Sameeneh,              B"SD

You’ve taught us to notice what many pass by until it’s too late & gone.

You’ve taught us to LISTEN, to FEEL the words of others, especially those right underneath our noses!

You’ve taught us to ENGAGE, then appreciate the often-ignored treasures that lay within arm-reach.

You’ve done all of this in the organic wrapping of your dear grandmother.

One more step was needed, hug her tightly!

I’m betting that was obvious to you.

Thank you for your reminders.

Ra'anan Elozory
Jerusalem

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Dear Ms. Shirazie, Teaching your poem in my classroom has inspired me to discuss their family relationships and especially their connection to their grandparents. Using this poem as a reference we also compare between the differences in family ties in different cultures and between the modern and traditional world, the east and west. I would like to thank you for sharing your poem and bringing positive inspiration causing introduction of very important issues into the classroom. Sincerely, Tova Cohen 

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Dear Ms. Shirazie, Teaching your poem in my classroom has inspired me to discuss their family relationships and especially their connection to their grandparents. Using this poem as a reference we also compare between the differences in family ties in different cultures and between the modern and traditional world, the east and west. I would like to thank you for sharing your poem and bringing positive inspiration causing introduction of very important issues into the classroom. Sincerely, Tova Cohen 

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This profound poem made me, the teacher, realize that even as a teenage granddaughter who perhaps erred in not being attentive enough to my grandmother that i have been able to heightened this important awareness amongst my students through your work. This has been deeply healing for all and the world. - Norma Sarit Moas, Israel

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Dear Ms. Shirazie,
Teaching your poem Grandmother" to my students gave them and myself a great chance to think about our own grandparents. The students started to have a different perspective about their grandparents, realizing that maybe they took them for granted. I hope it made them see them as individuals with personal needs. That is, in my opinion, the great value of learning and teaching your poem! Thank you!!
Sima Edery

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I thought your poem "Grandmother" to my 11th grade class earlier this year. At the same time, I also learned how to prepare a "virtual bitmoji classroom" and I decided to prepare one based on the poem. It was really hard finding a picture of you online for the author biography! I am especially proud of the "escape room" that I made for the post reading assignment. I hope you like it.
Rafie Simantov

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Dear Ms. Shirazie,
I have been teaching your poem, gramdmother,  for the last 5 years. Every time we discuss the importance of relationships with our family members, mainly the elderly, I can see the students emerge in thought about their grandparents and the lack of time spent with them. Almost all of them report that while studying the poem they felt the urge to call the grandparents, mainly grandmother, more and visit them more.
Now during the Pandemic, the need to reach out to those lonely elderly, is bigger. And the students experiencing your poem and comprehending its message, reach out to their grandparents even more than before.
I thank you in my name and the name of the students for your contribution to literature and to individual conscience.
Wishing you health and happiness,
Ayala Nahum-Ort Holon Israel.

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7I have been teaching your poem Grandmother for a few years and every year I have a student coming to me and saying:" you made me think of my grandmother and I spoke to her yesterday after a long time". I love teaching your poem because it touches the hearts of my teen students and makes them aware of the importance of being in touch with their grandparents.
Three years ago I too became a proud grandmother 🥰 and I think a lot about my grandmother and how special she was for me. I hope to be a good grandma like she was. When I teach gour poem I think about her with sadness because she lived far away ( in Canada) and was very lonley at the end of her life.
The poem is very powerful and important.
Thank you.
Yifat Edri- Israel

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Dear ms. Shirazie, your poem is an inspiration. My amazing graduates, teens with autism spectrum disorder, read your poem and opened their heart and mind to your words in their own special way (through drawings and music). Thank you for writing such special words.
Orly F.

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I have been teaching your poem for several years. I must tell you, every time I teach it I can see how the students react to it, how it causes them to reflect on their own relationships, and how they are touched my the poem.
Thank you for your beautiful poem, with messages of love, awareness beyond our own needs, and of forming cross-generational relationships.

-Shelly

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Dear Sameeneh
I teach your poem to my students in Israel and it makes them to be more connected to the elderly people and pay attention to them .And eventually they understand that it's not just old life but really their grandmother.

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Sameeneh, your beautiful poem speaks a universal language of love for our grandparents. So many students who have studied your poem suddenly become aware of the importance of  taking the time to relate to grandparents. I personally feel that your poem should be read by all.

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Dear Ms. Shirazie,
Thank you for writing your wonderful poem. I teach English to Bedouin youth, and every year, while studying literary pieces, your poem Grandmother, moves them so. When we read about all the things grandmother does everyday, and how hard those chores are for her, I find my students gazing into space, seeing their hardworking grandmothers before their eyes. We talk about how easy it would have been for them to help her a little more, since they, our students, are so young and strong.. We talk about Grandmother's tasty food when we were small, and about how little time we have for her now. Some grandmothers have passed, and are very much missed. The pupils are eventually invited to write their Grandmothers, here or up there, letters, a task they often find very enjoyable. Their letters are sometimes breathtaking. Thank you for your love and inspiration! Jennifer

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Dear Sameeneh,

Your poem inspired many students to reflect upon their own relationships with their grandparents or their attitude towards elderly in general. That in it self is a great contribution to the development of young people's emotional world and sensitivity towards others. I personally related to the bitter longing sense of looking back and regretting that I did not listen close enough, did not look hard enough and so missed some precious moments with my dear late grandmother.
-Odaya.

