By Kate Schellie
Bereavement counselor
Skagit Hospice

As Barack Obama takes office, many thoughts and prayers turn to hope and possibility. And always lingering somewhere on the horizon is the ongoing hope and desire for peace.

So here are some reflections on peace — peace in the world, peace in our community, our homes and peace in our hearts.

“A Song for Peace”
Peace of the land, fill me with time
Make me a wing eager to climb.
Make me a tune that’s sung to mend
The wounds of the earth, the loss of a friend.

Peace of the land, cradle and grave
Mountain and sand, billow and wave.
Make me a fire that burns to know
What brought us here, how the tale goes.

Peace of the land, shattered and torn.
Time and again and ever reborn
This is my prayer, as old as man,
Teach us to wear the peace of the land.
— G. Gorman

Chinese proverb
If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person.

If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house.

If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation

If there is order in the nation, there will be Peace in the World.

Line from a song
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.