Making Peace...and Ollie Hammond's

Ollie Hammond's was a great restaurant on La Cienega Blvd. in Beverly Hills. One of the things that made it so great was that it was open 24 hours a day and had killer breakfasts. This was not a Denny's coffee shop either. It was a full-scale restaurant. And in my active theatre days, where you never went to bed before 4:00 or 5:00 a.m., we would invariable go there for breakfast somewhere between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. for breakfast (?) and lively conversations. I am wasxing nostalgic for Ollie Hammond's this morning as I wind up the wee hour dedicated to praying and meditation on and for World Peace.

And this year, as I reflect on 2006, it was really more like Whirled Peas.

Fear not, I am not about to re-hash the events of this year. Been there, done that. A lot. Nope. Today, and particularly this morning is more about a sweet reflection and bringing peace to the whirling dervish that was my life this year.

Haven't lost my touch in that I woke up on my own at 3:54 a.m. Talk about setting an intention. Well, this intention was set in 1986 when this World Healing/Peace event began. And each year I participate. I miss actually going to a church to share it with others; but there is also something so sweet and mystical about getting up before dawn, lighting a candle, wrapping up in a cozy blanket and cat and doing the work.

After Belle and I were complete,I knew that it was time for me to look at the Blessings Book that Pacific Church had created for me as a farewell gift. Rev. Patti had brought it for me on Christmas Eve and I took it home without looking at it. I chose to not look at it at that time because I knew I had to do so when I could be fully present in body,mind and spirit. Because I knew it was the last piece (peace).

My instincts were right on. And within my peace meditation this morning, came the idea that now was the time and I was willing and able to peruse the book.

For those that did not see it or get to add to it (and I would like to make it possible for others to still contribute their blessing or photo to it) it is this beautiful photo album that looks more like a picture frame that holds additional photos. The front is silver and etched with the piece from Corinthians that I often use at weddings. "Love is patient and kind; love is not boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable, angry or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things . . .Love never ends."

It was a lovely way to conclude this morning meditation. I loved seeing all the photos and the blessing cards. This whole book has Rev. Patti's creative touch to it. The blessing cards being the same size as the photos to fit inside so perfectly. Many of the photos were actually taken from what turned out to be my last day on the pulpit at PCRS. Thank you Rev. Patti and to everyone who helped contribute and create this forever blessing. Thanks to the photographers who contributed, too. All of it is so beautiful. And I shed not one tear. Only smiles. It's true, Mr. Lennon, "...and in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make."
Belle insisted on returning to my lap even though I am trying to type on my laptop. She knows where the love is . . . and by her purrs, she feels the peace, too. And let's me know that this posting has come to an end -- like this year. Purrrrrfectly.

Peace does begin with me.