Send your peace globes to
blog4peace @ yahoo.com

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

The Eve of Dona Nobis Pacem

This is Mimi Pencil Skirt reporting live from the lovely land of the Peace Globes.

It wouldn't be BlogBlast For Peace without Annelisa's sunrise photography. Taken in East Sussex, United Kingdom, she has a way of bringing peace through the lens of her magic camera. Though this is her neighborhood in the United Kingdom, it also reminds me a bit of Bloggingham Palace. She is a true blue peace blogger and I am proud to call her "my friend from across the pond."

Dawning anew for me this year is the story of my Papa's marbles, seen here in a wooden bowl that still sits atop my piano. If you are a veteran peace blogger, you have read the story that unfolded, as written below, on the very first BlogBlast Eve in 2006. It was four hours 'til midnight and I had no peace globe post. Until.........
.......I received a loving, gentle tap on the shoulder by someone I loved and lost, and a simple bowl of rocks changed my mind forever about the absurdity of a notion called coincidence. I am still amazed at how the story of the Peace Globes really began. Many of you are posting a globe for the first time today and do not know this story. For you, I shall tell it again. And for those who began this journey with me last year, thank you for allowing me to re-introduce you to this honorable man. I am proud to know you. So is he.


The Silence of Peace
 (Papa's Marbles)

They've been sitting on my piano for more years than I care to count - on the corner of the Kohler and Campbell my grandfather gave me when I was fourteen years old. After he died, I found them in a tattered and dirty bag at the bottom of a box full of his personal things. He wanted me to have them. His marbles.

Handmade roughhewn marbles crafted from rock by my grandfather and his brothers. The year was 1920 and there was no money for toys.
I often wondered why he didn't leave them for a male member of the family. Honestly, folks. It wasn't until just tonight - the eve of
Dona Nobis Pacem in the blogosphere

- that I discovered the answer.
I know stranger things have happened.

I just can't recall when.

I knew this post would not be written until the last moment. I made lots of notes but I just couldn't quite make it happen. It is still a little while before midnight in my part of the United States and I'm supposed to be spinning out a masterpiece of goodwill and peace prose - maybe a stunning poem like those we've already seen. A song, a lyric, a new tune.

Instead, Mimi Pencil Skirt wants to talk about rocks.

So I went into my study and began to polish them. One by one. The bowl, the piano, the granite. How many times have I sat at that very bench and casually glanced into that bowl? Thousands. Song after song.

Tune after tune. Lesson after lesson. Tear after tear.

He didn't have a lot of money it seems to me now, my grandfather. At the time though, he was the richest man I knew. And he has been on my mind this week more often than not. Well over six-feet tall and always impeccably dressed, my Papa was the most humble man I've ever met.
When he passed away I met scores of people who told me what he'd meant to them. "He helped me when I needed money....." "He gave me his shoes...." and on and on.

His kindness was not news to me. The fact that a large portion of the town showed up at his wake was, however, a stunning surprise. I didn't know I'd been sharing him all those years.

He made me feel as if I were the only one in the world.

Strange, those marbles. All different shapes and sizes. Colors, too. Yet they've co-existed for years right there atop the long- lovingly- played strings inside my piano - the one Papa used his savings account to buy for me - while he worked two jobs at the factory and made time up on Saturdays when he missed work hours to drive me to my lessons.
I was a bit different. Artistic. Content with solitude. Always writing in endless journals and playing broody piano music. Papa didn't pamper me - even though that's a disputed fact to this day in my family.

What he did was more earth-shattering.
The one on top. That one.

Different... that one. I know that's the very one he made.
I'm sure of it.
When I think about peace and what it means to me, I always wander back to a time when I first felt it. Because I know on an unconscious level that world peace cannot - will not - be achieved without inner peace. Adversaries on both sides of the conflict have to have it. You can't weave magical tranquility out of thin air and conferences. Peace is a state of being.
It has a life of its own.  Real lasting peace is born of creative jumble and hard work. Victories are never won by the one who has the most power - wars are won; but not a state of peace. Nothing good can ever come of power at play for the sake of power.
It never lasts and there's always a price.
Papa's Marbles. Not a pretty one in the bunch.
Every one brown or taupe. Almost every one.

I started thinking this week about those times in my life
when I first felt real peace.
For me, it came in the presence of God at an early age. Not because I am privileged or special. But simply because I was loved. Unconditionally.

