Dorothy Brush "Random Thoughts" Published Dec. 21, 2005

Why is peace so difficult?

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
With God as our Father, brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me

Is there anything more elusive, yet fervently hoped for, than peace? The late author of words above, Jill Jackson Miller, was born in Independence, Missouri in 1913. She was only three when her mother died. The toddler barely knew her traveling salesman father and several years later he married a woman who cared not at all for his two daughters.

Jill was nine when she became a ward of the state. At 12 she was adopted by the family that had adopted her older sister earlier. All her physical needs were taken care of but there was no love. She did well in school, but when she graduated, she hoped to have an acting career and she headed for Hollywood.

She had roles in a number of western movies but there was still something missing from her life. She married and had children but that union ended in divorce. Jill was still searching and her unhappiness ended in a suicide attempt in 1944. She wrote of that event.

"And when I attempted suicide and I didn't succeed, I knew for the first time unconditional love - which God is. God is unconditional love. You are totally loved, totally accepted, just the way you are. In that moment, I was not allowed to die, and something happened to me which was very difficult to explain. I had an eternal moment of truth, in which I knew I was loved, and knew I was here for a purpose."

Life for her changed after that. She married an accomplished musician Sy Miller and together they wrote 85 songs. Then in 1955 she heard an Easter sermon on radio with the message of the importance of each person in creating a peaceful world.

Inspired by that message Jill wrote "Let There be Peace on Earth" and "Let it Begin With Me." She introduced the song first to a group of teen leaders. They gave it an enthusiastic reception and over the years it has become known as the global anthem for peace.

Thoughts of peace on earth have been recorded since the beginning of the written word. From the prophets in the Bible to the verses on Christmas cards, the quest for peace has haunted humanity. Through the ages poets have written on the subject. Albert Tennyson's "The Golden Year," written in the flowery language of the 1800s, expresses similar thoughts to peace on earth as Jackson's song.

Ah! When shall all men's good
Be each man's rule, and universal Peace
Lie like a shaft of light across the land,
And like a lane of beams athwart the sea?

I wish you a Merry Christmas!

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Dorothy Copus Brush is a Fairfield Glade resident and Crossville Chronicle staffwriter whose column is published each Wednesday. She may be reached at ebrush@frontiernet.net