Our day began with a Peace Day meeting with Mikhail Timonen and his eight of his students in the Republic of Mordovia, Russia. The students in both countries sang “I’ve Got Peace in My Fingers.” I introduced this song to the Russian children last year. Mikhail practiced the song with them many times so that they would be prepared to sing it on Peace Day. They were wonderful! Jackson students showed the Russian children the large Pinwheels for Peace that we plant in our Peace Garden
We sang The Circle Song to the Russian children. The Russian children sang ‘May There Always Be Sunshine” in Russian. Mikhail Timonen in Russian told us about the paintings that the Russian children had painted for us. We thanked them. And finally we sang ‘I’ve Got Peace in My Fingers” one more time, echoing each other. We said our goodbyes in Russian and English. It was a wonderful way to start the day.
Later in the day we had a peace ceremony in the garden. Children planted the pinwheels for peace. We sang our two peace day songs. The children said prayers and said the Pledge of Allegiance. Finally we ended with “I’ve Got Peace in My Fingers” and the children returned to their classrooms.
Thanks to the inspiration of Jeremy Gilley of POD, and to all of the people in the world who participated in this very special day.

Pinwheels for Peace