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Increase the peace

January 7, 2011 By Deanna Piercy 8 Comments

Nearly a year ago I reconnected with an old friend from high school via Facebook.  James was one of those people that everyone liked but he was more than just a nice person.  He was gentle, kind, and always smiling.  He had a way of making everyone feel special.  I don’t recall how it started but some of us began calling him Gandhi.  When we connected on Facebook he wrote the following note on my profile page:

Gandhi says hello, and increase the peace.  Do you remember?  I do. Thanks for the good times in Biology class.

I had started to mention the Gandhi thing myself but after 30 years I wasn’t sure he would remember.  I wish I could remember how it started but the important thing is that he was the type of person that deserved a nickname like that.

So why am I sharing all this about someone I haven’t seen in 30 years?  Sadly, James died a couple of days ago.  I’m just kicking myself for not attending our 30 year class reunion but it was Thanksgiving weekend and we had just been to California the week before (and New Orleans just before that) so we didn’t think we could justify another trip.  James spearheaded the reunion planning and even went so far as to help finance part of it in order to make it more affordable for those attending.  A friend shared that when he found out she couldn’t afford to make the trip to the reunion, he (and another kind soul from our class) offered to pay her way.  That’s just a small example of the kind of person he was.  Many classmates are sharing stories about how James helped them or did something special for them. 

I don’t know a lot about his life after high school.  He did tell me that he had gone to law school and had been involved in helping the poor, elderly and disabled.  He also mentioned some “horrible racial experiences in Kansas”, but didn’t elaborate.  A few months ago I had posted a link on my Facebook page to a petition against some hateful, bigoted, racist activities.  James wrote the following:

Deanna, thank you.  I just read and sent a note supporting the actions against the people behaving like this towards other human beings.  Also, I am happy to know someone else from our class fights the good fight for other people.  Even though we may not personally have to deal with some of these issues.  It’s awesome to know you’re unselfish enough to know the hurt it can cause and fight against it.  Again, I thank you.  May  peace be with you and your husband, and may true love’s light always guide your path.  Increase the peace…

Increase the peace.  That was how he signed everything.  That was who he was and what he did.  He was truly a shining star, kind and honorable, generous and good.  He was what we should all aspire to be.  James touched my life many years ago and again briefly this past year.  He will be mourned by all who were fortunate enough to have known him but I know he wouldn’t want us to grieve for long.  I feel certain he would tell us that the best way to honor his memory is to allow our hearts to be as full of love as his was, to treat all with respect, to fight for the oppressed and those without a voice, and to do everything within our power to “increase the peace”.  R.I.P. dear James.  Your life was an inspiration.

*One of our classmates made the page above to be included in the reunion memory book.  
The photo in the middle is the way I’ll always remember James.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: friend, Gandhi, high school, James, memory, peace

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Comments

  1. Valerie says

    January 7, 2011 at 4:26 pm

    Now I miss James and I didn't even know him.

    Reply
  2. Jeanne says

    January 7, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    Deanna,

    What a lovely tribute. I'm sorry for your loss.

    Jeanne

    Reply
  3. April says

    January 7, 2011 at 8:39 pm

    Sounds like a wonderful man, Deanna. Thanks for sharing about him and know that I am praying for all of you who knew him.

    Reply
  4. McKreations says

    January 10, 2011 at 5:00 am

    James was amazing, generous and forthright. Every single memory I have of him flooded back when I found out he had passed away. I regret not going to the reunion, if only to have seen him one last time. Thank you for sharing Deanna.

    Reply
  5. KD says

    January 10, 2011 at 4:57 pm

    Thanks for sharing this, Deanna. I'm so sorry for your loss, and I'm so glad you had the opportunity to be touched by such a kind soul. What a way to honour a person so deserving as this.

    Beautiful post.

    Reply
  6. Cherie says

    January 10, 2011 at 6:50 pm

    Deanna, I'm sorry for your loss – and for what the world lost. I wish I could have known James; he sounds like a beautiful person.

    Reply
  7. Allie says

    January 13, 2011 at 7:47 pm

    It sounds as though James was an amazing man. And it sounds as though he lived a life where he did increase the peace. To spread his word is the most wonderful way to honor him, and by sharing this you're doing just that! I didn't know James, but this post has affected me for the better.

    Reply
  8. Deanna Piercy says

    January 14, 2011 at 11:42 pm

    Thanks, everyone, for your kind comments. I wish everyone could have known James.

    Reply

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I’m Dee, a Francophile with a hippie heart, trying to create a beautiful life in the country while dreaming of Paris.

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