« love thursday: so, about that photobomb »
So yeah, remember about a month ago, I got mad about a Florida church? And I asked you all to send me images and words of peace so I could send them on to the church, to remind them that love, not hate, always wins?
Well, you did.
You sent me a lot.
I mean, a lot.
To the tune of about several hundred, I would imagine. Your images came from all over the world. There were images of children, of seasides, of lakes, of rivers, of pets, of clouds and of flowers. And with all of them came beautiful messages of peace: quotes from the Bible, the Qur'an, the Torah; quotes from Buddha, Gandhi, Martin Luther King. And of course, there were hundreds of original, heartfelt thoughts of love and fellowship.
As I went through all of the photos, I couldn't help being overwhelmed with emotion: it's really something to see words after words after image after image expressing peace, even when facing blatant hatred. I sincerely wish you could've all been with me as I went through them. I felt ... hopeful.
Once I collected them all, I wrote a cover letter, so that our intent in sending these messages of peace had no risk of being misinterpreted.
And then Alex decorated the mailing box with hearts and other hopeful images.
So to all of you who sent me these lovely messages (as well as your personal notes), THANK YOU. As you read this, our package of peace is winging its way to Gainesville. I have no idea if our little photobomb will make any difference in the intent of this church to go through with its plans, but as one of you said in your note to me: "Even if it doesn't change the outcome, I know that participating at least changed me."
Amen. Because, ultimately and forever, Love Always Wins.
Happy Love Thursday, everyone. And again, thank you.
Images: Photographed with my Nikon D300, 60mm micro lens.
Song: Imagine, as performed by Eva Cassidy
Thu, September 2, 2010
Reader Comments (47)
Your awesome idea was something so many people wanted to participate in. Thank YOU for being the instigator for peaceful messages.
So lovely. And it does my heart good to know that there really are people out there that care and are willing to do something about it. Bombs Away!
This was an inspired idea that my family (and our local yoga studio) were thrilled to help make a reality. Here's hoping the messages and the images reach the hearts of the Florida church members.
YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!
Wow. What a truly powerful message! I am blown away and, even if it's just for this one moment, completely at peace with everything in my life.
Thank you.
(And Happy Love Thursday!)
http://cantgetthere.wordpress.com/2010/09/02/rule-the-second-love-thy-neighbors/
Perfection.
Thank you.
The people of this world are so beautiful. I'm so glad you gave us a voice too.
Amazing, beautiful, wonderful work, Karen. I didn't really get the idea of the photobomb until I saw these images. They are incredibly powerful. If there is a God, I am sure that this made him/her/it grin.
My post this Thursday is on the unique love of international adoption:
http://morecheese.typepad.com/more_cheese/2010/09/love-thursday-dignity-is-found-beneath-every-human-disguise.html
I wish we could watch the reaction to getting the package. Happy Love Thursday!
http://www.elephantsoap.com/2010/09/love-thursdays-8/
I wish there was a way you could have somehow compiled the notes and images to make a book. What a lovely tribute to peace and love that would have been.
Peace to you - G