This was the first time I was working on a comic script, and I was insanely nervous. That I was working on someone as wonderful as Mother Teresa didn't help. That I was working with an artist as good as you (for I googled you and saw some of your stuff as soon as I heard you were to illustrate it), only made it more intimidating.
As I delved deeper into Mother's life, I found that there was too much to write! There were so many things I wanted to say, so many stories to tell, so many people to portray, so many quotes, and so many songs to put in. I agonised over every bit that didn't make it. I can't imagine what I'd have done without Reena at this stage (also at every other stage, but here most of all): probably collapsed into a pool of panic.
When I saw the art though, I was suddenly very happy. I occurred to me that I was fortunate, for the nicest thing about a comic is that it depended not entirely on me, but also on you: and your art took the story up where I left it off, and made it into this lovely, utterly touching thing. Where there were no references, like in Mother's vision, you made the words into this haunting, powerful image. The nuns in Calcutta were all struck by that one page, recognising Mother's words in it immediately.
As I delved deeper into Mother's life, I found that there was too much to write! There were so many things I wanted to say, so many stories to tell, so many people to portray, so many quotes, and so many songs to put in. I agonised over every bit that didn't make it. I can't imagine what I'd have done without Reena at this stage (also at every other stage, but here most of all): probably collapsed into a pool of panic.
When I saw the art though, I was suddenly very happy. I occurred to me that I was fortunate, for the nicest thing about a comic is that it depended not entirely on me, but also on you: and your art took the story up where I left it off, and made it into this lovely, utterly touching thing. Where there were no references, like in Mother's vision, you made the words into this haunting, powerful image. The nuns in Calcutta were all struck by that one page, recognising Mother's words in it immediately.
“The other day I received 15 dollars from a man who has been on his back for twenty years, and the only part that he can move is his right hand. And the only companion that he enjoys is smoking. And he said to me: I do not smoke for one week, and I send you this money. It must have been a terrible sacrifice for him, but see how beautiful, how he shared, and with that money I bought bread and I gave to those who are hungry with a joy on both sides, he was giving and the poor were receiving. This is something that you and I - it is a gift of God to us to be able to share our love with others. And let it be as it was for Jesus. Let us love one another as he loved us. Let us love Him with undivided love. And the joy of loving Him and each other - let us give now - that Christmas is coming so close. Let us keep that joy of loving Jesus in our hearts. And share that joy with all that we come in touch with. And that radiating joy is real, for we have no reason not to be happy because we have no Christ with us. Christ in our hearts, Christ in the poor that we meet, Christ in the smile that we give and the smile that we receive. Let us make that one point: That no child will be unwanted, and also that we meet each other always with a smile, especially when it is difficult to smile.”—Mother Teresa, Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, December 11, 1979
Today marks the centenary of the birth of Mother Teresa, who devoted herself unstintingly to the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta. Her message remains relevant in a broken world: to achieve peace, start at home—not just in local communities, but in the home.
Today marks the centenary of the birth of Mother Teresa, who devoted herself unstintingly to the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta. Her message remains relevant in a broken world: to achieve peace, start at home—not just in local communities, but in the home.
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