Sometimes it takes just one person
to unlock magic in someone else.
I watched that kind of magic flow through my grandfather's life.
He was in tune with who he was. He knew the simple meaning of love.
He knew how to pray.

I often wondered how other people sensed that about him - without the benefit of those life-giving hugs he saved just for me.

He chose the color himself. Papa.....he must have spent hours honing that rock.

I often went with him to backwoods church services. Informal revivals, formal services, anywhere there was special music and a spirit of God - he was there. I can't explain it really. We would visit churches and the minister would ask him to lead the invocation or say the benediction - even though they'd never met. How did they know he could pray? I knew he could pray......but how did they know?

Taking his hat off and bowing his head, he would very quietly hold audience with his Maker. It didn't matter how many people were listening. His prayers always began the same way......"Dear Gracious Heavenly Father......"
No matter where. Or with whom. Or in front of whom.

Hat in hand. Head bowed. He knew how to reach God.
And people sensed that when they met him.
If peace can be worn like a garment then he was always finely clothed, my Papa.

One night he took me by the hand and led me to the altar with him. He knelt down on one knee, elbow resting on the other and silently voiced his heart. I was right there! I heard the whole thing and he never said a word.
He made them with his own hands. He molded them into shape.
Created them and lovingly took care of them. He chose the color.
Not a sonata or a novel. Certainly nothing brilliant or fancy.
Just ordinary marbles.

Tonight I'm sitting at my table writing stories on an electronic device that sends messages to a guy in Canada about globe graphics and insomnia, making pots of endless coffee to stay awake, answering emails from Germany, London, China, New York , Oman and beyond.

Could Papa have ever imagined such a thing?

Did he?

What was he praying about all that time anyway?

Papa's marbles.....There's something odd about them.Oh forget about it. They're just a bunch of rocks. You've got a story to write. Can't you think of something brilliant? It's past midnight and everyone has their peace globe up but you.

I struggled. There's something missing here, I thought.
It's about Papa. I can't stop thinking about him.
What would he say to me tonight? How would
he pray?The marbles.
Look closer.

When it hit me, I was way past the point of arguing with myself about miracles and such. I've seen too many come through my mailbox today to argue with God about that.
Do you see it?  
The blue one on top.

It looks like a globe.

Dona Nobis Pacem did not start with Mimi. It started in 1920 when a little boy in the rural southeastern United States decided to shape a small blue marble - for his granddaughter.




37 comments:

RUTH said...

See you tomorrow :o)
Peace and Love
Rx

Travis Cody said...

I love this story. I'll sign Mr Linky later tonight after I post.

Odat said...

Getting ready for the big day....
Peace

Durward Discussion said...

I just did a google search for ("Dona Nobis Pacem" Peace Globe. If all 15,100 that are already up visit, it could get kind of crowded in here, and this doesn't cover the ones who might have put slightly different terms in their labels.

My globe is up now and the story will be up tomorrow.

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

Twas the night before peace globes
and all around the earth
people were busy
designing Peace Globes with mirth...

They had heard of a marble
all big and blue
they heard the story of Papa
and all that he knew

Mimi was reciting
the story with glee
how Papa would teach her
and she would make the world see

Peace is a hope
a solemn wish and a dream
some think it is untouchable
like a single marble trying to stop a stream

But Papa and Mimi
came together as one
and spread the word throughout our world
that peace can be won

Add your Peace Globe to the others
pile them up wide and high
If we all do so together
We can make a statement - give it a try

So tomorrow listen closely
if you can drown out the clatter
you might just hear Papa speak
and that is all that will matter

You will hear his voice clearly
and together with might
we can all shout to the word
Peace Globes for all
and to all a PEACEFUL NIGHT!


2007VEM

Mimi Lenox said...

Ruth - I will have a look! Thanks for dropping by.

Travis - Your writing is always intriguing. Waiting with glee....

Odat - Dancing your way to peace I see! You make me smile!

Jamie - Do you think I need to order more cookies?

Mimi Lenox said...

Bond - I love this. The thought of them all piled up to stop a stream of war is indeed inspiring. ...."you just might hear Papa speak..." you say?

You just might.

Akelamalu said...

I love reading this story. God Bless your Grandfather and you Mimi.

I've signed Mr. Linky and I will post my Peace Globe before I turn off the computer tonight - it's still the 6th here. xx

MaR said...

I remember reading this lovely story... !

TopChamp said...

