Sometimes, I find myself
not wanting to show up and speak out.
Preferring to live my life the best I can
without making anyone mad.
Waiting for things to get better
without me.
Really, what difference could I
possibly make?
But at the same time, wanting so badly
to be part of the solution
(without even knowing how to define the problems).
And definitely without getting my hands dirty.
And yet I find myself once again
on the side of a busy road
trying to respond to what is happening
in my country and the world
in a way that encourages love.
(It seems like there are so many better ways -
I would much rather bake cookies.)
---
There is no shade today.
The sun beats down on our small gathering,
along with the same question, unrelenting -
what difference could this possibly make?
Why am I here? And where's everyone else?
And then, across the road, I see her.
A young girl walking into the restaurant
with her family. She sees us.
An excited smile immediately lights up her face.
She gestures big, with two thumbs up.
Then disappears inside.
She might not be old enough to fully understand
but she's likely old enough to eventually remember.
And so, I am reminded
by a rather small person in a very big way -
this is why I am here.
