In laughter I will find you,
So many joys I will have shared with you,
They will become the measure of our time,
And there will be love between us
And there will be peace between us.
In tears I will find you,
So many times I will have cried for you,
I will offer you my song to ease your pain
And there will be love between us
And there will be peace between us.
In anger I will find you,
So many times I will have hated you,
But your tenderness will disarm me,
And there will be love between us
And there will be peace between us
In losing I will find you
So many times I will be without you,
But the things that you have given will not leave me,
And there will be love between us,
And there will be peace between us
Kathy Galloway
November is the time for remembrance, whether the private memories on All Souls Day or the public recollection on Remembrance Sunday. In this poem Kathy Galloway does not shy away from the difficult emotions. Most, perhaps all, relationships have anger within them, even hate. We betray or belittle each other in little ways, withhold from giving what the other needs or say an unkind word. We provoke anger and we experience it ourselves. But that anger can still end in forgiveness and love.
If we can learn to truly love each other, that love can spread to our friends and neighbours, throughout our communities and beyond. World Peace isn’t all about negotiations between powerful people. It starts with people caring about each other and reaching across the divide. Be the peace you wish to see in the world. It’s all you can do, but it’s enough.
Rev Sue
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 