ONE LOVE
Yesterday was Thanksgiving, arguably the best holiday of the year if you live in the States, a time to put aside our differences and give thanks for the many blessings that have been bestowed upon us. My kids were all home, sleeping under the same roof for the first time since the last holiday, always a bonus and enough to buoy me for weeks after.
The day felt like a living thank you note to the universe and I moved through it with a full heart, grateful for the many moments I often take for granted: the first sip of coffee; the gym where my daughter and I punched and kicked our way through an hour of body combat (not with each other — it was a group fitness class); to the healthy smoothies I made after the gym that didn’t even taste like they had spinach in them (!); to the food prep for 25, a mixed-media of friends, family, and significant others who chose to spend Thanksgiving with us, lining tables that spilled out from the dining room into the living room; to the lovely meal which I enjoyed slowly for a change, preferring conversation to running around and making sure everything was just so; to the lingering conversation after dinner over Proper No. Twelve (Conor McGregor’s new Irish Whiskey) while planning the venue for the next holiday (it’s good to think ahead); for the time spent in front of the fire with the kids, watching a movie; to the last moments before sleep, holding my husband’s hand in the dark, whispering words of gratitude for this often crazy, chaotic, confusing, often amazing and always on purpose life of ours.
All of which leads me to today’s #WATWB, a story about Koolulam, “a social musical initiative aimed at strengthening the fabric of society.” Their tagline is: Singing is Believing.
On June 14, 2018, Koolulam gathered 800 people — Christians, Jews, and Muslims, at the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem. It was Eid al-Fitr, the last night of Ramadan, the Muslim month devoted to fasting and introspection. Tickets to participate in the event sold out in 7 minutes.
The singers were separated into sopranos, altos, and baritones; they started rehearsal at midnight and spent 45 minutes learning their parts to sing Bob Marley’s, “One Love.” By 3:30 a.m., they had completed five takes of the song.
One love…
One heart…
Let’s get together and feel alright.
I dare you not to be moved by the finished product.
Today is the last Friday of the month, and I am sharing this good news story as part of the #WATWB — We Are the World Blogfest.
This month’s cohosts are: Damyanti Biswas , Lizbeth Hartz, Shilpa Garg, Peter Nena, Simon Falk
If you’re interested in joining our Blog Hop, the guidelines follow:
1. Keep your post to below 500 words;
2. Link to a human news story on the last Friday of each month that demonstrates love, kindness, humanity, support, open-mindedness, you know, that kind of stuff, but no proselytizing, preaching or inconsiderateness toward others;
3. Post on the last Friday of the month in sharing the good news. No story is too big or small;
4. Place the WE ARE THE WORLD Badge on your sidebar and help spread the word on social media. Tweets, Facebook shares, G+ shares using the #WATWB hashtag through the month most welcome;
5. Read and comment on others’ posts, play nice, and make friends;
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pam lazos 11.29.19
Green Life Blue Water 
Oh wow, how did I miss this? I wonder why it never made it to News programmes. Thank you so much for sharing it.
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🙏❤️
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These are the kinds of moments I savor too, Pam…just the quiet moments of being together, enjoying sweet food with sweeter company. xxxxxxx Hope you had a lovely Christmas and have a blessed New Year! xxxxxxxx
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Ah, yes, it’s been a lovely time although I’ve had like zero time to work on my novel which I had hilariously promised myself I would advance during this break. Ah well, some things, like spending time with family and creating lovely memories are more important, I believe. I could do with a few fewer desserts though. ;0) Hope your holidays have been merry and bright, Jean.
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LOL! Oh heavens, don’t I know it. I was determined to finally get cracking on the edits for the second fallen princeborn novel, buuuuuut that didn’t pan out.Like you say, though, the family time is too precious to deny, so I’ve been enjoying it as much as I can…. and waaaaaay too overladen with desserts. 🙂 xxxxxx
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😂😂😂
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Wonderful Pam
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Thanks, my dear. ❤️🥰
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Beautiful… 🙂
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H Pam! I follow you from my Art Gowns blog, now following from my GLAM blog.
That is one amazing video from a fantastic happening. I can hardly wait for the rest of he world to catch up!
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Me, too, Resa! And how many blogs do you have?!?
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Well…. 3, but I’m fusing 2 into 1. I changed the name of “Graffiti Lux and Murals” to Graffiti Lux Art & More”.
My 3rd blog was for writing, but I’m moving everything over to GLAM, where I post all arts, mostly by others…. and still largely Street Art.
Art Gowns is my main baby, as it is all my art.
I do have a website, but it’s for work and not a blog. https://resamcconaghy.com/
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Busy busy lady!!😘
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What a wonderful Thanksgiving, Pam. I loved every moment of it with you.
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Aww, thanks, Jacqui!😘
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Wow, Pam, that video was so moving for sure. Maybe there is hope for us. Your Thanksgiving with the family sounded wonderful and what Thanksgiving should be. 🙂
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Thank you, Michele. It was a divine holiday. 🥰
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Pam my darling, i often think people I have met here are much more supportive than those I ‘know’. And I am so grateful for your friendship. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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🥰😘❤️💝🌈🎁👏👏👏
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Hi Pam – that’s just brilliant … I loved learning more about it – while the music and singing is quite extraordinary – so moving. Perfect for the world today – let’s hope ears are open …excellent #WATWB … cheers Hilary
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Thank you so much, Hilary. I totally agree!!
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The faces of those singing were infused with one love! Thanks Pam, lovely video. Your Thanksgiving sounds blissful! Have a great weekend xx
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I thought so, too, Susan. And the conductor was pure energy!
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What a powerful and heartfelt rendition of Bob Marley’s song, “One Love”!
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I know, I just love it, Rosaliene!
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Hey there, Pam. That’s a great video. Very, very inspiring.
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Wouldn’t you just love to be there, Neil!?
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It would be something else.
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A lovely post Pam, to be thankful for the simple things in life…which are not that simple at all but things we often take for granted xxx
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I am grateful for you, too, my dear Shey. Funny how you can be so fond of people that you never actually met in person! 😘🥰
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