Peaceful is possible but it takes time

When I was his age this photo would not have been possible. You see a boy with a football on a damp road. I see my nephew on the road up to Stormont, Northern Ireland's parliament building, strolling in the November drizzle. When I was his age this normal thing to do on a Sunday morning was impossible because of what was called "the Security situation". The 40 years of work, sacrifices, mistakes, visionary leadership, self serving, hope, misery and not giving up in between have made this possible. It  has even become possible for sworn enemies to share in the common good. Let's try to hang onto this as we try to navigate our way towards understanding what to do next in the face of atrocities like the Paris attack. This is going to take time - a lot of time - and work - a lot of work but it is not beyond us. 

 In the meantime, Love to all who mourn.