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At any given moment, there seems more good to do in the world, more just causes to support, more fruitful activities, than there can possibly be time or energy to do. Sitting, spinning, undecided how best to use my time seems its own kind of violence. Is this a tragedy of the digital age? It is no longer a choice between the moral and the immoral; rather it is a choice between doing many worthy things, each of which bears its own costs.

Tonight, I could have been present at a peace vigil across the river. OR I could have witnessed to a message on World AIDS day. In Beacon, I could have shared art with strangers. Or in the comfort of my home, I could have listened to a radio broadcast on transforming our cities.

Instead I stayed home and did nothing to impact the larger world. There was no question really. It was a long day staring at databases and endless multitasking to manage the restlessness of work. My youngest daughter, Elisa, had her flu shots and crashed on the couch by 5. My husband was working, teaching GED classes as he does on every Tuesday night. So it was just Camille and me. As we ate dinner, she gobbled up my roasted "delicious" (her words!) cauliflower. And as we did homework together, and read a story, she cuddled against me and said, "Mom, I'm so glad we get to spend time together alone." She did not ask to play video games or watch tv once, and I was amazed over and over again at how grown and insightul and compassionate she has become.

When Camille was two years old, we took a trip to our first DC march for peace. She sat on my shoulders then and called out "home". And when she was four, we visited DC again for an inauguration; this time she called out "Obama". There will be time again to march together.

We did not make it to West Point tonight to stand in solidarity with all who have died... and to tell this president whom we love that we cannot abide more bloodshed. That no matter the political ins and outs, we are still hoping for another way....

In any given moment there is more to say than we can possibly say to the world. But there is also more to do and more to say right here in this place. And tonight after all the mental surfing and searching it's just where I needed to be.