I imagined from the photo, two people meeting from both sides. Each has a legacy handed to them from opposite sides of a great war. It is Christmas Eve and they meet in a church as a soloist sings.
So, who exactly are these people? It doesn’t matter. What matters is leaving the past as past and moving forward into the future — a lesson we all could use, huh?
Adam Ickes brought us this cool pic. Thanks, Adam.
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The woman smiled. “How do you do?”
The man bowed. “Nice to meet you.”
They sat down in the pew.
“Surely He taught us to love one another …”
Her thoughts burned. Blue-eyed devil! Your race imprisoned us. My family suffered for it!
His mind raced. Rodents! Your people used my uncle as a human shield!
“Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother …”
On hearing this, he re-thought. She wasn’t responsible.
She realized it, too. We weren’t even born yet.
Together they wept, holding the other’s hand, hearing —-
“ … and in His name, all oppression shall cease.”
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wmqcolby 
Nice story, a lesson that everyone could learn.
Thanks, Iain. Nice to receive your comments. Thanks for reading.
I liked the idea of this, but it would have merited a piece ten times as long for the realisation to work. Sadly, getting rid of crazy ideas takes a long time
Yeah, and anyone with a lot of issues to work out won’t be changed in 100 words. Still, it’s nice to know.
Meeting 1/2 way. A simple concept that you explained in 100 words but some people couldn’t embrace it in a 1000 years. But it’s worth saying, over and over again.
Tracey
Like I told Neil, you can’t change people in 100 words (although I have seen change happen in a flash in some cases — rare, but true) but it’s really worth sending the message. Some people have to hear and hear and hear before they get it and get it right.
a good start. next time, he’d ask him to meet for coffee. 🙂
😀
Wouldn’t the world be a lovely place if this really happened? A very strong piece Kent, and a worthy one at that. The sins of the fathers have a very long reach. Well done.
As said by Motel the Tailor in Fiddler On The Roof, “Wouldn’t this be a good time for the Messiah to arrive?”
He will, I strongly believe that.
Dear Cuzzin Notnek,
I could hear the carol in the background. How often we sing them (yes Shmuel 😉 ) and not listen to the words. Oh Holy Night indeed in your peace summit. It makes me think of some of the children of Nazi’s we’ve met.
Well done.
Shalom,
Cuzzin Shelley
If only such prejudice could be so easily overcome all over the world.
It has, it isn’t impossible. Little by little.
Powerful message. Written well!
Thanks!
Lovely story and thoughts, Kent. If only more of that took place. Good writing. 🙂 — Suzanne
Oh, they can and have and will. 😉
Wow, the true meaning of being one in Christ exemplified!
Its awesome that they learnt to forgive in church, the right place to learn it!
Awesome!
😉
Love your title!
The true peace summit indeed!
Thanks. 🙂
Oh if only….
… and it can.
Lovely. For once religion unites. If only that happened more often…
Well …. i wouldn’t say it was “religion” necessarily, more of a Person.