love peace prayers

What the world needs now is love, sweet love. That is the opening line of the song written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach, What the World Needs Now is Love. Jackie DeShannon was the original recording artist in 1965. Just one year later Dionne Warwick recorded her rendition. Both are soulful and touch a chord deep in the heart.

Enough of the history lesson, and yet, don’t we learn from history? That song was written during the Vietnam War. There was much confusion and strife. The country was divided, and we found ourselves searching for love. So much that entire generations have sung out for the need for love in this world. 

Now it seems we find ourselves not at war with another country but in a battle with our neighbors. There are conflicts on so many fronts. We are struggling. I offer you a way out of the struggle.

It all starts with my dad. After my mother died, he found himself in an unexpected role; a single parent to his four adult children and sole grandparent to seven grandchildren under the age of eight. He embraced this new kind of grandparenting with gusto. He stepped up and became a hero to seven young people, two girls, and five boys. 

We siblings saw a new man as he emerged from behind his newspaper to enter his grandchildren’s lives and hearts. We came to love this new version of Dad, as seen through the eyes of our children.

Dad sent birthday and Christmas cards on time every year. In the beginning, he searched a bit for his identity. That is, he would sign them differently. What started with All my love and Lots of love grew. It seemed as if he wanted to say more. Then we noticed he signed the cards the same each time. Wishing you love, peace and prayers. Dad had found his niche.

Over time his signature evolved into Love, peace, prayers, Dad and/or Grampy. What more could one want? And that is where we begin.

Love, peace, prayers is a concept. It is a wish from one person to another. It is a message of tender affection, mutual harmony, and spiritual communion with God. It is a way of connecting with those around us and with God.

Could it be that simple? Well, that’s up to you and me. We can get out there, one person at a time, and spread the message. Imagine what the world would look like if every person brought love, peace, and prayers into another life. Even better, be the message.  

Let’s go back to that song but change up the words. What the world needs now is love, peace, prayers…

March 21, 2023

Photo credit: Kathleen Culler