Tonight I went to hear three of my little cousins sing with their church choir. I liked the benediction, the message offered by the pastor at the end of the service. “It seems that every year, our wish as we go forth from this service is for peace,” he said. “Peace in Syria. Peace in Jerusalem. Peace in Kabul.” He named many more countries and cities, stopping after “Peace in Newtown, Connecticut. Peace in Washington, DC.”

“The deep peace of the silent stars to you,” he said. “The deep peace of the rolling waves to you.”

And to all of you.

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Photo: Deep Creek Lake, MD, July 2010, with thanks to my super sparkler-wielding cousins.