we took a walk.

chris' brother was married over the weekend and a host of family and friends descended upon new york for the festivities. more on the wedding soon, but for now, there is this:

on saturday, we walked morningside heights and columbia's sun-dappled campus, sweater-bundled and sipping cappuccinos. we talked about paris, about what it's like to live in new york-- in the world -- post-9/11. we talked about how it got to be this way.

words like violence and uncertainty fell from our bewildered mouths. and yet. with each footstep, a thought with far more power resounded: there are still people in the world taking a walk in the afternoon. there are still people in the world seeking, finding, celebrating goodness and hope and joy, in all of life's corners. in cold hands and hot coffee. in the company of loved ones. in the giggles of babies. in kind exchanges with strangers. in marriage ceremonies. in the streets of cities. within the walls of homes.

this violence and uncertainty is the heaviest thing to wrap my heart around, but there is still good. there is still so much good. and, in the words of cheryl strayed, every last one of us can do better than give up.

and that is the thought i have carried into this week. i can do better than give up. it's easy to let fear creep in, to let my mind run wild every time i step on a subway train or chris packs for the airport. but i will not do that. instead, i choose to live, to love, to be helpful, to be kind.