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Your poem is very evocative of the a different life style where different generations live together and yet the young Ted to move away emotional my from the older generation and realize too late all the questions they should have asked before their grandparents passed on . I enjoyed teaching your poem and poetry in general . My father read to us as bedtime stories about Christopher Robin and all Edward Lear's poems , Hiyawatha too . That is where my love of poetry springs from

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It is said that literature reflects life. Your beautiful poem "Grandmother" is a case in point. The lonely grandmother, wanting her young granddaughter to share a few moments of her day with her, the slightly impatient young granddaughter who would have preferred to walk by and get on with her young life,  who nevertheless stops for a few moments to talk to her grandmother out of love and respect. These are not only images conjured up from your poem.
In the last year we have all become granddaughters, daughters and grandmothers, understanding the need for warmth, communication and a loving touch between the different generations in our families. "Grandmother" is universal and especially poignant during these unstable and uncertain times.
Thank you for the inspiring, moving poem which has touched our hearts and conveyed an important lesson to our young pupils.
Lauraine Glazer

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The effect of the poem "Grandmother" on my students.
The first time I taught this poem turned into an unforgettable experience because it happened that only a few weeks before the lesson,the grandmother of one of my students had passed away . She cried and we all did. She admitted that only then she really felt the loss.
One of the assignments that I usually give along with this poem is an interview with the grandmother and in case both are deceased, students may interview their grandfathers or any elderly member in the family.
A student refused to do it saying that he had no relationship with his grandmother because he couldn't just get along with her. I had to talk to him and eventually convinced him to go to her and talk. He felt much better after that. Another girl whose both grandmothers were dead recorded an interview with her grandfather who was very sick st the time. He died a few months later and until now she thanks me for keeping his memory alive through the video that she had recorded. Many have changed their attitudes toward the elderly in general. Students also share information about their grandparents in general following the poem.
Each year I look forward to teaching this poem and seeing its effects on my students. It's a poem that can be taught to generations and generations to come.
Thank you Sameeneh.
Juliet Munayer

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Your poem has inspired many students to stop and think about their grandparents.  Reflect on what they really mean to them and not take them for granted. So many students have thanked me for teaching them your poem,  as they say they needed a reminder to stop and think about their grandparents.
I want to thank you on behalf of all my students

Carol

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Dear Sameeneh,
You poem speaks volumes about aging, family relationships, women's roles within the family,  learning not to take anything in life for granted...and to seize each moment we have.
Thank you for a simple, yet awe inspiring life lesson, which touches so many.
Your message is universal and brings light to our own fallibilities and gives us the opportunity to rethink our behavior.  Life is so fragile and vulnerable and can change within a blink.
Within the lines of your poem, the reader can make lasting and lifelong changes within themselves.
It is so exciting to be able to share our impressions with you!
Thanks Adele, for your creativity and ability to bring people together through literature and art!
Joy Frenkiel

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Thank you for beautiful poem,Avital ,from ,Israel.

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Salaam
In February 2014,  as I was teaching for the first time “Grandmother” to a heterogeneous 10th grade class at Ort Givat Ram in Jerusalem, I had received a phone call announcing that my mother passed away.

Your poem with its prophetic power comforted me during the mourning period and ever since it has
been included in my teaching program permanently. Thank you, Mrs. Shirazie.
Yehudit Hof

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I love teaching it and was so disappointed when I was told it wasn't approved for the high levels (which wasn't true...). It has an amazing message which I try to convey to each of my classes.
Thanks so much!
Meshulam

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We have been teaching Grandmother" for many years to our 10th graders. The most amazing thing we found out was that after reading the poem, many pupils began calling their grandparents more and became more involved in their lives. They shared these changes in their reflections. We also asked the pupils to write about their grandmothers and they produced beautiful projects. Literature truly educates and touches lives.
Miriam Anastasi

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Your poem, Grandmother, clutches at heartstrings. It speaks a language that is felt, not just spoken. Your thoughts and feelings translated into words left us touched.

Anyone and everyone who has ever taken a loved one for granted, or even while reading comes to the realisation that they can be more, do more, will be grateful for reading your beautiful, eternal poem.

Thank you for writing and sharing your perspective on what being a true listener and attentive family member means.

Words can cross countries, ideologies and build bridges... connecting and forever inspiring.

Much obliged.

Bracha

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Two years ago, we taught the poem "Grandmother" to all English language learners in grade 10. We then visited the children's museum in Holon, Israel to experience what life is like as an elderly person. The students had a chance to try to open a doorknob as their hand shook, had to walk up a staircase with weighted shoes on their feet and had to sort pills out while listening to the order being told very quickly to them. The students were guided by elderly tour guides who sparked discussion and interest. At the end of the tour, students had to sit down and reflect on their day and write a letter to their grandparent. The letters were beautiful and very moving. The poem "grandmother" sparked so much good in our students. We thank you so much.
Tzipporah

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Gratitude Inspired by Reflection

Every time I teach this poem to my pupils (weak and strong alike), my pupils get mushy. "Oh Mrs. you make me feel like I have to call my grandmother now!" Sometimes  they say, "I think I take my grandma for granted".

This level of reflection pushes them to think about the extended family unit.  Often times, they say that they will visit their grandparent and just sit with him/her.  Simply listen and talk. Squeeze in a hug and a kiss.  Finally, they acknowledge how grateful and lucky they are to have such a special being as part of their lives.  In the end, this is exactly what a teacher can only hope and pray will happen.

Your poem helps students to go beyond what's in the classroom. It makes them reflect and appreciate. Thank you for being a facilitator and an inspiration. Thank you for this poem!

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I love the poem because it can help open the eyes of young people to their older family members. Youngsters often have little patience for elderly people because what they have to share with the young people seems so unrelated to their lives. They also do not have patience for the slower pace of the elderly. I have taught this poem many times and the pupils say that they will try to speak to their grandparents more.
Thank you for your lovely poem, it is written from the perspective of a young person, which makes it so powerful for young people when they read it.
Debbie Cohen