We all know about the tragedy of September 11. 

My hope is that in our grief, we don't close our eyes to the miracles that have arisen out of the ashes.  I'm referring to the way that people have banded together to help each other through this nightmare.  Some of these actions are huge, like saving a life.  Other actions are not so dramatic, yet they are still very important.  Look at how the Red Cross is overflowing with blood donations.  How the cupboards are full at the food banks.  How night after night, thousands of people of all faiths join together to pray.

And it doesn't stop there.  Acts of kindness are rippling all across America.  In my own city of Boston, I saw a manager bolt out of his office to defend his Islamic employee.  I saw synagogues open their doors to people stranded during the High Holidays.  I saw public transit employees work their buns off to evacuate a major city on that dreadful Tuesday.

As I listen to political and religious leaders struggle with the idea of war, I can't help but wonder:  What would John Lennon have said to all this?  John urged us to Give Peace a Chance.  Would he still say the same thing today?

I can't pretend to know the answer.  But I can tell you this.  John never sat on his duff when there was a job to be done.  Maybe I'm crazy, but I have visions of John leading a contingent of volunteers to the WTC.  I see him digging through rubble with his bare hands.  And if they dragged him away from the building, I see him cheering on the rescue squads and handing out provisions.

But that's not all. 

I'd bet anything that by nightfall on Tuesday, John would have completed the blueprints for his new album.  He'd have the band members picked and the studio time booked.  And I have no doubt that every cent he earned would go to his beloved New York.

And how would his fans react to this?  The CD would go platinum before it hit the shelves.  We'd bribe anybody we had to and line up for days in advance to get into any and every Lennon concert.  We'd skip a year's worth of lunches, put in some overtime, or do whatever else it took to participate in whatever brilliant ideas that he could produce.

I don't need to tell you that John isn't here.  But that doesn't mean he can't participate.

You may say I'm a dreamer, but what the heck.  Let's all imagine that John Lennon is here today.  Let's suppose that he invited three of his buddies to participate on his new CD.  Let's say that he's got a concert tour planned, and a movie to follow.  How much would you pay for that?

Whatever that dollar amount comes to, consider sending it to a September 11 charity.  If you can't afford cash, you can pay in blood.  You can pay in non-perishable food.  You can pay in volunteering.  You can donate clothing.  You can hold somebody's hand.  You can pray.

It's easy.  All you need is love, and a tiny bit of motivation.  Think how hard you'd work to get into that Lennon concert.  Now use that same effort to track down a legitimate September 11 charity, help a friend in need, or show kindness to a stranger.  Do whatever makes the most sense and makes you feel good about yourself.

The dream is not over.  We can still have peace.  We just have to work harder.

Lisha Goldberg is a Technical Writer/Website Developer for a Massachusetts-based insurance company. She also writes a newsletter for a Boston piano studio. Lisha has won several prizes for her writing, including the Boston Herald Star Trek Competition (write a eulogy for Captain Kirk!), CompuServe's Beatle Essay Contest, and Writers Digest Magazine Award for best Inspirational Short Story.