Walk anyway …..

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My young daughter asked me to go for a walk on a warm summer evening.

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Shortly before, I had learned of a tragic and devastating loss from the terrorism in Nice, France.

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My heart was broken, I walked anyway.

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My daughter, unaware of the heartache, was full of joy and conversation on our walk. I listened anyway.

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We stood at the top of the embankment looking at the glorious mountains and clouds.

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She said "It's so still".

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My heart was broken.

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I looked and felt the stillness anyway.

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We came home.

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I tucked my little children into bed.

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I placed a kiss on their foreheads, eyelids, cheeks and chin.

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They smiled at me.

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My heart was broken, I smiled anyway.

 

Tragedy, loss, destruction, terrorism are a part of our lives.

 

I will not meet this truth with hatred or fear.

 

I will not crumble, shrink, run away or hide.

 

I will meet life with hope and love anyway.