Click here to view a photo slideshow by David Sand from the Staff Holiday Party at Prana, 2008.

It was such a delight to be invited to the Staff Holiday Party this year at Prana. All of the staff of the organizations founded by John-Roger were represented, and their joy and laughter resounded through the grand rooms of the Home of the Traveler.

We kicked off the celebration with group Spiritual Exercises in the Large Seminar Room, followed by the traditional forming of a line for the buffet in the dining room. And such a buffet! Kelly and David Funk led the cooking team, and the food was absolutely delicious as well as gorgeous. In the far end of the dining room, John Morton and his team of Leigh Taylor-Young and Nick Segal did their part, serving up made-to-order omelets, and we are quite certain that nobody went away hungry. In addition, there were a surprising variety of desserts on display, enough to round out the meal and have some for later.

Brushing a few crumbs from our clothing, we were called once again to the Large Seminar Room, where we were royally entertained with music, song, and comedy. Our dear Marjorie Eaton presented a beautiful poem on Loving; Jennifer Halet, our resident comedienne, was a huge hit with her presentation of “awards” to the J-R organizations; the Schmaltz Sisters (Barbara Wieland and Penelope Bright) entertained us with songs at the grand piano; members of the University of Santa Monica staff were hysterically funny doing their version of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show;” and Jimmy Ness debuted his newest song, accompanying himself on the guitar.

Following all of this, John Morton spoke to us in the sweetest way, sharing his loving and wisdom, and placing one of his famous Blessings upon the group. We knew the day was complete with “Baruch Bashan,” but people didn’t seem to want to go home. Prana, the Home of the Traveler, affects us that way. Must be the loving.