After yesterday's painful reminder of who we can become when fear grips us, I needed to put up this composite photo that shows who we are in our core and the delight we are meant to experience. Yes, I started the day by standing--or sitting, in my case--with other concerned individuals out on the streets on behalf of those who cannot do so for themselves, but then I put my sign in my car and scooted over to the Detroit River to join in a celebration of life not death.

The city of Detroit with all its financial woes has chosen to use some of their precious resources--aided in large part by corporate sponsors--to open up our riverfront to the people. The River Walk, a 3.5 mile (5.6 km) promenade, has just opened to great fanfare. From last Friday through tonight's fireworks, things are hopping down there with free music, carnival rides for the kids, food vendors, and even cooling stations inside the buildings. But most popular of all are these fountains set into the pavement. They shoot water from a matter of inches (5 cm) up to 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters). And it wasn't only kids enjoying that cool water during yesterday's scorching hot temperatures; grandmas and grandpas were out there too. Let me tell you, if my scooter were waterproof I would have been in the middle of it myself!