Their joyful enthusiasm gave us all hope for a brighter future.

“Teaching peace all around.

You and me, every city, every town.

One by one day by day,

We are teaching peace

In what we do and what we say.”

The children had an endless supply of charming questions.

It was quite heartwarming to hear the children at the Undercroft Montessori School in Tulsa singing this song and to see that for them it is not only a song but a living reality, a certainty, and a goal at the same time.

Rapt attention was given to the stories of the runners from around the World.

It gives us so much hope and confidence that the harmony spread through out the world through different activities will create a better future. They will grow up with a natural understanding of harmony amongst themselves, people and nations.

“ Peaceful children, Peaceful World.”

We are very grateful to Lori Karmazin and the other teachers and Leanne Huxal the principal, for such a wonderful meeting with the children. After the program of talking and singing with them, we all went outside to raise a strand of one thousand paper cranes that some of the older children have been folding since February.

Ulegbek wears a garland of a thousand origami peace cranes that were handmade by the children.

It was truly a united effort and a labor of love to see what these children can do with the proper guidance and harmonious attitude.

Dan, Mike and Garyn are part of the inspired staff at the Tulsa Boy’s Home dedicated to “Changing Lives for a Lifetime.”

Tulsa Boy`s Home

We did not know what to expect at the Boys Home in Sand Springs near Tulsa. As we arrived something most valuable happened to wait for us. A special group of counselors and a small group of boys met heart to heart with most of our members of the Harmony Team. Our international runners told the group how much they loved making friends all over the world and that this wave of friendship and goodness will someday predominate in this world if we just realize the power of goodness in ourselves and in others.

Sutushti, our Oklahoma coordinator, came out to personaly oversee the wonderful events that she helped to organize.

We then ran with the group of boys ages 10-16 for 1.25 miles in the path which winds through the lovely campus. After the ceremony we were sad to leave because we felt we were leaving our real brothers. But it is only goodbye till next year!!

A special thank you to Dan Sullivan and Mike Murphy in whom one can see so much determination and willpower, side by side with love and concern to give the kids a better world. Keep up this great work!!

The Union High School track team does a few victory laps with the torch.

Our last meeting for the day was with ‘Spike Track Team’ at the track of the Union High School in Tulsa and Coach Randy Maxwell. We were able to watch them training 100, 200, 300 and 400 meter sprints. It was quite impressive as we watched them passing by us so quickly that it seemed as though they created a breeze that made our hair stand on end. We then joined them in some ‘core strengthening’ exercises with one of their coaches.

After their intense workout, we spent a few moments telling them about our endeavors in running for harmony, answering questions and singing our theme song for them. Then we ran one lap around the track together. It turned out to be their `cool down` for the day. They had mercy on us and ran a nice slow pace that we are used to. So also for us it was a most beautiful `cool down` for the day.

After a long day in the Oklahoma sun, a candle light dinner is well deserved and deeply appreciated.

Our dinner was kindly offered by Guldeep Singh at the India Palace Restaurant in Tulsa.

We were treated like family at the superb India Palace in Tulsa.

This most delicious food and the great service was a great way to end the long day of running and meetings with so many harmony lovers.

Pat Pickering at the Super 8 Motel in nearby Sapulpa offered us five rooms to make sure we had a good rest for the night. Pat and her Manager in the evening, Susan, were very welcoming and friendly this year as in the past. We are very grateful to them for such nice accommodations once again.

Sutushti, Anja and Arpan

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