Hello - I'm not providing much by way of inspirational chatter but I've a post up and will do another in the morning.

Margo Moon said...

Here's hoping three cowgirls can do this movement proud tomorrow.

And, please, Mimi. Yes, on the more cookies question.

Queenie said...

Globe done. Good luck for tomorrow.

Robin Lee Sardini said...

What a thoughtful man to leave such a treasured legacy for you and to inspire you to build this legacy of peace for the world!

Annelisa said...

Ah, Queen Mims, you never fail to inspire. Even in the thick of NaNoWriMo (and I remember well how you begun this a year ago, and forfeited it to concentrate on Blogging for Peace) I'm still drawn to your site to soak up the feelings of goodwill, love and kindness wished by so many.

As I say, you inspire, m'dear, and your inspiration has that little blue marble rolling down the hill; gathering belief in goodness, and sincerity expressed with words and pictures... and that seemingly simple marble's gaining momentum... and layer upon layer is building to become a ball... and is turning that dream of your papa's and of yourself into reality.

I wish you every best wish of happiness and peace for tomorrow, Mims. I'm out for most of the day, but I'll be back tomorrow night to immerse myself in what can only be described as a pool of tranquility and hope.

You take care, sweetheart - get some sleep tonight... you're going to need it!! :-D

Annelisa said...

BTW - love Bond's poem! :-)

Annelisa said...

Dona Nobis Pacem has begun at the Greenwich Longitude... and so the day begins...

My globes are up. If I get a chance to write something i'll do it tomorrow (or rather tonight)!!

Have a great day!

Mom Knows Everything said...

I did it, I hope I did it right. I put the post up and changed the date so that it will be posted after midnight.

Tarheel Rambler said...

Left my link, and I sent you my Peace Globe the other night after the chat. Hopefully you got it. If you can, send me a blue t-shirt.

Toffee K. Ripple Fuzzypants & Feline American Angels said...

This is a lovely story and it never fails to make me think.

Oh, and I'd LOVE a little pink cat-sized t-shirt for my bloggie, please!

DMM

jmb said...

Hi Mimi,
I will be posting at midnight PST. Wishing you a great success.

Julia Phillips Smith said...

Hi Mimi - I signed up thinking I would join this first Blogblast For Peace (for me) because it's taking place on my husband's birthday, and I thought that was very beautiful. But the 7th has crept up quickly and I'm not ready to do it this time. I'll keep my eye out for your next one, which I will definitely join.

Peace to you and blessings to all. Thanks for sharing that story again for all the newbies. I'm glad to have met your grandfather through his globe marble and your story.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely day. I love this story! :)

I can't wait to see all of the globes flying. I've got mine posted.

Anonymous said...

Hi Mimi! I have mine up, and I'll be by tomorrow. :-)

Patti said...

I love the story about your Papa, Mimi.
Bless you for doing this.

I am about to post my globes...

Best of luck ~ See you tomorrow

Me. Here. Right now. said...

I am stoked to be posting for peace tomorrow. Thanks!

katherine. said...

Mimi - I love this story about your Papa...what a blessing! You too girl....you are a blessing.

See ya manana....

Mary said...

I love your story as well, and I love your mission. :) Mine is up.

NOLADawn said...

I love reading this story each time, better than Twas the Night Before Christmas! Bond's update is better :)

Peace my friend.

Anonymous said...

We have ours up this eve. Important as always. Thanks for doing this!

Anonymous said...

My peace globe and prayer for peace is up on Endangered Spaces blog. Click my name to go there.

Thanks for doing this, Mimi.

God bless us all.

R said...

Hey Mimi, hope you received my peace globe.

Lara Croft said...

Mimi - I have never been so pleased to be a part of something. Thank you for wanting the "100 Dolls In A Box". You are bringing us out of our 'boxes' and bringing the world closer to understanding. With love & Peace - L

exskindiver said...

let it begin with me.
hi mimi.
peace always.

Julie Pippert said...

Really, really moving.

I've got the Hump Day Blog Blast for Peace post up and will add in the links as I get them. I also have my globe (up on my blog) and would love to add it to your slide show!

Julie
Using My Words

Julie Pippert said...

Mimi, I can only Mr. Linky my own link. I'll tell the others, but I'll have the links on my blog too.

Julie
Using My Words

Lawyer Mama said...

What a beautiful post!

Mickey's Musings said...

Peace to you and all your loved ones.Thanks also for this great idea.

Link Within



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...