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Anush Avejic
Anush Avejic's blog
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Let Peace Begin with Me
1 star|6 comments|March 20, 2008|594 reads
 
Last night, Ani and I attended a peace vigil in Montrose. It marked 5 years since the start of the war in Iraq.  I was sooo encouraged as we gathered on the corner, about 100 people strong....all ages. 

As the vigil was beginning and people were lighting their candles, I asked the kind old man next to me for a light.  He took out his box of matches.  Carefully lit our candles.  He looked like a grandpa.  A yellow windbreaker, weathered hands.  A thin man with a kind face and quiet demeanor.

People were invited to speak.  About the war.  About patriotism.  About their disappointment in the war.  Just to give their views.  After we heard various people talk, the nice old man spoke.  "My name is Inchekaya...but people can't ever say that...so they call me Inch for short.  I immigrated here from Turkey years ago."  Did I hear him right??  Was this man a Turk??  Someone in the crowd muttered, "Don't tell the Armenians that!"  He addressed the man, "No, the Armenians...they are among my closest friends."  He went on to talk about the war...how we need to start by clearing out the Senate...etc.

But in my head I was in a different thought.  I realized in all my years here on this earth, that this was the very first Turk I had met.  I have to say, I didn't really "meet" him...he offered me a light.  But still.  This was the "Turk" I had so much condemnation and hatred for through my youth.  This is what we have been conditioned to feel.  And there we were, standing on a corner together for peace.

It's got to begin with me.  It's got to begin with each of us on an individual level.  If we want peace...we mave to be at peace.  We can condemn a government for their actions...but we shouldn't have hatred toward one another.  It's wrong.  And a big waste of energy.  It made me think of what we could have achieved all these years if we could have worked toward peace rather than harboring hatred.

I wanted to take it a step further.  I wanted to go talk to the man after the vigil...but he was gone.  But I think it's a step in the right direction.   

 
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LorenDP
 LorenDP
March 21, 2008
Your blog title reminded me of the song that kind of sounds like that...I think it's sung around Christmas time.

"Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me"
mokerman
 mokerman
March 23, 2008

But aren't the Turks pose to be our enemies?

Suzie
 Suzie
March 23, 2008

Regardless, our Lord instructs us to love our enemies:

5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Mokerman, instead of hanging outside of the church, maybe you should come inside and listen to the messages Fr. Vazken delivers.

Susan
 Susan
March 24, 2008

Yeah, "let peace begin with me" is a good song. It's an even greater concept. I think sometimes when we speak of protesting war, or when one mentions wanting peace on earth, it's almost too  extreme, almost laughable to some to hear this desire or wish. I believe the reason is because we are at a place that is so far from it.
If steps are taken rather then giant leaps, it would be more realistic that the ultimate goal could be acheived. Letting peace begin with me is not only taking the step in the right direction it is also  allowing this simple, yet tough concept to permeate deep in one's soul so that the foundation becomes strong. That wonderful thing called forgiveness ties right in here, and if we have the strength and power to love and forgive, we can pass that on simply by practicing it. It could ignite a wildfire-could possibly even move faster then a giant leap! There is no forcing  or shoving it down someones throat it is something we all take on our selves. Imagine if we all took on this personal responsibility.
Letting peace begin with me ...
Tanks Nooshka, for sharing. One of the first turks I ever met was the Dr. who did the amnio on me to make sure all was okay with our baby. And everything was great. Yikes!

mokerman
 mokerman
March 25, 2008
Its cool to be Armenian. I tfink everyone wants to be like us because we are first in everything. One Armenan man's name is even on the moon - he worked for space company Nasa.
Susan
 Susan
March 26, 2008

Ov eh ays mokerman mart? Speaking of peace, what a peace mart!