Ugly headlines need not penetrate the heart

By David Murray

I am by nature a backslider, and I'm good at it. Hence, after a particularly long spell of avoiding church, the need was pretty strong. Dutifully trundled up with wife and offspring, I bowed my head in gratitude, then lifted up my voice in song, and felt the refreshing of the spirit, washed as with a stream.

This was a Sunday morning of family joy (take that, Wallace Stevens). Until, that is, I stopped in the Safeway parking lot on the way home

I had to run in for orange juice. "Just a second, honey," I said as I dashed in. Five minutes later I emerged, bag in hand, strode brusquely to the car, and could sense my wife and children stiffen as I jerked the handle, dropped into the seat, turned the key, and quickly pulled out into traffic. Something had changed.

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