Article February 7, 2005 Issue

A WALK ON THE SAFE SIDE

By Karen Van Nort

IT WAS LATE AFTERNOON ON A COLD DAY IN JANUARY. AS I STEPPED OUT ONTO the sidewalk from the store where I had been shopping, snow flurries flew in my face. My husband and I were visiting Chicago on business, and I was planning to meet him back at our hotel in about 45 minutes.

It wasn't too cold, though, to walk the mile back to the hotel, so I headed down Michigan Avenue in a sea of shoppers and people heading home from work. As I walked, I couldn't help noticing the myriad expressions on the faces of the people walking toward me. Some were happy, others looked serious or deep in thought, and many were chattering happily with their companions.

I enjoy long walks and often use my time on foot to pray. So I began praying as I walked toward the hotel. What first came to mind were the various emotions I was seeing on others' faces.