This week has been yet another rife with unrest, which I certainly don’t need to review tonight. But, I will ask, as I often do, for you to step away from the drama in Washington or the horror splattered across your screens or whatever is churning you away from finding some peace. As I write this, I am aware of my privilege to walk away. I can look out my window and easily find solace in a blue forgiving sky. Perhaps, you too can take a break for a moment. Time it if you must. But long enough to breathe.

If you are a Catholic, then perhaps, during this Holy Week you have read Pope Leo XIV’s directive. “Leading up to Easter, the Pope’s Lenten message encouraged listening to the cries of the suffering, using “disarmed” language, and building a “civilization of love” (Winnipeg Free Press). I found the term ‘disarmed language’ interesting; I read further and discovered he means to “replace hateful, harsh language with words of hope, kindness and respect.” A tall, tall, yes, an increasingly tall ask indeed, and even though I am no longer a practicing Catholic, I appreciate his wise words, meant to heal and unite. Of course, once you step outside with a little person by your side, such a lofty directive comes easier.

On any given Monday, this little guy and I traipse about, looking for critters and all the wonders in this natural world that we can find. These two hour jaunts usually follow the same paths, but never involve the same encounters. Today there are bees to observe. He likes to talk to them, watch them burrow into a prickly-pear blossom, all the while chatting about everything else that we pass by. Judgement has no place in his limitless curiosity.

I can’t stop the world as it spins off-kilter, but I can stop the world from darkening his, at least on a random Monday when we walk, if I can remain present, thoughtful, and keep him laughing. We do note patterns and changes, but seriously, we just enjoy our freedom.

This Easter Sunday, which falls in the middle of Passover– another joyous Spring celebration– let us rise with gratitude for family, and realize, that best of all, the present moment is ours to live out as we wish. Armed with that truth, let’s build a “civilization of love” in the myriad ways that matter most.