I am Daniel Zwickel MacJean ben Avram (son of Jean, son of Abraham.)

    Two pacifists met on a civil rights march, from New York City to Washington, D.C., in 1943. Shortly thereafter my father, Abraham met a fellow named Worth Myers in a Quaker Fire Camp while performing service as a conscientious objector.

    In an article about Worth, the reporter wrote of “an older man who inspired his interest in health and vegetarianism.” That man  could have only been my father.

    Worth was one of the remarkable individuals who surrounded my family’s lives, enriching them immesurably, and I see him as emblamatic of those people whose authenticity and integrety, in their persuit for peace and social justice, indeed changed the world, in ways both great and small.

    I was so happy to renew Worth’s acquaintence in the last few years, especially to be reminded of the powerful role music played in his life. A song I would like to share with all of you begins, “It seems to me that you and I could change the world together. We could make it better by being truly who we are.”

    I feel deeply that Worth’s spirit lives in this song.

    In peace with justice,

    Daniel ben Avram

    [This song may be downloaded. Click on the song title here: It Seems To Me, then save to your computer. You may then burn it to a CD if you wish. Share it with my blessings. And, by the way,in regards to the last three lines, in context: The song is part of a larger work, “Metanoia — a Universalist Mass”, and comes just before the Benediction. —Daniel]

      “It Seems To Me”

    It seems to me that you and I could change the world together
    We could make it better by being truly who we are.
    It seems to me, together, we could learn to love a stranger,
    Nullify the danger that confronts us near and far.

    It seems to me, if we could see the wounds that must be healed,
    We’d move our hearts to yield the compassion that they bear.
    It seem to me the earth could be a garden filled with laughter,
    To blossom ever after with a beauty all could share.

    At night I dream, and in my dream above the hills I’m flying;
    Tears of joy I’m crying from the depth of love I feel.

    As I descend a hand I lend to one whose fingers fashion
    Understanding and compassion, with a touch that surely heals.

    Yes, in the end I find, my friend, ‘tis you, my sister/brother.
    We find in each other strength we need to carry on.
    For in your eyes I realize the joy I find in living.
    Now, in wonder and thanksgiving I arise to greet the dawn!

      Peace and love be with you all;
      Grace divine bestow upon you
      As you go forth to live and to serve in truth.


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