EDITORIAL Henry Maier, “Doctor of Science”! Every field of human endeavor has its legendary, almost magical figures of universal admiration, its giants, its role models, through whose examples the best the field has to offer is represented. The Babe Ruths and Lou Gehrigs, the Mahatma Gandhis and Martin Luther Kings, the Galileos and Albert Einsteins epitomize entire domains of human achievement. In child and youth care work, we are fortunate to be able to look for this kind of concrete and symbolic conceptual and practice leadership to the Fritz Redls, Eva Burmeisters, Janusz Korczaks, and Al Trieschmans—and to Henry Maier, who continues to grace our conferences and our publications with his presence and his participation, making what we do larger and enhancing its impact through his example and his teachings. The University of Minnesota, where he earned his Ph.D. degree at the School of Social Work in 1959, has now crowned his achievements with its highest award, an honorary Doctor of Science degree, in recognition of his contributions. It seems fitting that we take note of this in Child and Youth Care Forum, a journal that he has supported, contributed to, and in myriad ways helped to build and to shape throughout its 30 years of existence. As the most direct beneficiary of his efforts in this direction, I am pleased to be able to mark his contributions here. Almost a decade ago, the editors of the Journal of Child and Youth Care, Gerry Fewster and Thom Garfat, were kind enough to invite me along with other colleagues to contribute to a special issue of that journal designed to honor Henry’s career and to explore his influence on the field and on their work.* It seems to me that what I wrote at that time in tribute to Henry fits this occasion as well, and I am appreciative that they have allowed me to reprint it here. The format, a poem comprised of 16 limericks, was chosen in part to reflect Henry’s playfulness and sense of humor, but each stanza was designed to reflect a key element in his thinking and his teaching: his *Readers interested in obtaining copies of that special issue of the Journal of Child and Youth Care (Vol. 8, No. 2, 1993) should inquire of Pam Botteril by e-mail: Botteril@ mala.bc.ca. Child & Youth Care Forum, 29(6), December 2000  2000 Human Sciences Press, Inc.

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enthusiasm and zest for life; how he transcended the boundaries of his social work profession to champion professional child and youth care work; his spirit and leadership; his position among the giants of the field; the idea that development is fostered through relationship-based interaction rather than by simple didactic intervention; the importance of play—even a little nonsense now and then—in building relationships and a healthy outlook on life; the importance of attending to time and the rhythms of life; the importance of private, shared, and public space; the importance of sheer fun, or joyous abandon; the need to listen to the truths that young people tell us about themselves and their world, even (especially?) when these seem to be obscured by their behavior; teaching by example and through shared experience; the importance of both interpersonal attachment and personal autonomy; Henry’s accession to a new level of leadership in our field following his first “retirement”; the popularity and significance of his renowned workshops; his legacy for the future; and our appreciation for all that he has done for us and, through us, for the young people in our care.

“Owed” to Henry Maier Our field has a friend in the West Through whose love and whose help we’re all blessed! His name’s Henry Maier, That inveterate player. May we all learn to live with his zest! Social work was the name of his game, And he hoped ours would be just the sameBut he had the vision To promote a revision When that proved too narrow a frame. He believed, and he answered the call. His spirit inspired us all. He found he belonged, As the rest of us thronged, And he taught us how to walk tall. Succeeding Al, Bruno, and Fritz Is a challenge. We all know that it’s Not easy to find Another such mind, But on Henry that shoe surely fits.

Editorial

He gave us an insight that’s rare Into the deep core of care That we tap by relating And rarely berating. Development wells up from there. He shows us the value of play Both for kids and for us, every day. The importance of happiness— Even some sappiness To make life a learning pathway. He teaches the value of time, How rhythm can help us to climb From the depths of despair To breathe the free air When one feels secure. It’s sublime. He teaches the value of space, Of beauty, and “owning” one’s place. It helps children grow (And us, too, we know) With confidence, joy, and with grace. He shows us the value of fun, The freedom to play and to run, To turn oneself loose Like a duck or a goose, And go quacking along in the sun. [Alternative line, if I dared: “And go quacking, just quacking a pun.”] He teaches the value of youth Even when they’re a little uncouth. We can always depend On them, now ‘til the end To force us to deal with the truth. He shows us the value of teaching Through games and through doing, not preaching! To facilitate growth For the kids and us both, So we’ll go through our lives ever-reaching.

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Attachment, for you and for me, Is important, as is to be free. We need both, he knows So that each of us grows, And to learn just how good life can be. Just when Henry was reaching his prime (We thought this was some kind of crime) He said he’d retired! (And that’s when we hired Him to be our guru full-time.) For his workshops we don’t dilly-dally. We run! From the bedroom or galley, We don’t have to be sent, or Cajoled by this mentor. ‘Round his clarion call we all rally! He challenges us to continue The perspective he’s gotten us into. He gives us assurance We have the endurance: “I knew that you all had it in you!” And so we thank Henry today For showing us always the way To do our work best So the kids will be blessed. Only thus can we ever repay! J. B.