I’ll be honest with you. This ol’ world seems to be traveling in a handbag on a straight path to a place with a blistering climate where they don’t serve sweet tea and the Saints never win the Super Bowl.

Working at a newspaper, it’s hard not to be inundated with bad news. A U.S. soldier raped his 9-month-old daughter. Country music fans were shot to death at a concert. Families were slaughtered while praying in church.

It makes me wonder where the good is in the world.

Then I see it. The good is there, we just let ourselves get blinded by the evil sometimes.

I saw it Sunday in baby Owen’s smile. I sniffed it in his fresh washed hair and felt it when he leaned into me and cooed, trusting me to hold him safe.

I bet you’ve seen it too, if you were looking hard enough.

It’s in the waitress at Waffle House who has the sense to work nights if that’s what it takes to stay out of trouble.

It’s in the bank president who likes to visit an old man just to sit and talk a spell because he realizes that there’s a lot of wisdom behind those wrinkles and smile.

It’s the people who make biscuits at 3 a.m. to feed half of Brookhaven, but close their restaurant early to pay respects to a much loved customer.

It’s in the young girl who organized a fashion show to raise money to fight a disease that may never be cured — one that killed her grandmother and has threatened four of her aunties.

It’s in the fireman who opened a gym for women so he can help them make a difference in their lives. It’s in the women who have discovered their own confidence — and the beauty within themselves — through his encouragement.

Don’t cower when evil raises its ugly head to strike. Look around and see the good. It’s there. And if you don’t see it, be it.

Managing editor Donna Campbell can be reached at 601-265-5304 or donna.campbell@dailyleader.com.