The times were dark, and the times were light. Despair was pervasive, and hope was resplendent. Suffering happened, and joy abounded. Life with all of its shades, twists, and turns.

We are broken but unbowed. Afraid but bold. Destroyed yet intact. The Teacher bore in his body the marks of his suffering. His message was peace in the face of hate.

Confusion reigns among the destroyers. The good life is meant for good people. Good people is a moving definition. It rains on the just and the unjust. Destruction leaves rubble. It is hard to live among the potsherds.

‘There is a Preacher in the woods that is drawing a crowd,’ Jane said. ‘He speaks of love and acceptance,’ Jane continued. ‘Not just the poor and homeless but middle-class people who have been fired for no reason since the first of the year are gathering to hear his kind words,’ Jane explained. ‘The Preacher speaks of hiding from the coming storm,’ Jane somberly mentioned.

‘Easter is almost here,’ Chet said. ‘I enjoy the sunrise service and the snacks after,’ Chet said. ‘The message of Christ’s resurrection resonates with me at the sunrise service…something about being there before daylight and watching the Sun come up,’ Chet winked. ‘Christ loved everyone not just the privileged,’ Chet noted. ‘Dad made his living by bricklaying and worked from dawn till dusk…he began as a Hod Carrier which was back-breaking work,’ Chet reminisced. ‘His skin was brown and wrinkled from the Sun and he believed that the promise of the United States extended to all in our nation,’ Chet concluded.

‘Gather around and make yourselves at home…my woods is your woods,’ Preacher said. ‘Fear clenches our hearts if we are different…we must normalize caring about people who are different than us,’ Preacher said.