I stood on the corner this noontime [View All]

[LiberalAndProud]

with my granddaughters, because I had missed the peace rally earlier in the morning.

My granddaughter held a sign which read,
Blessed are the peacemakers,

My sign,
for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5 )

_____

There is a stoplight at the Federal Building corner. Many cars drove by and many eyes read the signs. Some people honked and waved and flashed the peace sign. They really wanted me to know that they support and approve the message. Others simply read the sign, and perhaps I fantasized or perhaps I truly perceived the image of peace taking shape in their thoughts.

One little girl on her way to the circus with her mother, stopped to ask what the sign said. I leaned over to be able to look her in the eye as I recited the words to her. The little girl's mother smiled, the light changed, and they continued on their way.

I was approached by a freepy-creeper who flashed a patriotwarrior.com flyer at me. He appreciated my sentiment, he told me, but I was missing the peace protestors' point. Perhaps he had attended the rally that I missed earlier. I don't know if I was off-message, or not. I let him rant about his friends who are trying to accomplish good things over there for a time. He spoke of a friend who had died over there.

Finally, my head approaching detonation, I interrupted him to say, "Our signs carry the message we are trying to deliver today. That's all we're trying to say." I offered him my hand, which he took, and he said, "I just hope my buddies get home safe." I held his hand a moment longer as I watched him see my eyes fill with tears. I gave his hand an extra squeeze and I said, "Yes, safe and whole," and he continued on his way.

Soon after, my granddaughter desperately needed to get in from the cold, so we rolled up the signs, and headed for home.

____

Maybe, maybe we made some small difference today.

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