Grace finds beauty…

Photo: Burnt trees in forest on the floor of Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California

Today is a very sad day here in the US, with yet another school shooting. This is not to downplay events elsewhere in the world, and I won’t use this weblog to spout political opinions on such matters. However, after hearing the news reports, and having several young kids in school, I found myself feeling quite affected. I was quite grumbly and down for most of the day. By the time I got to the gym and subsequently finished my workout, I found that I had selected and played U2’s song, “Grace” probably 10 times over and over. The music and lyrics seemed to soothe my soul, if only slightly.

With due copyright credit to Paul Hewson and U2, I’m posting the lyrics here.
Grace

Grace, she takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name

Grace, it’s a name for a girl
It’s also a thought that changed the world
And when she walks on the street
You can hear the strings
Grace finds goodness in everything

Grace, she’s got the walk
Not on a ramp or on chalk
She’s got the time to talk
She travels outside of karma
She travels outside of karma
When she goes to work
You can hear her strings
Grace finds beauty in everything

Grace, she carries a world on her hips
No champagne flute for her lips
No twirls or skips between her fingertips
She carries a pearl in perfect condition

What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings
Because Grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things

Grace makes beauty out of ugly things