Whenever the merry month of May rolls around, I’m mindful that the end of the month presents Memorial Day, a special day to remember that freedom with peace isn’t free.
Many times I find myself singing words I learned as a child sitting with a hymnal in a church pew next to my mother.
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be…
The song was one my mother and I sang together to calm her as she aged with the challenges of dementia until her death in August 2016.
I just discovered that “Let There Be Peace on Earth” was written in 1955 by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson. The collaborative piece was one of my favorites, ranking up there with the messages of world peace and harmony I found in folksongs as well as the music from South Pacific while many of my friends were into rock ‘n roll.
I remember organizing Independence Day Parades for the neighborhood kids in my youth. I also wrote and typed in duplicate with carbon paper an occasional “newspaper” for our neighbors. Of course, I never imagined the spirit of the Rolling Oaks News would be copied years later by Positively Naperville, a monthly publication produced today on a web press for the cost of buckets of ink, big rolls of paper, distribution and mailing. Thank you, advertisers!
(By the way, after years of stable costs, paper products are going up in price. And contrary to some April foolishness under the guise of Harry Potter by our ombudsman, Positively Naperville continues to be an independent, family-run, locally-owned publication.)
My dad, who served in World War II as a Navy Seabee, also shares my fondness for the songs in South Pacific. “You’ve got to be carefully taught” always resonates. And knowing his love for country and humanity, I am happy to live a patriotic community where so many veterans and citizens continually give in service over self, just like my dad who will be 95 years old on May 18.
I also recall back in 2001 when the Rotary Club of Naperville president brought copies of “Let There be Peace on Earth” for our club members to sing together.
All these years later, with so many opinions, outspoken rhetoric and distractions, this publication aims to keep trying to be authentic and peace-loving, using its pages to preview upcoming special events while we cherish our memories, opportunities and experiences.
For several months, we’ve appreciated following the dedication of this year’s Memorial Day Parade Committee and the community’s support for the banner idea proposed by Gloria and Joe Caruso that is presented throughout this May issue.
We also hope general enlightenment, understanding and acceptance will create a better world.
Peace.
– Stephanie Penick
